Then
The Old Shipmaster’s House, operating as an inn since 1680, served for many years as a resting place for timber rafters. Construction and firewood from the Waldviertel region was transported through the Spitzer Graben to Spitz, where it was assembled into rafts and shipped along the Danube to Vienna and Hungary.
Martin Prankl’s great-grandfather founded the Spitz Shipping Company, and his son continued building both rafts and boats, completing them here. With the construction of the first hydroelectric power plants along the river, rafting became unprofitable, and the last raft departed in 1953. From then on, the Prankl family managed the inn themselves instead of leasing it out. Martin’s grandmother came from the renowned Knoll family, well known in the hospitality industry.
The house has been in the family’s possession since 1844. For eight generations, the name Prankl has stood for genuine Wachau hospitality. The building was most likely constructed in the 14th or 15th century, although the original records were unfortunately lost in a fire. In 1844, the second floor was added, featuring decorative figures including Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and, among other things, the patron of innkeepers.
Today
Martin Prankl and his wife Birgit have been running the establishment since 2007. Under their management, the property was completely renovated and modernized in 2011. The attic conversion created space for new suites and apartments, some with private terraces and breathtaking views of the Danube and the Hinterhaus Castle Ruins. Whether you stop by for a refreshing spritzer, a gourmet menu, or a holiday in the Wachau Valley – we are always delighted to welcome you.
The next generation – their children Christina and Stefan – is already growing into the family business and enthusiastically lends a hand, helping out in the restaurant and bar.
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