Walpersdorf Castle
The late-Renaissance Walpersdorf Castle, a slightly elevated symmetrical complex with a 2-storey cour d’honneur wing on the north-western edge of the village, surrounded by a former moat, was built north-west of Herzogenburg in 1571. However, the lords of Walpersdorf already existed in 1145 and the owners of Walpersdorf Castle changed frequently until 1576 when Baron von Helmhard the elder (VIII.) Jörger von Tollet bought Walpersdorf Castle.
The last owner of Walpersdorf castle, Marie Countess Falkenhayn, in 1934 donated Walpersdorf castle to the Missionary Sisters of St Peter Claver, a congregation founded in 1894 by Countess Maria Theresia Ledochowska that was named after the Jesuit missionary Petrus Claver (1580-1654), who campaigned on behalf of African slaves in Latin America. Since 2014, the castle has been home to the Lederleitner interior store.
Advent at Walpersdorf castle
Castle courtyards are particularly suitable for Advent markets. Especially when it gets dark and candlelight illuminates the castle courtyard, a festive pre-Christmas atmosphere prevails. The small red courtyard of Walpersdorf Castle has an arched portal and columned arcades from 1577.
Driving to the west from Vienna we visit Walpersdorf castle between Traismauer and Herzogenburg in the Traisen valley on the first Sunday in Advent. In ancient times, the area was part of the Celtic kingdom of Noricum and later the Roman province of the same name.
Walpersdorf is a settlement from the late Hallstatt to Latène periods on the left bank of the Traisen, situated on a river terrace. The buildings in Walpersdorf were partly dug into the ground and partly built in post-and-beam construction. Beautifully worked and polished potter’s wheel pottery from the late Hallstatt period and a gold-decorated crucible were found.
A cour d’honneur (court of honour) is a reception courtyard enclosed on three sides by the corps de logis and the side wings, which was developed in French Renaissance palace construction and is particularly characteristic of symmetrical Baroque palace complexes. The fourth side of the courtyard is often bordered by a lattice or a wall with a gateway in the centre axis. The name is derived from the fact that access to the palace via the courtyard was generally only permitted to special dignitaries.
On the outside of the courtyard wings of Walpersdorf Castle there are corner wings, the north-eastern one of which houses the castle chapel, which was originally built in 1577-94 as a Protestant prayer room with a lower church, where the tomb of Helmhard the Elder Jörger von Tollet and his family is located. The castle chapel consists of a wide, rectangular hall with a high wooden mirror vault from 1672. The walls are divided by pilasters and a surrounding entablature zone.
On the first advent Sunday in Walpersdorf castle you can find a range of beautiful festive Christmas decorations from classic tree decorations to shiny Christmas baubles, sparkling garlands, glass ornaments, lights, tinsel, wreaths, nutcrackers and golden table decorations that make your home sparkle.
Walpersdorf castle chapel
The Walpersdorf castle chapel was originally built in the north-east in front of the castle in 1577-1594 as a wide, rectangular Protestant prayer room with a high mirrored vault and a lower church. The walls of the Walpersdorf castle chapel are divided by pilasters and a surrounding entablature zone.
The altar of Walpersdorf castle chapel is a column retable with the coat of arms of Count Sinzendorf, who remodelled and furnished the chapel in 1662/63. The altarpiece shows the crucifixion of Christ with assisting figures and statues of St Peter and St Paul on volute flanks running out to the sides and statues of St Sebastian and St Florian on the inside. The tabernacle is richly decorated and has a tempietto top. There is a round-arched window next to the altar.
Castle kitchen Walpersdorf
A highlight of the first Sunday in Advent at Walpersdorf Castle is the meal in the castle kitchen after the concert in the castle chapel.
The logo of the Walpersdorf castle kitchen shows two upright, double-tailed lions holding a four-pronged fork. In the Middle Ages, four was considered the number of the earthly and the double-tailed lion is documented as the heraldic animal of the Czech Republic from 1248. With the rise of Přemysl Ottokar II as king, the heraldic animal established itself as the symbol of the Kingdom of Bohemia. The Bohemian lion remained the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia until the end of 1918.
The Walpersdorf castle kitchen, with a centrepiece cooker that can be lit with logs, is located in the north-west of the Roter Hof. Guests now sit down to eat in the place where they used to cook for the lords. In the past after a hunt, game such as venison and duck besides beef was prepared in the castle kitchen.
Tables for 2 or 4 people are set in the dining room of the Walpersdorf castle kitchen with its mirrored vaulted ceiling and baroque buffet cabinet. On the first Sunday in Advent, a special Christmas menu is served in the Walpersdorf castle kitchen with roast beef from Waldviertler pasture beef with horseradish and Tartar sauce as starter from cattle born and reared in the Waldviertel. The Waldviertel is the region northwest of Vienna, that is bounded by the Danube in the south and the Czech republic in the north.
The Waldviertel pasture cattle spend most of the growing season on pasture, where they feed on fresh, green grass. The animals are characterised – also due to their slow growth – by their particularly fine-fibred and extremely tasty, tender meat.
Catfish is a freshwater fish whose flesh has a white, flaky texture. The meat of young catfish, which have not yet reached a metre in length, has a mildly sweet flavour that is slightly reminiscent of veal. A creamy-sweet risotto with pumpkin for catfish tastes nutty and fruity and looks great with its bright orange colour.
Tour Details
This special tour is only available once a year on 1st Sunday of the Advent season when Walpersdorf castle in Lower Austria opens for a Christmas market
Duration: approximately 7 hours
The driving distance from Vienna to Walpersdorf castle in Lower Austria is approximately: 80 km
This Advent in a Lower Austrian castle on the 1st Sunday of the Advent season is a private tour for 2 travelers
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Vienna
Transportation by car to Walpersdorf castle in Lower Austria
Entrance to the Christmas market in Walpersdorf castle
Concert in the Chapel of Walpersdorf castle
3 course meal with a glas of Austrian wine in the Walpersdorf castle kitchen
Return transportation by car to Vienna
Accompaniment by 2 well educated local guides
On this tour you have the opportunity to immerse in the atmosphere in a Lower Austrian castle on the 1st Sunday of the Advent season. In addition you will hear a concert in the chapel of Walpersdorf castle and consume a delicious meal in the Walpersdorf castle kitchen. Not the mention the personal contact and guidance provided by your 2 knowledgable local guides on this private tour for 2.
Departure details
- Traveler pickup is offered.
- We pickup guests from all Vienna accommodations.
- If your hotel is inaccessible by car due to restrictions, pickup will be held from a nearby location within short walking distance.
Return details
- Returns to original departure point
- Booking is done by phone +43 680 301 7720 or email office@taste-of-vienna.com
- Bookings are confirmed after a 150 € deposit has been transferred to our PayPal business account using the link PayPal.Me/tasteofvienna.
The balance is due at the end of the tour and can be paid in cash or by card. - This tour is a private tour for 2 travelers.
- 2 people per booking is required.
- Minimum age is 16 years.
- Pickup time is 8:30 am.
- Most travelers can participate.
- Duration 7 hours approx. The exact duration may vary including pickup and drop off.
The private half day Advent in Walpersdorf Castle Tour for 2 travelers is € 989,00
- After transferring a 150 Euro deposit to our PayPal business account using the link PayPal.Me/tasteofvienna to confirm the booking the balance is due at the end of the tour and can be paid in cash or by card.
If you have questions about this tour just call +43 680 301 7720 and speak with Otto Schlappack.
Advent
Advent, from Latin adventus, “coming”, is in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. In Western churches, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30.
The liturgical meaning of the Advent season referred to the dual “coming” of Jesus. In Roman Catholicism the traditional liturgical colour for Advent is violet. Violet is the color of light at the short wavelength end of the visible spectrum. The color’s name is derived from the Viola genus of flowers. The color violet signifies a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice.
The Advent period in Austria is also meant to be a peaceful time before Christmas with time for old customs such as baking biscuits, putting up Christmas decorations and singing Christmas carols. In Austria part of the festive period before Christmas are Advent calendars involving the tradition of opening a window each day for 24 days until Christmas Eve on December 24. Lower Austria turns into a big Advent calendar since over 24 festive markets can be found behind castle gates.