The Middle Ages and Laxenburg
In the supposedly dark Middle Ages, life in Laxenburg was so progressive that a separate place was built to observe the animals. Albrecht was not only a very level-headed ruler, he was also versatile and progressive. He set up a zoo here long before the zoo in Schönbrunn Palace that still exists today. The zoo not only included enclosures and cages for various animal species, but also had a handsome fish pond. Important first studies and extensive first literature were created here in Laxenburg.
The most extraordinary Visitor of Laxenburg
The most extraordinary resident of Laxenburg in 1402 was a leopard. The animal was a gift of the Venetian Republic and was brought to the zoo of Laxenbug under a lot of attention and of 35 strong men closely guarded. The small menagerie had become particularly attractive due to the exotic big cat. On high holidays and as a reward, selected personalities were allowed to visit the menagerie.
The first imperial Bathing Facility
The first imperial bathing facility was built in Laxenburg – it was the so-called bathing tower. An independent building that was connected to the main castle by a bridge. The free-standing, insulated building was probably the first bathroom in a stately palace. If you consider that only Empress Zita had an independent bathroom installed in Schönbrunn Palace, you can see how progressive the construction of the sanitary unit has been.
Laxenburg in the 15th Century
Laxenburg Castle was already one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe in the 15th century. Through his preference for a domestic life, Albrecht had not only paid attention to the defensive design. The castle was exceptional in its interior and numerous works of art embellished all interiors. In 1438 the nobleman Pero Tafur, a high nobleman from far Castile, paid a visit to Laxenburg. He reported back home: “Laxenburg is one of the most magnificent houses that I have ever seen on my long trips around the world!”
The palace grounds as the largest market
the park of Laxenburg has been the largest marketplace for cattle once a year. By imperial decree, cattle traders were sent to Hungary to shop on a grand scale. They brought the newly acquired herds to Laxenburg. The animals were solemnly consecrated on the Sunday after the service and afterwards the healthy oxen were available for sale. The buyers for these famous markets came from far away because they had a particularly good reputation. However, you had to shop on a large scale. The new owners then brought their animals in small units of around 50 towards the Alpine foothills.
The mighty emperor Karl VI, the father of the later empress Maria Theresia, had waived his right to rule in Spain in Laxenburg. You have to imagine what that meant: Spain was not only a very large country, it was also rich and had enormous mineral resources. Emperor Charles VI had prepared everything so well. The so-called pragmatic sanction should have ensured the succession to the throne for his daughter. But not everyone kept their promises. And so the elderly ruler in the Old Castle of Laxenburg had to accept with a heavy heart that domination in Spain was now at an end. A sad summit in 1725.
The castle where the walls have no ears
Laxenburg Palace used to be called “the palace where the walls have no ears”. Emperor Josef II met his nephew Franz in 1784 for a top secret meeting in Laxenburg. Laxenburg has always been a particularly secretive place. The childless Josef II had decided to bring his nephew, who lived in Florence, to the Austrian court and to train him as his kind of apprentice to his successor. The later Emperor Franz II / I experienced this historically sustainable decision in Laxenburg. From that point on, his life was new.
Construction of the new castle
A young woman, namely Empress Maria Theresia, had built the new Laxenburg Palace. The fragmented old castle had been too small for a long time and the room layout was no longer adequate. That is why the innovative monarch systematically had bought all the houses opposite the parish church and made room for a new building. Among these houses was the so-called Blue Court, which also gave its name to the castle building that has been preserved to this day.
The famous court architect Nicolo Pacassi was commissioned to build the new Blue Court.Pacassi was a superstar of his time! His ideas were considered groundbreaking, innovative and international.He built a unique castle in Laxenburg that delighted all visitors. A visitor should never leave Laxenburg again without reporting on the splendor of the Habsburg castles.
The first Commuter
There was a straight connecting road from Laxenburg to Schönbrunn, which was often used daily by none other than Her Majesty Empress Maria Theresa. The structural connection of the most important residences was created so quickly because Empress Maria Theresia liked to stay in Laxenburg for weeks and had to travel to Schönbrunn for meetings with the carriage. For example, meetings of the State Council were the reason for an imperial commuter trip. Later, Maria Theresa has gone over to hold audiences in Laxenburg. She gave her favorite audiences “en plein aire” – in the fresh air.
The Theatre of Laxenburg
Laxenburg has had more premieres than any other theater of its time!The records from the summer of 1755 tell us that in the Palace Theater Laxenburg in just three weeks, ie on 21 evenings, a total of 16 pieces were presented. The preferred genre was French comedy. The illustrious audience was more than pleased and was regularly invited to play along and sing along. If you consider the unbelievable effort of just one performance (ensemble, costumes, stage sets, props, rehearsals, catering), you can guess the importance of entertaining art at the court. Enormous sums were spent on it.