Eggenberg Castle: A baroque masterpiece in Graz
Eggenberg Castle in Graz is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria and was built in the 17th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and impresses with its architecture and extensive gardens. Architecture and furnishings combine here to create a symbolic representation of the universe, which was built to represent the princely Eggenberg family.
Brief information:
- What is Eggenberg Castle? A historic baroque castle and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Where is it? Eggenberger Allee 90, 8020 Graz, Austria.
- How do I get there? Take tram line 1 to the stop “Schloss Eggenberg”.
- What can I see there? State rooms, the archaeological museum, the coin cabinets and the extensive gardens.
- Highlights? The Planet Hall, the castle park and the pavilions.
- Parking facilities? Visitor parking is available on site.
- How much time should I allow? At least 2-3 hours.
- Entrance fees? Entrance fees vary depending on the exhibition and season, adults approx. 18€. Here you can find all prices.
- Opening hours? Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., from the end of March to the end of October. Here you will find the exact times.
History and architecture of the castle
Eggenberg Castle was planned and built by Prince Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg and his architect Pietro de Pomis. The castle is a mathematically harmonious cosmos, an architectural image of the universe in which the learned builder formulated his idea of an ordered world in an era of chaos and dissolution. This residence served as political architecture and a sophisticated legitimation for the rule of the Eggenberg family.
The castle's main floor has retained its original appearance almost unchanged to this day. The cycle of 24 state rooms with original furnishings from the 17th and 18th centuries is one of the most important ensembles of historical interiors that Austria has. Seldom has a room furnishing of comparable artistic quality been preserved so completely and undisturbed.
The Planetary Hall and the State Rooms
The centrepiece of the main floor is the splendid Planet Hall, which was completed in 1685. With its over 500 ceiling paintings, it is an outstanding work of art from the early Baroque period in Central Europe. The paintings in the Planet Hall show astrological and hermetic ideas, numerical symbolism and family mythology and merge into a complex allegory to the glory of the Eggenberg family.
The palace's 24 state rooms form an almost unadulterated spatial work of art, in which the Baroque and Rococo periods combine to form a precious ensemble of special experience value. The original ceiling paintings from the 17th century were left untouched during the new furnishings in the 18th century. Particularly noteworthy are the three East Asian cabinets with charming painted genre scenes from the Rococo period.
Castle park and gardens
The Eggenberg Palace Park is a spacious area designed in the English style and is one of the most important gardens in the country. The park contains a valuable tree population and romantic gardens. Particularly noteworthy is the rose garden, which is filled with historic roses and is in full bloom in spring and summer.
The park has undergone many changes over time and reflects the tastes of the time. Only a few traces of the Eggenberg princes' baroque formal garden remain. Today, the palace park presents itself as a landscape park from the Romantic period. The garden restoration, which has been carried out since 1993 in cooperation with the Federal Monuments Office, has restored the garden to its original character.
Museums and exhibitions
There are several museums within the castle, including the Archaeological Museum and the Coin Cabinets. These museums offer a fascinating collection of artifacts that shed light on the history and culture of the region. Particularly interesting is the exhibition in the Archaeological Museum, which shows finds from Roman times and offers a deep insight into the ancient history of Styria. The Coin Cabinets present an impressive collection of coins and medals that document the economic and political development of the region.
Tours and visit details
The state rooms can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Tours are offered from Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays and last around 50 minutes. The meeting point is the shop in Eggenberg Palace. Registration is only required for groups, and each tour can have a maximum of 25 participants.
The tours take place at the following times:
– Tue–Sun, public holidays at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
– From May to September also at 5 p.m.
– Duration: approx. 50 minutes
Eggenberg Castle: Main location of the STEIERMARK SCHAU 2025
In 2025, Eggenberg Castle will be the venue for the third STEIERMARK SCHAU. This UNESCO World Heritage site and all of the museums on site offer an authentic view of the history of the castle and its residents. A pavilion will complete the show by translating the world of the Baroque and its challenges into the present and creating a connection to the region and beyond the country's borders.
2025 will mark the 400th anniversary of the decision of the first Prince of Eggenberg to expand the family seat into a representative residence. This is the occasion to dedicate an exhibition to the castle, which offers a new perspective on the castle and its residents.
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