Baroque era hunting trips against the backdrop of Niederweiden Castle on the Morava River

After the second defeat of the Ottomans towards the end of the 17th century, the Marchfeld region enjoyed a period of safety and a relaxed atmosphere. This had long been the scene of aggression and wars, but now new openings were in store for the emperor, princes, and aristocrats. The baroque joie de vivre was accompanied by opulent hunting excursions. Hunting lodges in the countryside were at the top of the shopping list for Prince Eugene of Savoy. The castle of Obersiebenbrunn became a hunting residence with a large pheasantry. But this was not enough to satisfy the tastes of the visitors. The Herrschaft Hof was purchased in order to extend the hunting area and include the wilderness park between the Morava and Danube. In 1726, Prince Eugene purchased the estate of Engelhartsstetten, together with the hunting residence, from the earl’s Starhemberg family. The hunting area, contained in the untamed nature of the Morava wetlands, corresponded exactly to the wishes of the prince. The castle then received a modern kitchen, specializing in game. This meant that every visitor could have their own fireplace. Two of them were large enough to allow for the spit roasting of a whole stag. In 1755 the empress Maria Theresia bought the castle of Niederweiden as a gift for her spouse. Gradually hunting lost its significance as a pastime for property owners and their visitors. During the Biedermeier period, all citizens were given the right to hunt.