When you stand in front of Kreuzenstein Castle in the Weinviertel for the first time, you’re sure to expect a knight to gallop across the massive drawbridge at any moment. The thick walls, the moat— everything looks incredibly old. But honestly: The complex is actually a gigantic architectural puzzle that was rebuilt not too long ago .
The polar explorer Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek apparently had quite a lot of time and money in the 19th century. Starting in 1874, he collected original historical building components from old castles across Europe and had them simply rebuilt on the ruins of the old castle near Vienna—which had been destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War—to house his gigantic art collection. Kreuzenstein is thus a “best-of the Middle Ages” and significantly younger than it appears at first glance.
Hollywood vibes instead of real ruins
It is precisely this clichéd, immaculate appearance that is the reason why international film crews love the castle so much. Kreuzenstein simply looks better and more complete on camera than real, crumbling ruins where half the walls are missing.
As early as 1993, Charlie Sheen and Kiefer Sutherland fought here in the Disney hit The Three Musketeers. In 2019, Henry Cavill, as Geralt of Rivia, fought his way through the castle corridors for the first season of the Netflix series The Witcher.
As recently as 2023, the massive crew for the Disney+ series Shardlake was there and took over the complex for weeks. The long drawbridge at the entrance isn’t just a top filming location— it’s also the absolute jackpot for your Instagram feed.
This is how you get to the armory and the castle kitchen
Important for your planning: You can’t just wander through the halls on your own. You can only enter with a guided tour, which lasts just under an hour. But the ticket is well worth it, because you get to see the count’s private collection, which is famous throughout Europe.
You’ll stroll through one of Europe’s largest collections of weapons, where swords, halberds, and complete suits of knight’s armor hang on the walls. Afterward, you’ll head to the historic castle kitchen.
The massive oak table in the center alone is a real highlight —it was carved from a single, huge bridge plank. Passing through the hunting room, you finally arrive in the grand knights’ hall. Here you really get a sense of how meticulously Wilczek brought his medieval fantasy to life .
Hard Facts for the Start of the Season
The winter break is finally over. We’re back on track right on schedule on April 1, and the castle season runs continuously through October 31. From Monday through Saturday, the grounds are open for you from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, you can stay a little longer—we’re open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Adults pay 15.00 euros for the guided tour . Children between the ages of 3 and 16 pay 8.00 euros. If you’re coming as a large group of 20 or more, you’ll pay the discounted group rate of 12.00 euros per person.
If all that history has made your stomach growl, we have a recommendation for you. Head straight over to the Burgtaverne. There you’ll find hearty food served in real clay mugs, massive wooden tables, and the perfect setting to relax a bit after the tour.
Our tip, if you’re already up there
Right next to the moat lies the Kreuzenstein Eagle Sanctuary. Be sure to add this to your excursion after the castle tour. During the birds-of-prey flight show, free-flying falcons, vultures, and huge eagles will soar right over your heads.
The whole experience takes place against the picturesque backdrop of the castle and offers a truly stunning view of the Danube Valley. It’s a pretty loud, cool, and wild way to wrap up your day in the Weinviertel.
