Dobersberg Castle

Cultural cellar and nature museum in one – inspiration amidst green countryside.

Dobersberg Castle (German: Schloss Dobersberg) is set in the Thaya Valley Nature Park Dobersberg and is the perfect excursion destination to bring all five senses alive. In the castle itself, everything revolves around art, science and entertainment while in the garden the focus shifts to experiencing nature and simply relaxing. This is the right address for anyone who appreciates nature and beautiful ceramics.

Count of Grünne: The count with a green thumb

The history of today’s Dobersberg Castle extends far back into the Middle Ages. An inhospitable fortified house once stood on the same spot but today's castle plays a key role locally as a warmly welcoming host.
In 1425 the fortified structure was destroyed by the Hussites. In 1522 Dobersberg became the property of Siegmund of Puchheim, who built the castle we know today. It subsequently had a variety of owners. Finally, in 1802 Philipp Ferdinand Count of Grünne bought the property and had the castle renovated, turning it into the center of his small empire in the Waldviertel. He also redesigned the park with loving attention to detail. Some of the splendid linden-lined allées are still in place today. After the death of Philipp III Count of Grünne, the castle ultimately passed to his nephew, the Austro-Hungarian diplomat Count Friedrich of Szápáry. During the Russian occupation in 1945, the castle was badly destroyed, and the entire Classicist furnishings were lost. In 1948 the municipality of Dobersberg acquired the castle. It now serves as the municipal center, a museum and a special events venue.

Fascinating simplicity

The listed castle has retained its essential form down to the present day. It consists of a forecourt leading into a large, two-story quadrangular structure. Round towers with arched conical towers the same height as the walls project out from the corners and from the middle of the west front, emphasizing those areas. The main tower on the southeastern corner lost its gallery under the gabled roof in the course of a renovation in 1805 and has had a round onion-shaped roof ever since.

Ceramics, art and concerts

Kulturkeller Dobersberg in the castle cellar has become a center of expertise for ceramics and presents two exhibitions a year showcasing Austrian and Czech artists. There are also regular state exhibitions, events staged by Kreativlabor, and Handmade Night concerts organized by LiMuPic Records, a musical platform. Handmade Night has a two-fold aim: bring in local and outside artists to stimulate the local music scene and provide support to local artists.

From science to divining rods

The natural history museum has an entirely different program in store for visitors. Here you can explore a collection of local minerals and insects, find out more about the life of birds and other animals, examine geological overviews and much more. Nature Park Dobersberg is nearby and has plenty of room for recreation and relaxation. It also has a varied line-up of guided hikes – from full moon tours and excursions to the Fountain of Youth to outings on a divining rod trail. Arena Geomantica is an energy circle with sixteen stone settings. It is a place of power, meditation and encounters with the energies of the earth. Incidentally, a hike on the Waldviertel Trail or the Thaya Valley Trail takes you right through Dobersberg. Why not stop for a culture break?