Museum Alte Textilfabrik🏛 museum
A museum located in a former textile factory in the historic town of Weitra.
🌐 textilstrasse.at🕒 Fr 13:00 - 18:00; Sa, Su, PH 10:00 - 18:00
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Weitra Castle
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castle
Weitra Castle, often mistakenly called a ruin, is a magnificent Renaissance castle in the Waldviertel, built upon the foundations of a massive medieval Kuenringer fortress. The town of Weitra itself is considered Austria's oldest brewing town, and the castle served as the region's power center for centuries. Hadmar II of Kuenring founded the site in the late 12th century as a formidable border fortress. In the 16th century, the Fürstenberg family converted it into a Renaissance castle, preserving the defensive bastions which are now among the best-preserved in Central Europe. Today, the castle houses a museum, a brewery museum, and a courtyard theater. Its architecture is noted for the three-story arcaded courtyard and the massive tower providing broad views over the Bohemian-Austrian borderlands. Every year, the Weitra Castle Games take place here, attracting cultural visitors from across the nation.
- Location: Upper Austria, Austria
- Top sights: Museum Alte Textilfabrik · Schloss Weitra · Luisen -Stein
- Nearby: Zwettl (23 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -3 | -2 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 8 | 3 | -2 |
| Rain mm | 53 | 41 | 53 | 45 | 93 | 106 | 101 | 103 | 79 | 55 | 46 | 45 |
📋 Practical info
Address
Schloss 1, 3970 Weitra
Hours
Wed-Mon 10:00-17:00 (May-Oct)
Entry
13€ (castle, museum, tower)
Website
Transit
Waldviertelbahn (seasonal) or bus from Gmünd
Parking
Parking directly on the castle grounds.
Accessibility
Largely wheelchair accessible thanks to a lift.
Photos
Permitted in the courtyard, without flash in the museum.
Best time
During the beer festival (Bierkirtag) in summer.
Audio guide
German
Geography
Facts
- The town and castle were founded around the year 1201.
- The Fürstenberg family has owned the castle since 1607.
- The castle features a Baroque theater dating from 1885.
- The bastions stand up to 25 meters high.
- A mobile roof structure is installed in the courtyard for events.
- The brewing tradition has been documented since 1321.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Weitra Castle (6)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Is there a museum in Weitra Castle?
Yes, there is a castle museum, a brewery museum, and exhibitions about the Iron Curtain.
Can you climb the castle tower?
Yes, the tower is accessible and gives a broad view over the Waldviertel region.
Are there castle festivals at Weitra?
Yes, every summer theater performances take place in the covered Renaissance courtyard.
When is Weitra Castle open for visitors?
Usually from May to October, daily except Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Is there a restaurant in Weitra Castle?
Yes, the castle cellar features refined regional cuisine in a historical setting.
Weitra Castle: where is it located?
Weitra Castle is located in Upper Austria, Austria.
Weitra Castle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museum Alte Textilfabrik, Schloss Weitra, Luisen -Stein.
Weitra Castle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Weitra Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Weitra Castle, often mistakenly called a ruin, is a magnificent Renaissance castle in the Waldviertel, built upon the foundations of a massive medieval Kuenringer fortress.
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