Schloss Wasserhof
| Schloss Wasserhof | |
|---|---|
 The building in 2017 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Gneixendorf |
| Country | Austria |
| Coordinates | 48°26′28.56″N 15°37′20.53″E / 48.4412667°N 15.6223694°E |
Schloss Wasserhof is a privately owned building located in Gneixendorf, a village near Krems an der Donau in Lower Austria. The building gained historical significance in the early 19th century when it became the property of Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven, the brother of famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven.
History[edit]
The earliest documented reference to the Gneixendorf estate dates back to 1141. With no heirs, Otto von Machland bequeathed the land to Baumgartenberg Abbey[1]. The current building on the estate was constructed around 1550.[2]
Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven[edit]
In 1819, Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven acquired Schloss Wasserhof[1]. Ludwig van Beethoven himself visited his brother at the estate in the autumn of 1826. During this stay, he composed the finale to his String Quartet Op. 130, which marked the last completed work of his life. This finale replaced the original "Große Fuge" at the suggestion of his publisher. Beethoven began composing the piece in September and sent the manuscript to his publisher on November 22nd, 1826, shortly before departing Gneixendorf[2].
21st century[edit]
The current owner of Schloss Wasserhof is architect Ernst Linsberger, who has undertaken significant restoration work on the building in recent years[2].
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Schloss (Wasserhof) und Ort" Gneixendorf. Version dated 4 August 2020 retrieved via Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b c "Neues Leben für Beethoven-Schloss" noe.orf.at, 28 November 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2023.