Photos courtesy of Hotel Schloss Mailberg
The first documentation of Schloss Mailberg appeared in the 11th century. Since 1146, the Sovereign Order of Malta has continually owned the castle estate, making it its oldest possession.
Over the centuries, the estate served as a spiritual and military center, which was certainly was not immune to the consequences of Europe’s constant warfare. The 15th-century Hussite Wars saw Mailberg constantly occupied, destroyed, and rebuilt. The 17th-century Thirty Years’ War inflicted terrible damage. The Napoleonic Wars did not spare the castle, and in 1945, even though the front line was 10 kilometers away, the Russians left their mark.
Pamela’s Perspective
Although off the beaten track, this castle hotel is a terrific value. This is a beautiful part of rural Austria without a lot of tourists, and you’re only an hour away from Vienna.
The Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta is the world’s oldest order of chivalry with origins dating back to 1050 when it served sick and poor pilgrims in the Holy Land. After the First Crusade, it became a military order under its own charter. Today the order exists in nearly 120 countries and is a permanent observer at the United Nations. They continue to do good works in disaster relief, emergency medical services, and assistance to the poor, elderly, and refugees throughout the world. Recently, the order has been providing food to 500 children affected by the war in Syria.
Hotel Schloss Mailberg
A 12th-century castle
Contact
A-2024 Mailberg 1
Tel: ++43 (0) 2943 30301
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
21 rooms
Double rooms: 120–160 euros
Suites: from 200 euros
Rates include breakfast.
Open: February through December
Getting there
Mailberg is about an hour (or 75 km) north of Vienna and just shy of the border with the Czech Republic. To get the most out of the area, a car is recommended.
What to do
On site: wine tasting; tennis
Nearby: golf; hot springs of Laa an der Thaya; bicycling; hiking; horseback riding; Znajm (Czech Republic)
Weddings
Yes. Baroque castle church on site.
Deep in the heart of the Weinviertel wine-growing region of Lower Austria, Schloss Mailberg presents a mixture of Medieval, Late Renaissance, and Baroque architectural elements. The castle also holds the parish church of Mailberg.
You would be hard pressed to find more comfortable and quiet guestrooms. All are spacious and named after well-known knights of the Order of Malta, such as “Herr von Stillfried” or “Herr von Mauterberg.” Opt for a superior room inside the castle and you’ll have a view of the castle garden, moat, and surrounding vineyards. Flat-screened satellite TVs are in every room. Modern bathrooms have either a tub or a shower, equipped with a fine selection of quality toiletries.
The Graf Trautson apartment has a separate entry area, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, while the castle’s grand luxury suite features an arched ceiling and free-standing bathtub.
A two-minute walk away is the Pfarrhof, or vicarage, a separate building that holds four newly renovated rooms. They, too, are spacious, comfortable, and quiet.
There’s lots of historical ambience throughout the castle, made even more special by the warmth and friendliness of the staff.
You’ll find the castle restaurant in the wine cellar vaults open for lunch and dinner. It specializes in regional cuisine. Don’t miss the wine!
Something special
Castle winery
Owned by the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta