Short Information:
- What is Schloss Hof? A Baroque palace in Lower Austria with an extensive park
- What can you experience there? Visiting the palace is just a side attraction for many. The main attraction is the diverse children and family program.
- What are the highlights? The palace and gardens, the manor farm, petting zoo, children’s theater, and the children and family world in the Bäckenhof
- Where is the palace located? Schloßhof 1, 2294 Schloßhof (you can see Bratislava from the palace park)
- When is it open and how much does admission cost? You can find all admission prices here. One-time admission is free with the NÖ Card.
- How can I get there? From Vienna Hauptbahnhof (with connections in Vienna Simmering, Vienna Stadlau, and Aspern Nord), there are regular direct train connections by ÖBB to Marchegg Station. There is a large parking lot for cars.
- How much time should I plan for a visit? At least half a day
General Information
Schloss Hof is located approximately 20km north of Vienna and is an impressive palace and Baroque summer residence from the 18th century. It is a significant cultural asset of Austria and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Palaces and Parks of Schönbrunn, Vienna.” Visitors of all ages can experience and enjoy the history and culture of Austria up close.
The palace was built as a hunting and country estate for the military commander Prince Eugene of Savoy and was expanded by Maria Theresa into the largest country palace complex of the Habsburg monarchy. The complex consists of three main areas: the magnificent palace, the unique Baroque gardens, and the idyllic manor farm with its animal and plant life.
Schloss Hof offers a wide range of events, guided tours, and workshops specifically designed for children and young people. Consequently, families are the main visitors here. The large area of animals, the lovingly designed children’s playground, and the changing animation programs for children are particularly exciting.
Schloss Hof is an impressive complex covering an area of approximately 70 hectares. The palace itself has a total area of around 5,000 square meters and is equipped with numerous historical artworks and furniture. The palace park covers an area of approximately 50 hectares and was designed in the Baroque style. Here you will find numerous sculptures, water basins and fountains, a maze, a labyrinth, an orangery, an adventure playground, a petting zoo, an herb garden, a pony riding farm, a festival meadow, and more.
A special highlight for children since 2023 is a bicycle parkour track. The bicycles (balance bikes are available for the youngest) are provided free of charge on-site. However, the seat heights are not freely adjustable without an Allen key, so sometimes you may have to wait for a bicycle in the appropriate size for your child.
The Palace – Interior
Inside the palace, there are magnificent rooms to visit, adorned with valuable paintings, sculptures, furniture, and art objects. Particularly noteworthy are the Imperial Apartments, the grand hall, the Maria Theresa Apartment, the chapel, and the Sala Terrena, all of which are designed in the Baroque style. In the lavishly furnished rooms of the palace, you gain insight into the royal living dreams of bygone eras.
The majestic rooms of the first floor are accessible through the staircase. The tour of the palace begins in the north wing, where you can find the former residential apartment of Prince Eugene, which was later redesigned for Emperor Joseph II. The east wing extensively pays tribute to the art-loving military commander Eugene of Savoy and offers a wonderful view of the magnificent garden. After visiting the chapel and the grand hall, the path leads to the south wing to the chambers of Maria Theresa.
Attention: Unfortunately, photography is not allowed!
The Garden
The Baroque garden consists of seven terraces gently sloping eastward towards the March River. Due to its location, it provided a perfect opportunity to create a garden in the French style. With the help of architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt and gardening engineer Anton Zinner, Prince Eugene had a significant garden created on seven terraces in a short time. The garden was symmetrically designed and included numerous fountains and sculptures paying homage to Prince Eugene.
At the end of the terraces, you will find a maze with a viewing tower. The labyrinth may not look very large, but it takes about 15 minutes to find an exit again.