Güssing Castle
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Burg Güssing is a castle in southern Burgenland, Austria. On June 30, 1524, the castle was acquired by the Batthyány family, who retain ownership to this day through a historical foundation that provides for the care and maintenance of the castle. Burg Güssing is situated at an elevation of 293 meters.[1]
History
Established around 1157, Burg Güssing is the oldest castle in Burgenland.[2] On June 30, 1524, Francis I, Batthyány (1497 – 1566) received Castle Güssing[2] and the associated lands.
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, there was a partial demolition of some of the castles fortifications.
In 1870 Prince Philipp Batthyány-Strattmann established a foundation for the preservation of the castle and monastery as an historic structure.[2] However, in the years following World War I, foundation had lost most of its money due to inflation and the costs of war.
Today, the castle acts as a tourist attraction in addition to being an important historical structure. Theater performances, concerts and readings can be attended on the castle grounds during the summer months, and there is a family museum located within.