The Lion's Bride of Neugebäude Palace

Vienna · Austria · Castle

Four-year-old Berta led an escaped lion back to its cage and was named the Lion's Bride. On her wedding day she stepped inside one last time.

In 1587 Emperor Rudolf II had the pleasure palace of Neugebäude built near Kaiserebersdorf, where Sultan Suleiman's magnificent tent is said to have stood during the siege of Vienna. The palace had a menagerie of rare beasts. During a birthday feast for the youngest princess a lion broke out of its cage, crossed the garden and walked into the hall. The guards raised their guns — and then four-year-old Berta, the castellan's daughter, threw her arms around the lion's neck and led it calmly back into its cage. The emperor named her Löwenbraut, the lion's bride, and gave her the animal. Years passed, she grew up and was betrothed, and the wedding preparations made her visits rarer. On her wedding day she stepped into the cage in her bridal gown to say goodbye — and the lion caught sight of the bridegroom.

FAQ

Where is The Lion's Bride of Neugebäude Palace located?

The Lion's Bride of Neugebäude Palace is in Wien, Austria.

More haunted places in Wien

• The Staff in Iron Vienna · Urban site
• The White Lady of Hernals Vienna · Church
• At the Stinking Worm Vienna · Historic building
• Doctor Faust and the Little Red Man Vienna · Pub
• The Witch's Mill in Hütteldorf Vienna · Mill
• The Water Sprite of the Ottakring Brook Vienna · Natural site
• The White Lady of the Theresianum Vienna · Palace
• The Devil's Mill on the Wienerberg Vienna · Mill

Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.