When the leaves turn golden red and the light of the sun bathes the walls of Friedensburg Castle in a warm glow, a very special time of year begins in the heart of southern Burgenland. In the fall of 2025, the castle opens its doors wide to all those who want to experience history, understand peace and enjoy culture.
With a varied program for adults and children, Friedensburg Castle continues its long tradition as a place of learning, encounters and exchange. The permanent exhibition "From fortified castle to Friedensburg" remains the centerpiece of the program. Special guided tours provide adults with in-depth insights into the history of the castle and the political dimension of the concept of peace, while age-appropriate educational formats are available for children and young people, focusing on creativity, thinking and active experience. The family tours, in which several generations go in search of clues together, are particularly popular.
The KLANGherbst
The KLANGherbst at Friedensburg Schlaining combines cultural curiosity, musical passion and culinary delights to create an atmospheric overall experience. A special ambience unfolds in the historic Granarium Hall: The elegant event space between the old walls provides the ideal setting for concerts, discussion groups and musical encounters.
The program is complemented by sensual delights in the bistro "Das Kranich" and in the wine shop "Weinkosterei", which are also located within the castle. Here, regional specialties and exquisite wines from southern Burgenland invite you to linger - the perfect way to round off an eventful day after a concert, exhibition or guided tour. The combination of culture, history and culinary delights makes Friedensburg Schlaining a place that appeals to all the senses and leaves lasting impressions.
Roman Grinberg and his KLEZMER-SWING QUINTETT © Roman Grinberg
Program 2025
Between sounds and tradition: Jewish culture in focus
For the fifth time, Friedensburg Schlaining will be transformed into a resounding space of remembrance. The KLANGherbst - Days of Jewish Culture and Music - draws a musical arc across the eventful history of the town, which was also shaped by Jewish life for centuries. The former synagogue and several Jewish cemeteries still bear witness to this today. On three evenings, Gerhard Krammer, artistic director of the festival, invites you to rediscover this past.
Composer, pianist and singer Roman Grinberg and his KLEZMER-SWING QUINTETT will kick off the festival. Far removed from the long since commercialized shtetl kitsch, four top-class artists present the music of Eastern European Jews in new, fresh arrangements. They sing and swing for all they're worth, while always remaining connected to the old tradition. In this way, they create new, authentic Jewish music. In their current program, the artists present a successful mixture of old and new Yiddish songs and klezmer melodies in their own unmistakable klezmer jazz sound.
Afterwards, Nina Proll and the musical Trio de Salon will tell a story of fate in songs and lyrics. The trio was formed especially for the project "Songs of a Poor Girl" with Nina Proll from the Salonists and plays music by Kurt Weill, Friedrich Hollaender and Hanns Eisler as well as Russian tango by Efim Yourist.
KLANGherbst 2025 concludes with a lecture evening on Shoah remembrance with Esther Heiss, Director of the Jewish Museum Eisenstadt, on "Remembrance Culture in the 21st Century", which not only looks back but also calls for responsibility in the present.
November 3 to 7, 2025
www.klangfestivalschlaining.at
Insight into the permanent castle history exhibition © KBB
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS AT A GLANCE
Castle history
Detailed insights into the architecture, history and life of the medieval castle
Burgenland up to date
A journey through the energy history of Burgenland from the past to the future.
Dark times - Of perpetrators and the righteous
The special exhibition is dedicated to the time of National Socialist terror in Burgenland in an emotional way.
Burgenland from 1921
A journey through the political, social and cultural developments of Burgenland
Schlaining & Peace
Provides a comprehensive overview of the commitment of the "Austrian Center for Peace" from its beginnings to the present day.
Searching for traces. Fragments of Jewish life in Burgenland
The presentation in the former synagogue gives an insight into life at that time.
GUIDED TOURS & EVENTS
Through the dark night
This guided tour by moonlight offers an exclusive and very special opportunity to experience the mystical side of Friedensburg Castle. On dark paths we explore the old fortress, which hides many a secret. A unique atmosphere and magnificent views are guaranteed! After climbing the mighty keep, we end the night together with a good glass of wine!
September 5, 2025, 9 p.m. October 10, 2025, 7 p.m.
Drunt in Burgenland © KBB
Drunt in Burgenland
The not-so-easy search for Burgenland's identity is just one of the many issues dealt with here. The exhibition offers a compact, in-depth overview of the political, economic and cultural development of the region since 1921. Tradition, customs and cultural and religious diversity are covered, as well as important political events and everyday life in Austria's youngest province.
September 11, 2025, 2 and 3 p.m.
Searching for traces of Jewish life
This very special tour invites you to experience Jewish life in Schlaining in the past. Not only the former synagogue on the main square is visited, but also the people who were a very important part of Schlaining's population are brought back to life through their history and stories, thus preserving their memory. An exciting journey through time to a Schlaining that you wouldn't actually expect.
September 25, 2025, 2 and 3 p.m.
Theme week at Schlaining Castle
The newly designed castle museum in the basement invites you on an exciting journey through the history of Schlaining Castle. Modern technology, unique exhibits and dedicated guides bring life at the castle to life - a life full of highs and lows. Find out why the knight Baumkircher lost his head, get to know the Batthyány family and learn how DDDr. Udo Illig acquired the castle for one shilling.
October 7 to 10, 2025, 2 and 3 p.m.
A little bit of peace
The interactive exhibition of the ACP (Austrian Center for Peace) offers a comprehensive insight into its history, work and methodology. The exhibition ranges from its founding in the 1980s by its initiator Gerald Mader to the current conflicts of our time. Visitors can engage intensively with the various aspects of peace and peace culture.
October 16, 2025, 2 and 3 p.m.
Schlaining Castle - A life between heaven and hell
The newly designed castle museum in the basement gives our most important player a fitting stage, namely the castle itself. With the help of modern media stations and exciting exhibits, not only are legendary castle lords such as Andreas Baumkircher brought back to life, but the path from a fortified castle to a castle of peace is also illuminated.
Friedensburg is illuminated. The exhibition offers a fascinating experience for history buffs.
October 30, 2025, 2 and 3 p.m.
Searching for traces of Jewish life, former synagogue Schlaining © KBB
FRIEDA AND FRIEDOLIN FOR KIDS
Guided tours & events for families and children
In the fall, Friedensburg Castle becomes the setting for exciting guided tours for children, where young explorers can experience history up close. Whether it's searching for animal traces, mysterious adventures in the dark or exciting forays into the world of the Middle Ages - each offer is lovingly designed and invites children to join in, marvel and learn. Playful and lively, they open up new perspectives on nature, the past and life at the castle. There is something for all children from the age of six who are curious, brave and adventurous - a colorful autumn full of stories awaits!
Animal lords of the castle
Friedensburg Castle is also home to many animals! Whether bats under the roof, lizards in the cracks in the walls or birds on the towers - they have all made the castle their home. On this exciting guided tour, you will find out how they live here and why the castle is the perfect place for them.
September 6, 2025, 3 p.m.
Where the knights lived
On this exciting journey of discovery through Schlaining Castle, you can experience at first hand how the knights and damsels once lived. Find out first-hand what everyday life was like at the castle. Find out what worries once plagued the castle's inhabitants and how strenuous everyday things could be. Take heart, come and visit us, because the adventure begins at Schlaining Castle! The tower is not barrier-free.
September 7 and 21, October 12 and 28, 2025, 2 p.m.
October 30, 2025, 10 a.m.
A Binkerl vui Gschichtn © KBB
A Binkerl vui Geschichtn
How many stories can fit into one Binkerl? An entire province? Discover the multitude of stories at Friedensburg Schlaining! Take part in this journey and learn lots of exciting things about customs and crafts, culture and traditions. Be inspired by the stories of the past and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Middle Ages!
September 14 and 28, October 5, 19 and 31, 2025, 2 p.m.
October 28, 2025, 10 a.m.
On spooky paths
Our full moon tour offers all the brave among you an exclusive and very special opportunity to experience the mystical side of Schlaining Castle. In the darkness, equipped only with lanterns, we explore the old fortress on mysterious paths. We walk through the dark rooms and chambers of legendary castle lords - there are some gruesome secrets to uncover here!
October 11, 2025, 7 p.m.
