Spring in the region around Schlaining Castle begins with a diverse cultural program that combines history, music, and guided tours. Around Easter, the castle comes to life and invites visitors to enjoy atmospheric evenings, exciting journeys through time, and musical highlights. The program transforms the medieval walls into a lively place for culture enthusiasts, families, and history buffs.

A musical highlight is the KLANGfestival Schlaining on March 4, 2026, featuring the internationally renowned Hagen Quartet. The ensemble is one of the most important string quartets of our time and will present a challenging program featuring Beethoven, Webern, and Schubert. Beethoven's String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95, captivates with its dramatic intensity and emotional tension, while Webern's work from 1905 displays an early, still romantic sound language. Schubert's Quartet in A minor, D 804 ("Rosamunde"), rounds off the evening with lyrical melodies and chamber music intimacy. The historic rooms of the castle enhance the special acoustic and atmospheric effect of the music.

Hagen Quartet © Hagen Quartet

On March 20, 2026, Thomas Brezina will present his solo program "Love, Laughter, Doing Things Differently." In personal stories, Brezina recounts the stages of his life, his successes, crises, and new beginnings. The evening combines humor with inspiration and shows how personal experiences can give people the courage to follow their own paths in life. The program is not a classic lecture, but rather a narrative journey through experiences that touch many people and inspire reflection.
Of particular historical interest is the theme week "Die Burg für den Teufel"(The Castle for theDevil), which is dedicated to the knight and city founder Andreas Baumkircher. The tours will take place on March 5, March 19, and April 9, as well as from April 21 to 25, 2026. The focus is on Baumkircher's eventful life as a mercenary leader, political actor, and later lord of the castle. The tour highlights his role in the development of Schlaining as a town and at the same time shows the conflicts and power structures of the late Middle Ages. Visitors gain insights into military strategies, court politics, and the social conditions of the time.
The moonlight tour "Through the Dark Night" on March 27, 2026, is both romantic and mystical . In the dark, visitors explore the mysterious areas of the fortress with a view of the Burgenland landscape at night. Stories about myths, historical events, and old castle legends create a special atmosphere. After climbing the keep, participants can end the evening with a glass of regional wine—a moment of tranquility above the rooftops of history.

Moonlight tour © KBB Burgenland

For families and children, the series "Where the Knights Live" offers a playful medieval experience on March 1, 15, and 29, as well as April 14 and 26, 2026. Children learn how knights, damsels, and craftsmen once lived, worked, and mastered their everyday lives. Topics such as nutrition, clothing, and defense are presented in an age-appropriate manner. Since the tower is not barrier-free, care is taken to ensure a safe and child-friendly tour of the remaining areas of the castle.
The full moon tour "Auf gruseligen Pfaden" (On Spooky Paths) on March 6 and April 3, 2026, is aimed at all the brave. Equipped with lanterns, visitors explore the dark corridors and vaults of the castle. Medieval myths, ghost stories, and the historical background of the castle's architecture are intertwined – excitement and entertainment meet history and culture.
Under the title "Anno dazumal" ( March 8 and 23, as well as April 19, 2026 ), the tour takes visitors on a journey into the everyday culture of the Middle Ages. Customs, crafts, and traditions are brought to life. Visitors learn how craftsmen worked, what festivals were celebrated, and how social life in the region was organized. The tour shows that history is not only made up of major events, but above all of people's everyday lives.

The Easter holidays will also be an adventure at the castle. On March 31 and April 6, 2026, family tours will transform the castle into a place of discovery for children and adults alike. Towers, corridors, and courtyards will become the stage for stories about knights, trade, and traditions. Playful elements will combine knowledge with fun and make a visit to the castle a shared experience.With this diverse program, Friedensburg Schlaining shows that history, culture, and nature do not have to be experienced separately. The castle becomes a place of dialogue between the past and the present—and an experience space for all generations.
www.friedensburg.at
www.klangfestivalschlaining.at