Mayerling Castle, Hunting lodge in Lower Austria
Mayerling Castle is a Renaissance structure in the Vienna Woods near Alland that serves as both a hunting lodge and a monastery. The site contains buildings in Renaissance style, a chapel, and various rooms open to visitors who come to explore its rooms and grounds.
The castle was built as a hunting lodge for the Habsburg family and witnessed a tragic event in 1889 that shocked the imperial household. This tragedy prompted Emperor Franz Joseph to convert the building into a monastery.
The monastery is maintained by Carmelite nuns who live and pray here daily. Visitors can observe the quiet spiritual life of the community and learn how the place transformed from a hunting retreat into a site of devotion.
The castle can be visited year-round with guided tours that provide insights into the rooms and history. Visitors with a NÖ-Card receive free admission and do not need advance reservations to enter.
The chapel stands on the spot of the former royal bedroom that was demolished following the events of 1889. This conversion shows how a place of sorrow was transformed into a place of spiritual purpose.
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