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Schallaburg Castle (Schloss Schallaburg)

Schallaburg Castle is situated near Melk Abbey in Lower Austria. Positioned among hills in the Danube valley, Schallaburg castle combines imposing medieval ruins with a splendid Renaissance palace.

Schallaburg Castle History

The high-medieval sections dating from the 11th and 12th centuries are dominated by a three-storey tower house and surrounded by crenellated walls; remains of the Romanesque crypt are preserved under the present chapel. The Losenstein family inherited the castle in 1431. Most of the original fabric was removed when Hans Wilhelm von Losenstein, Lord of nearby Loosdorf and a member of the old Protestant gentry, decided to make his domain an important centre for the Protestant nobility. Continuing work begun by his father, he had the castle extensively rebuilt and enlarged from 1572 to 1600.

At the heart of the Renaissance structure is the great courtyard, the Terracottahof  made  by Jakob Bernecker. The rich terracotta figurative decoration includes herms, caryatids, reliefs, masks and heraldic emblems (many replaced in the 19th century) and presents allegories of the main ethical and spiritual ideals of the period: the Seven Liberal Arts, eight Virtues and the Nine Muses. Aside from the main entrance a vast tiltyard was laid out, and outer fortifications were constructed. In 1614 Schallaburg castle passed to the Stubenberg family, also Protestants, but never again attained comparable importance.

Schallaburg Castle Visitor information

The Schallaburg Castle was devastated in 1945, but it was restored in 1968–1974 and adapted as a museum for annual art exhibitions.

Schallaburg Castle Map&Location

Schallaburg Castle is located near Melk Abbey, Austria.
Adress:
3382 Schallaburg, Austria. Get help with directions using the map provided bellow:


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Schallaburg Castle Photos

SSchloss Schallaburg
Schallaburg Castle

Schallaburg Castle
Shloss Schallaburg - Entrance

Schallaburg
Schallaburg Castle Courtyard

Schallaburg Castle
Schallaburg Castle Courtyard Detail

Castle Schallaburg
Shloss Schallaburg Austria

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