Today we traveled across the Danuba to Austeria about 24 Kilometers to Schloss Hof, the hunting palace of Eugene of Savoy and later a Palace of Maria Theresa and Emporer Stephen. It was originally built in about 1725 by the military hero of Austeria, Eugene of Savoy. He was famous in part for having led the miliary conquest that freed Austeria and Hungary from the Ottoman empire in the early 1700s. He became wealthy as the military leader of Austeria and wanted a hunting lodge to go with his several palaces including Belevdere in Vienna.
When he died in 1735 the castle was left to his niece who at 54 married a handsome not well to do 34 year old Prince. They did not appreciate the art of the castle and sold many of the valuable pieces. When they divorced he received the castle and needed to sell it. So he planned a hugh party and invited Maria Theresa and Emporer Stephen to the feast. It worked, Maria Theresa liked it so much she purchased it and gave it to Stehphen and they used often with their family (13 children). After Stephen died Maria Theresa used it but not in the same manner, there was only one magnificant event the wedding of her favorite daughter, Christina.
The Castle fell into ruin over the next two hundred years. The restoration of the castle started in earnest in 2002 through the creation of a special society. It is now used for celebrations and is being restored. Unfortunately for us it is only open April 2 to November 1, so we missed the tour by two days. But they allowed us on the grounds and we had a great time walking around.
We went to the Gausthaus for some lunch, it was open but unbeknowns to us only for a special group of visitors that day. But we unknowingly joined the group and ordered our traditional, what else but hot Schokolade and torte. The waitress knew immediately that we did not belong to the group because we spoke english but she was nice and got us our schokolade and torte, very good.
The palace has many animals and special animals for that locations. They even have camels and shetland ponies and walachian sheep.
Later in the day we drove to the community near the schloss, Hainreich. We went to some old roman ruins but the museum was not open, being restored. Then we had a wonderful dinner in Hainreich, Carol had sweinebraten with knodel and I had gurken salat (cucumber salad, afterall what is a day without cucumbers) with vegetable knodel.
Lovely day in Austeria. I was disappointed because I thought I had an appointment in the evening to meet a student but apparently my email to him did not connect and so we did not have the meeting. I hope to meet him again.
SCHLOSS HOF
CAROL AT THE PLAYGROUND OF SCHLOSS HOF, YOU WOULD THINK THAT SHE LIKES CHILDREN AND PLAY
THE PARTYING CRUSHING TORTA AT THE SCHLOSS
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