Discover Güssing: Castle, culture and nature

Güssing brings together views from the castle, several exhibitions, a historic monastery and nature activities. If you are looking for a hotel here, you can plan your trip around your main interests: castle and town history, cultural events, or trails in the Ramsar site and nature park. The sights offer different ways to explore the history of Güssing and its surroundings. From the castle, the view stretches across the town, the Güssing fish ponds and far across the Hungarian Plain.

Güssing Castle and its exhibition

The permanent exhibition “The Pelican above Güssing” is located in Güssing Castle. Across nine exhibition rooms, it presents the history of the Batthyány family and the castle in German, Hungarian and English. The visit thus focuses both on the history of the House of Batthyány and on the castle itself. A funicular provides access to Güssing Castle.

The Güssing Castle Museum is open from 14 March to 31 October 2026, Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Last admission is at 4:30 pm. If visiting the museum is important to your trip, take these opening hours into account when planning.

Monastery, crypt and town history

The Franciscan monastery was founded in 1648/49 by Adam Count Batthyány I. The monastery houses a library with 3,500 books. The crypt of the Franciscan church and monastery in Güssing is the final resting place of the Batthyány counts. It is Austria’s second-largest family crypt, after the Imperial Crypt in Vienna. Together, these places offer insight into the religious and historical significance of the Batthyány family in Güssing.

Museum and literature in the old manor mill

The old manor mill building houses the Emigration Museum and the second part of the exhibition, dedicated to Josef Reichl. The museum documents the emigration of thousands of Burgenlanders, especially to the USA, at the beginning of the last century. In his works, Güssing dialect poet Josef Reichl described the fate of the people living in the border region. The two exhibition themes thus lead from a broad history of migration to literary descriptions of life in the border region.

Nature trails and botanical themes

Seven panels spread throughout the town of Güssing tell the story of the life, work and significance of botanist Carolus Clusius. The flowerbeds along the Carolus Clusius stations feature plants typical of the season. A circular hiking trail runs around the Güssing Fish Ponds Ramsar site, offering a gentle way to enjoy nature and information about the area’s natural treasures.

For further excursions, Güssing is a starting point for long hikes and bike rides through the Nature Park in the Weinidylle. The nature activities therefore have different focuses: the circular trail goes around the Ramsar site and provides information about local nature, while hikes and bike rides explore the nature park as another option for your trip.

Cultural programme and trip planning

The Güssing Cultural Centre has been operating since 1977 and offers a varied programme across several stages and event spaces. Well-known musicals are performed there every year. Check the current programme before your trip for specific musical dates.

Different considerations apply when planning your schedule: the Castle Museum has set opening dates in 2026, the flowerbeds display different plants typical of each season, and the current programme determines when musicals are on. You can tailor your trip to these different highlights depending on when you visit.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Michael im Burgenland, Gerersdorf bei Güssing, Hagensdorf im Burgenland, Hackerberg municipality, Eberau, Burgauberg-Neudauberg, Winten, Gaas.

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