Peigarten Castle, an 11th-century frontier fortress strategically positioned along the Thaya River, was built to defend the northern border of the Duchy of Austria against Bohemian invasion. First documented in 1200, this strategic stronghold evolved through centuries of ownership changes, housing a dairy, brewery, and carpet factory before becoming a renowned retreat. The writer Vicki Baum found creative refuge here during a decade-long summer residency from 1893. Today, Peigarten represents a compelling example of how medieval fortifications transformed into cultural havens, retaining architectural character while adapting to new purposes across generations.
