Kasematten Wiener Neustadt

The Kasematten in Wiener Neustadt are a unique underground complex in Austria, built into the 13th-century city walls. They sit beneath Bahngasse 27, near the Brüderturm at the southwest corner of the old fortifications. This rare structure once stored weapons and later served as a civil defence space. The site’s history stretches back to 1551, when master builder Hans Tscherte expanded the vaulted cellars for military use. Over centuries, deeper chambers were added to hold growing arsenals. After being closed for decades, the Kasematten were restored for the 2019 Lower Austrian state exhibition and now host theatre and art. Inside, more than twenty rooms display rugged stone and brick vaults, including Bohemian caps and barrel vaults. A guided path leads through the halls, past a restored curtain wall and an oil painting by Ludwig Drahosch. The Welcome Centre and New Gallery link past and present, while a belvedere offers views of the surrounding fortifications.