What role does the nobility still play in Austria?
Esterházy Since the 13th century
If you go for a walk in Burgenland, you have a good chance of doing it on the Esterházys. Their origins can be traced back to the 13th century. In 1687 Count Esterházy was raised to the rank of prince. 22,400 hectares of forest and 5,600 hectares of agricultural land are cultivated by the Esterházy Foundations. Wine is also produced, in 2018 there were 800,000 bottles
Liechtenstein Since the 12th century
The Liechtensteins are among the last noble families in Austria. In the 12th century, Hugo von Liechtenstein was first mentioned as a bearer of the name. The Fürst Liechtenstein Foundation in Austria owns 19,600 hectares of agricultural and forestry land, a vineyard and real estate. “We have been farmers for 900 years,” it says online. Another focus: renewable energy.
Meyr-Melnhof Since the 19th century
In 1859 Franz Mayr was ennobled as a nobleman by Melnhof. The ancestors ran a farm in Styria. The fortune knew that the family 32,400 hectares had to be kept together, the forest enterprise Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau alone is large and thus the largest private forest enterprise in Austria. Of these, 28,000 hectares are forest and of which 21,800 hectares are commercial forest