rtstetten Castle stands high above the Danube at   the border of the Wachau region of Austria. Surrounded by a dreamland park, it offers a fairytale background to relive the turbulent past of Austria and Europe. The visitor strolls the narrow path between happiness and sorrow, life and death, and enters the many facetted life and times of the politician, reformer, collector and family man Archduke-Heir Francis Ferdinand.

rtstetten Castle looks back on a varied history. First used   as a family residence and summer seat by the Imperial family, it became the last resting place of Archduke-Heir Francis Ferdinand and his spouse, Sophie Duchess of Hohenberg, both the victims of a fanatical youth in 1914 in Sarajevo. The architecturally pleasing building, mentioned in documents as early as the 13th century, has been transformed many times over the years, until it acquired its present square central form flanked by seven towers. Since 1983 the castle has been the home of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand Museum, of which the permanent exhibition: "For Heart and Crown" gives the visitor an insight into the life and family of the Heir to the Throne. His many facetted life is also shown in special exhibitions which change every year.

here is a lot to offer a visitor to Artstetten. Next to history,   art and culture you will also find relaxation and enter- tainment. Whether you treat yourself to a refreshment in the Castle Café or just relax on the South terrace and enjoy the view of the park with its magnificent old trees. Along with the 30 rooms of the museum, some of the private rooms are also available for public use. These can be reserved in advance for incentives. There is of course a small shop as well, with a large choice of souvenirs of your visit to Arstettten.

Publications by Wladimir Aichelburg concerning the history of the castle and Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Este:   Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Este and Artstetten 72 pages containing a short biography of the Heir to the Throne and the genealogy of the Hohenberg Family. A5 format, illustrated, € 7,00 in English or French