The best walks and hikes in Guntersdorfer-Hauswald

19th-century castle, still owned by the Princes Reuss, who still live there today.

The construction of the entire complex stretches from the 11th to the 18th century. Ernstbrunn Palace was the seat of the respective rulers of Ernstbrunn. The Reuss-Köstritz family has managed this castle for centuries. More about the story: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Ernstbrunn

Iron summit cross, located at 352 meters. Tables and benches invite you to rest. However, the ascent with the bike is quite tough and ends in pushing. Depending on how the grass is mowed, you can try it from 2 sides.

German National Gymnastics Monument on the Semmelberg near Ernstbrunn, one of the few with a swastika

Ernstbrunn Castle is a castle in Dörfles in the market town of Ernstbrunn in Lower Austria. It is located in a forest northwest of the center of Ernstbrunn. The castle has been in the hands of the Reuss princes since the 19th century, and they still inhabit it today.

Around 1180, a Heinrich de Ernstbrunne is mentioned in a Klosterneuburger deed as a witness. Ebran von Ernstbrunn was beheaded in 1254, as he was in a dispute with Bertold von Ernstbrunn against King Ottokar. In 1313, Ulrich von Maissau inherited the reign of Konrad I von Schaunberg. Lehensnehmer is at this time the family of gneuses. In 1430 Ernstbrunn came to the prince, who pledged it to the Doss family until 1480. By exchange, the lords of Ebersdorf came from 1499 (until their extinction in 1556) in the possession of the rule. Leonhard von Harrach sold this in 1592 to Joachim von Sinzendorf. He was a special ambassador to the court of the Sultan in Istanbul and had 13 children. His son Lorenz founded the Ernstbrunner line of his family. After 1654 Rudolf Graf von Sinzendorf had extensive renovations and new buildings in Baroque style. Prince Prosper of Sinzendorf generously extended the castle from the fourth quarter of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th century. As an architect and sculptor, he employed Benedict Henrici. Inside, Jacobus Wanderl worked. With Prosper the Sinzendorfer died out in 1822. It was followed by a protracted inheritance dispute that ended in 1828 Prince Henry LXIV. Reuss-Köstritz took over the rule. During the occupation, the castle was in USIA administration and was severely devastated during this period and deprived of much of its inventory. After the State Treaty, the castle was returned to the original owners. Of these, it was continually restored.

The Turnerdenkmal was built in 1923 and is located on a small hill on Semmelberg. It is easy to miss from the lower path. The last few meters up to the monument are a challenge with the bike, then it's easier to go down 😊.

03.11.2018 - A beautiful, very extensive palace complex in a secluded location near Ernstbrunn - Dörfles. The oldest parts go back to the Middle Ages, the youngest ones were built in the Classicist style at the time of Napoleon. Unfortunately, the conservation status is very poor and the renovation and restoration work will take decades. The castle is now privately owned by a Reuss family and can only rarely be visited (for example, on the International Monument Day or at events).