Highlights of Austria | Eggenberg Palace

Eggenenberg palace, a world heritage site. This baroque palace is considered to be a national treasure in Austria.

17 Feb 20 · 3 mins read

Highlights of Austria | Eggenberg Palace

Eggenberg Palace, also known as Schloss Eggenberg
Eggenberg Palace, also known as Schloss Eggenberg

Eggenberg Palace, also known as Schloss Eggenberg, is an elegant Baroque palace located on the edge of the city of Graz in the Austrian province of Styria. Graz is around two and half hours from Vienna. Sitting above the city at an elevation of 381 metres surrounded by extensive ornate gardens and an expansive park, the palace complex is considered an Austrian cultural treasure. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the city’s historic centre, in 2010.

The History of Eggenberg Palace

While Eggenberg Palace is considered to be a 17th century Baroque palace, its history dates back further than that. In 1460, Balthasar Eggenberger, a financier to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick III, bought a property on the outskirts of Graz and transformed into a noble estate in the family name, constructing a residence and small Gothic chapel. This chapel would become the nucleus of the the palace we see today built by Eggenberger’s great-grandson, Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg.

Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg
Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg

Hans Ulrich von Eggenberg was of simple parentage but as a lifelong confidant of Emperor Ferdinand II, he succeeded in becoming one of the most influential Catholic princes in the Holy Roman Empire. Eggenberg was a close friend of Archduke Ferdinand and helped him to become elected Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation in 1619. With Ferdinand II’s ascension, Eggenberg was made President of the Privy Council and Lord Chamberlain. It was said that he effectively acted in the capacity of a prime minister and that Ferdinand II did not make any political decisions without consulting his friend. In 1623, Eggenberg received a promotion to a position of princely rank and in 1625, he was appointed Governor of Inner Austria. In 1628 he was named Duke of Krumau.

Schloss Eggenberg - note the many windows!
Schloss Eggenberg – note the many windows!

Once appointed governor, Eggenberg wanted a residence that suitably reflected his power and rank. For this reason, he decided to convert the medieval family castle into a far more palatial estate. He commissioned court architect Giovanni Pietro de Pomis to help bring his vision of a new residence to life. Eggenberg was inspired by El Escorial in Spain, the historical residence of the King of Spain but astronomy, astrology and alchemy were also major parts of his education that he wanted to be reflected in his home. What is unique and fascinating about Eggenberg Palace is how the Gregorian calendar has been used as architectural inspiration to demonstrate Eggenberg’s belief in the cosmos as a well-organized, hierarchical, logico-mathematically explicable system. The palace has 365 exterior windows to represent each day of the the year. On the second floor there are 24 opulent state rooms, for each hour of the day, and together these rooms have 52 windows, demonstrating the weeks of the year. Every floor in the building has 31 rooms, which is maximum number of days in a month. Pietro de Pomis oversaw the construction until his death in 1631 and the shell of the building was completed around 1635 or 1636. Sadly, Eggenberg died in 1634 of severe gout and never saw the palace completed.

In 1666, Eggenberg’s grandson, Johann Seyfried von Eggenberg,

Articles relating to Austria published by Odyssey Traveller

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to Austria

Related Tours

Guaranteed
Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland

20 days

May, Jul, Aug, Sep

Scottish Islands and Shetland small group tours for seniors

Visiting Scotland

An escorted small group tour for couples and solo travellers of the Scottish isles including the isle of Skye draws on local guides to share their knowledge of the destinations in this unique part of Scotland. UNESCO world heritage site are visited as breathtaking scenery and authentic experiences are shared in a group of like minded people on this guided tour of remote Scotland.

From A$17,525 AUD

View Tour
Oman small group tour

13 days

Oct, Sep

Discover Oman

Visiting Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a country of diverse natural beauties and fascinating human history. Oman boasts medieval forts and watchtowers, Bedouin villages, spectacular fjords, bustling markets, date palm plantations, and sand dunes.

From A$11,595 AUD

View Tour
Villages of Italy

13 days

Aug

Villages of Italy - short small group tours

Visiting Italy

Roam the villages of the northern Dolomites, in Italy, home to more than 40 glaciers. A small group tour is a great way to get to know Italy, or reacquaint yourself with its beauty and hidden gems. Travel with like minded mature couples or solo travellers.

From A$10,895 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Pre-guaranteed
Island of Sicily

25 days

Apr, Sep, Oct

Mediterranean Islands Small Group Tour | Malta, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica

Visiting Corsica, Italy

For centuries Malta, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica held the key to the Mediterranean. Unlike other European tour companies, Odyssey provides a tour leader and local guides to share detailed itineraries about the destinations on these small group journeys. This escorted tour of western Mediterranean explores the geography, history, culture and peoples of these 4 islands. Small group tour for mature couples and solo travellers. A reasonable single supplement is charged.

From A$19,750 AUD

View Tour
Pre-guaranteed
Iceland church in Vik

17 days

May, Sep

Iceland cultural and wilderness small group tour

Visiting Iceland

Our escorted tour gives guests an insight into the history of this Icelandic nation. Travelling as a small group, our daily itineraries explore the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and others, national parks and majestic waterfalls as we learn about Iceland’s natural heritage and its Viking past from experienced local guides. There is a single supplement for solo travellers.

From A$18,995 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Pre-guaranteed
mount of Mont Saint Michel, France

22 days

Apr, May, Sep

Anglo French Tour | Normandy, Brittany, Channel Islands tour

Visiting Channel Islands, England

Our 21 night program has daily itineraries with plenty of authentic experiences provided by passionate local guides in the key destinations in France, Channel Islands and England for this small group of like minded people. For Solo travellers minimal single supplement applies for this European tour.

From A$18,995 AUD

View Tour
Pre-guaranteed
Specialist Escorted Small Group cultural Tours exploring Japan

12 days

Sep, Mar

Japan Odyssey - Small Group Tours for Mature Travellers

Visiting Japan

During this small group program we encounter history from ancient periods; religions such as Buddhism and Shintoism; the philosophy of the people through visits to world renowned temples and shrines; and old towns full of ancient legends of Samurai and more in Japan. Together we, as mature and senior couples or solo travellers will share some traditions which the Japanese have inherited. A variety of sites including UNESCO World Heritage sites, has been chosen for this tour, all filled with clues such as Hanami or forest bathing to understand the essence of Japan including astro boy.

From A$14,995 AUD

View Tour
Normandy and Brittany escorted history Tours

22 days

Aug, May, Apr, Sep

Normandy and Brittany escorted history tours for small mature grups

Visiting France

This small group tour for couples and solo travellers is centred on the North West corner of France: Normandy, where the peaceful landscape belies a turbulent past; Brittany, where a strongly separate Celtic culture is still evident; Poitou, famous for its rich farmlands and historic ports; and the Loire Valley, replete with royal châteaux.

From A$15,895 AUD

View Tour
Guaranteed
Small Group escorted tour exploring Historic Ireland

18 days

Aug, Apr, Sep

Small Group tours exploring the Treasures of Ireland

Visiting Ireland

An escorted small group tour to Northern Ireland & Ireland, with local guides and itineraries that give authentic experiences Ireland's capital, Dublin, including 1/2 day tour of St Patricks cathedral and Trinity college. Destinations also Aran islands , Kerry plus the world heritage site, the giant's causeway. Ireland tours for singles over 50 and couples.

From A$12,615 AUD

View Tour
Heritage, culture, history of Italy, cobblestone street Rome

22 days

Sep, Apr, Mar

Heritage, Culture and History of Italy | Small Group Tours for Seniors

Visiting Italy

Rome, the world’s first superpower, lasted for almost a thousand years. In this small group tour for senior couples and solo travellers we thread our way through the Rome of the Emperors, then through the Italy of the Renaissance, Michelangelo, the Medici, and the Borgia. In the south, we visit the cosmopolitan city of Naples as well as Pompeii and the island retreat of Capri.

From A$13,695 AUD

View Tour
Namibia wildlife and culture

10 days

Sep

Namibia Wildlife and Culture Tour for Seniors

Visiting Namibia

A small group tour for seniors and couples to Southern Africa for couples and solo travellers. Namibia shares borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Wedged between the Kalahari and the South Atlantic, Namibia is home to the oldest desert of the earth. Despite its parched reputation, Namibia is one of the world’s best wildlife destinations.

From A$11,695 AUD

View Tour
Classical Music Small group tours

22 days

Dec

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

Visiting England

This 22-day small group program visits the major arts centres of Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, and London. We travel in winter avoiding crowds and enjoy a different perspective of the places visited. At Odyssey Traveller we have sought to assemble entry and show tickets to what many will consider the best arts experiences available in those cities during each program.

From A$22,000 AUD

View Tour

Join 22,383 like-minded travellers receiving our weekly newsletter.

Special offers and promotions
A$350 AUD first trip travel voucher
The latest tours and articles