The castle was once owned by the powerful Baumkircher family, who were instrumental in the border defense of the Holy Roman Empire.
The site hosts the 'Peace Museum,' which is one of the only institutions in Europe specifically dedicated to the documentation of peace processes.
The structure includes an original 'Schüttkasten,' a historical granary used to store taxes collected in kind from the surrounding peasantry.
A legendary, though historically debated, tunnel system is rumored to connect the fortress to nearby religious buildings.
The castle is nicknamed the 'Friedensburg' (Peace Castle) due to its modern mission of conflict transformation.
Burg Schlaining is a medieval fortress in southern Burgenland, Austria, transformed into the European Museum of Peace. The castle dates back to the 13th century and was significantly expanded during the 15th and 16th centuries. It serves as the headquarters for the Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution. The structure features a unique double-ring wall system characteristic of defensive architecture from the late Middle Ages. Visitors can explore permanent exhibitions detailing the history of peace movements, human rights, and regional border conflicts. The site also functions as a venue for international conferences and academic seminars. Restoration work completed in recent years has updated the interior exhibition spaces while preserving the original stone masonry. The castle complex includes a significant inner courtyard and a historical chapel.
From the elevated bridge entrance looking back at the main gatehouse tower.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the internal courtyard and outer grounds feature uneven cobblestones.
Check the event calendar online before visiting, as the museum may be partially restricted during private academic conferences.
Do not assume all sections of the castle are open to the public; private offices and research facilities are strictly off-limits.
Closed on Mondays; occasionally closed for private conferences.
