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 In 1157,
Güssing is already being mentioned and documented. After three versatile centuries under different dynasties,
Güssing, Német-Ujvár, on 30th of June 1524, is obtained by the Batthyánys, who nearly half a millennium later,
until this day, are connected and associated with the castle of Güssing and also carry Német-Ujvár as part of
their family name.
Hungarian King Géza II in 1157 called Count Wolfer, probably as he came from Hainburg on the Danube to Güssing,
and presented him with Mount Kyscen and the surrounding area.
The first wooden castle and monastery is said to have been built by Count Wolfer; it is thought though that the
first building owners of the castle and monastery were the Benedictines. Already at that time, the name of the
pilgrimage church of Our Holy Mary of Snow is being mentioned, which is today's Castle chapel.
King Béla III finally had built a strong castle of stone. Since then Güssing has been called Novum Castrum, (Ujvár
= New Castle, from which Német Ujvár in Hungarian is taken) documented in 1198. In 1246, King Béla IV for a brief
period of time entrusted the castle to the Order of Saint John (1246) and later to his treasurer Mauricius (1263).
In 1272, Heinrich II from the dynasty of the Counts of Güssing and a descendant of the first owner Wolfer has been
documented as the new owner of Güssing. The family, though, especially the so-called 'Ivan the Terrible', had been
involved in several wars against the royal dynasties. They conducted wild raids and were the cause of widespread
unrest in the area. Finally, in 1289/90 Duke Albrecht deprived the counts of Güssing of their power with the
permission of Ladislaus IV.
Under King Sigismund in 1391 the castle went to the dynasty of Cheh de Sáró and Léva. Their descendants, however,
were involved in such heavy debts that all their assets had to be mortgaged and therefore, Nikolaus Ujlaki in 1458
came into possession of the castle and rule of Güssing. In 1459, those Magnates who were not satisfied with the
election of Matthias Corvinus had crowned Emperor Friedrich III as King of Hungary at the castle of Güssing. This,
however, remained without success and in the end Ujlaki had to pay homage to King Matthias Corvinus.
His son, Lorenz Ujlaki, as loyal follower of King Matthew, forcefully and publicly appeared against his successor
the Bohemian King Wladislav II. This made the King enraged and in 1495, the castle Güssing was heavily damaged
through the King's forces. This forced Ujlaki to reconcile with the King. Four years later Ujlaki died childless.
On June the 30th, 1524 finally, Francis I, Batthyány (1497 to 1566) received Castle Güssing, consisting of
dominion and control of at that time already 60 villages, from his friend of his youth, King Ludwig II. This was a
reward for Francis' heroic defense of the fortress of Jaicza against the Turks.
From that time on, Güssing became the main residence and ancestral castle of the Batthyánys and from then on,
Güssing was enlarged to a proper fortress against the Turkish enemy with a consistent building activity. Since
then the name Batthyány is inseparable with the past, present, and future of castle Güssing.
When the Turks passed on their way to Vienna for war, they also devastated Güssing. In order to escape total
elimination and spare the fortress, Franz I had to arrange to side with the enemy, by which to the relief of the
inhabitants of Güssing he succeeded.
From then on, the fortress was enforced for 75,000 florins and under Balthasar III, Franz II and Adam I the
fortress of Güssing was further enlarged considerably. Between the years of 1540 to 1580 the round tower and
bastion with fortifications were built. Because of the permanent and eminent danger of the Turks, the Batthyánys
had to hold by themselves their own garrisons on each of their castles for military reasons. This cost a
considerate amount of money. Between the 16th and 17th century, not often, up to 3000 people found shelter at the
castle.
Buildings at the castle of Güssing like Francis' gate, Adam's gate or several other towers and bastions (widow's
tower, canon hall, turret and long bastion) still today give evidence of the architectural activity of the
Batthyánys. In 1750, low built prisons among others are mentioned and until 1800, a torture chamber existed on the
grounds of the castle. Under Francis II the Turks (part of the Bocsay upraising) again invaded Güssing and
devastated the country; however, fortress Güssing managed to defend itself.
Adam I in 1638 finally brought the Franciscans to Güssing and founded the monastery with the family's burial place
and tomb which, since then are inseparable with castle of Güssing. Adam I also further promoted Güssing to a
renowned place of education for young aristocrats from all over Europe.
In 1683, under Christoph II, once more the castle provided shelter for Güssing's inhabitants to flee the
approaching Turks, who were on their flight after their occupation of Vienna. Christoph and his son Adam II still
pursued the Turks and engaged in their running fight. In 1700, the castle still served as an Arsenal for the
imperial troops.
Times changed and due to the modernization of warfare, the castle and fortress of Güssing slowly lost its
strategic importance. In 1777, all guns were removed. Due to the high cost of maintenance and the introduced roof
tax by Empress Maria Theresia, the partial demolition of the castle's fortifications had begun.
Since the division into Christoph's line (older/princely line) and Paul's line (younger line) after Adam's I death
in 1659, but at the latest since Prince Louie Batthyány-Strattmann in 1787 made Körmend his main residence and
centre of administration, Güssing had lost its character as the centre of power for the Batthyánys.
Well knowing the importance of castle, family burial site and monastery in Güssing not only for the family but for
the whole region, Prince Philipp Batthyány-Strattmann in 1870 established a foundation for the preservation of the
castle and monastery.
Due to the fact that the foundation had lost most of its capital during the years of inflation after World War I,
ways and means had to be found in order to assure the preservation of castle and monastery also for the
generations to come.
Guided by these motives, in the 1980s, the Batthyánys offered the public authorities/Land Burgenland the chance to
participate in the management of the Prince Batthyány foundation. That way, important works of renovation and
preservation could take place at the castle and monastery.
The castle continues to be managed by the Prince Philipp Batthyány-Strattmann foundation. Its trustee is the
respective chef de famille currently the 9th Prince, Ladislaus Pascal Batthyány-Strattmann who, together with an
administrator of the government of Burgenland, currently Dr. Janics, manage the foundation.
Today on the grounds of the castle, theatre performances, concerts and readings take place during the summer
months. Some rooms can also be rented for private functions. It is also possible to celebrate one's civil wedding
ceremony and church wedding in the chapel since last year.
The family museum gives only a brief insight into the 700 years' history of the Batthyánys until today.
Additionally one will find several other interesting exhibitions.
In 2008 the prince handed over the function of the curator to his eldest son, Ladislaus E. Batthyany.
Opening times
Easter Monday - 31 October
daily except Monday, from 10-17 o'clock
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