Schloss Prielau

Schloss Prielau stands beside Lake Zell in Maishofen, Salzburg. Built as a prince-bishop’s hunting lodge, its present form dates from 1560–65 when Hans Christoph Perner von Rettenwörth remodelled the structure. The castle carries coats of arms from the Kuen-Belasy family who held it for 140 years until the diocese took over in 1722. After secularisation in 1803, the last prince-bishop Sigmund Christoph von Waldburg-Zeil-Trauchburg used it before the property was sold in 1811. In 1932 Gerty von Hofmannsthal restored the castle, but Nazi expropriation forced the family to surrender it to sculptor Josef Thorak. The castle became a hotel in 1987 when the Porsche family transformed it into a luxury retreat. Guest rooms and suites occupy the historic interiors, while a park and private beach stretch along the lake shore. A red deer farm, golf course and helicopter pad sit within the grounds, alongside a baroque chapel that hosts thirty to forty weddings annually. A wellness area offers sauna, steam bath and massage services for guests seeking relaxation. The hotel remains under the protection of the German Foundation for Monument Conservation. Visitors walk through rooms that preserve the castle’s layered history. The main gate still bears the coat of arms of the last prince-bishop, while the chapel’s interior reflects the baroque style of the 17th century. Outside, paths wind through landscaped gardens and lead to the private lakeside beach. Views across Lake Zell frame the alpine landscape, and the red deer can be seen grazing in their enclosure. The golf course and wellness facilities provide modern comforts within a heritage setting.