CASTLE SCHLOSS SCHALLABURG

Schallaburg Castle, 5 km from Melk, is one of the finest Renaissance castles north of the Alps, with its two-storey courtyard of Italian arcades adorned with ^16th-century terracotta bas-reliefs, superb Romanesque dwelling and Gothic chapel, all set in Mannerist gardens. The château has been built, rebuilt and refurbished over the course of a thousand years, giving it its unique style. Restored between 1968 and 1974 to preserve and enhance the castle and open it to the public, it is one of the region's major heritage centers and a showcase for outstanding exhibitions. Today, Schallaburg Castle is a popular cultural venue for families. Fun activities are on offer in the gardens, and the 35-metre-long dragon sculpture is a real eye-catcher. Short videos, storytelling, music and voices enliven the guided tour via tablet or an app downloaded onto your phone. An array of 1,600 terracotta mosaic pieces bring to life a procession of grotesque and fabulous beings, divinities, masks and mythological figures. In this fabulous setting, archaeological, historical and cultural exhibitions are held from May to early November. After the Danube in 2020, 2023 saw an exhibition entitled "Child" to see life through children's eyes. Learn what it means to be a child - now as then. Bonus: giant games available in the gardens.