Franzensburg

Om

Visitors will be surprised to learn that the castle is an imitation built by Emperor Franz II in 1835 as a faithful reproduction of a medieval castle. The castle is accessed by a small ferry that takes just a few minutes to cross the lake. Franzenburg was originally opened to the public in the late nineteenth-century as a ‘museum of memorials to the history, manners, customs, art, lifestyle of the ancient days of the fatherland`. Today, the ornate castle rooms along with the dungeon, the chapel and the coronation room can all be viewed. Many visitors find it difficult to believe that it’s an imitation (‘Franz II actually out-Disneyed Disney,’ one journalist once commented) although the chapel was used by the Hapsburg family for prayers and services. The marble statues of the royal family are all original works of art and include that of Empress Maria Theresa, which is valued at in excess of $1 million dollars. Please note: it's about a 30 minute walk to reach the castle, or you can take a fast ferry for 0.80EUR.