Weinviertel Attractions
The Weinviertel is a plateau (200-400m/650-1,300ft high), partly forest covered, lying to the north of Vienna between the Danube and the Czech frontier. It extends to the east of the Waldviertel, from which it is separated by the long ridge of the Manhartsberg. Isolated ranges of hills rise to heights of some 500m/1,600ft (Leiser Berge, 492m/1,615ft), dividing the area into an eastern and western half. The population is relatively dense. The broad valleys are flanked by fertile hillsides, as well as large fields of sugar beet and wheat. On the eastern fringe of the Weinviertel lie the Zisterdorf and Matzen oilfields.
There is a car museum in Stockerau.
There is a car museum in Stockerau.
Bad Pirawath, Austria
(Near Wolkersdorf)
Off the road to Mistelbach, to the east of Wolkersdorf, lies the little spa town of Bad Pirawath (194m/637ft; pop. 12,000), with peat and sulfur baths, acidic and mineral springs.
The church contains some beautiful paintings by Martin Altomonte.
The church contains some beautiful paintings by Martin Altomonte.
Geras, Austria
(Near Hardegg)
12km/7.5mi southwest of Riegersburg stands the Premonstratensian abbey of Geras, founded c. 1150 and rebuilt in the 17th and 18th C. to the design of J. Munggenast. The church, originally Romanesque, was remodeled in the Baroque style in the 17th C. The abbey offers a variety of hobby courses (verre églomisé techniques, tile painting, wood carving, etc.). Nearby is a wildlife park with a game preserve and small zoo.
Geras Nature Park
The Geras Nature park includes a game preserve and small zoo.
Hours
April 15 to November 1
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
November 2 to April 14
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Hardegg, Austria
Hardegg (308m/1,011ft; pop. 200), on the edge of Retz in the Thaya valley, is dominated by an imposing four-towered castle (originally 11th C., restored c. 1900) on a crag above the village. The castle, which still preserves some of the original structure, contains relics and mementos of the Emperor Maximilian of Mexico, a younger brother of Emperor Francis Joseph I. In the Knights' Hall is displayed a large collection of old arms and armor.
Riegersburg - Town and Castle
Visiting the Riegersburg
Coming from the town the castle is entered from the south, on a rocky path defended by seven gates and numerous bastions. Between the fourth and fifth gates, on the site of former Burg Liechtenegg, stands the Frontier Memorial, from which there is a good view. After passing the gabled Pyramidentor (Pyramid Gate) the visitor comes to the Wenzelstor (Wenceslas gate), with statues of Mars and Bellona, the gods of war; it forms part of the castle surround, with moat, drawbridge and magazine. Here the Eselsteig (Mule Steps) enters the castle; these steps, hewn out of the rock, enabled food and provisions to be brought into the castle by pack mule in times of need. The castle proper encloses two arcaded courtyards, in the inner one of which attention is drawn to a fountain with an artistically carved canopy. The furnishings of the handsome rooms dates from the 16th and 17th C.; in the Gothic chapel are two Baroque altars. The Knights' Hall has beautiful doorways, paintings and a coffered ceiling. The Fürstenzimmer (Prince's Room) and the Weisse Saal (White Hall) are also very fine.
(Weinviertel)
55km/34mi east of Graz in the southeastern tip of Styria, on a basalt crag between Fürstenfeld and Feldbach, stands the mighty Riegersburg, one of the finest castles in the whole of Austria and never conquered by an enemy. The castle is first recorded in the 12th C. In the 13th C. there were two castles here on the plateau, to the north Burg Kronegg and to the south, lower down, Burg Leichtenegg, which was demolished in 1648. In the 16th C. the main castle was enlarged by Freiherr von Stadtl, and in 1637 it passed to the Wechsler family. Under Elisabeth von Wechsler, a popular and legendary figure in Styrian history, the castle had its greatest days as a frontier fortress against the Turks. In 1822 it passed into the possession of the Princes of Liechtenstein, who restored it.Visiting the Riegersburg
Coming from the town the castle is entered from the south, on a rocky path defended by seven gates and numerous bastions. Between the fourth and fifth gates, on the site of former Burg Liechtenegg, stands the Frontier Memorial, from which there is a good view. After passing the gabled Pyramidentor (Pyramid Gate) the visitor comes to the Wenzelstor (Wenceslas gate), with statues of Mars and Bellona, the gods of war; it forms part of the castle surround, with moat, drawbridge and magazine. Here the Eselsteig (Mule Steps) enters the castle; these steps, hewn out of the rock, enabled food and provisions to be brought into the castle by pack mule in times of need. The castle proper encloses two arcaded courtyards, in the inner one of which attention is drawn to a fountain with an artistically carved canopy. The furnishings of the handsome rooms dates from the 16th and 17th C.; in the Gothic chapel are two Baroque altars. The Knights' Hall has beautiful doorways, paintings and a coffered ceiling. The Fürstenzimmer (Prince's Room) and the Weisse Saal (White Hall) are also very fine.
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Laa an der Thaya, Austria
25km/15mi northwest of Mistelbach, on the Czech frontier, lies Laa an der Thaya (186m/610ft; pop. 7,000). Its turbulent history is witnessed by the remains of the medieval walls and a massive moated castle (13th century) with well-preserved battlements and towers (fine panoramic views).
In the "Altes Rathaus" will be found the Südmährer local history museum "Thayaland" (open: April-October; information from the local council offices). The Gothic parish church of St Vitus is 13th century, the high altar dates from 1740. The Plague Column (1680), the Trinity Column (1680) and the Raaber Column near the cemetery are all worth seeing.
In the "Altes Rathaus" will be found the Südmährer local history museum "Thayaland" (open: April-October; information from the local council offices). The Gothic parish church of St Vitus is 13th century, the high altar dates from 1740. The Plague Column (1680), the Trinity Column (1680) and the Raaber Column near the cemetery are all worth seeing.
Mailberg, Austria
20km/12.5mi northeast of Hollabrunn, Mailberg (217m/712ft) has a castle which belonged to the Knights of Malta (rebuilt 1594-1608; museum); its chapel contains some Late Gothic wooden sculptures. In 1802 Margrave Leopold II lost in battle here against the Bohemians.
Poysdorf, Austria
In the northern part of the eastern Weinviertel, 16km/10mi north of Mistelbach, the little town of Poysdorf (205m/673ft; pop. 4,000) nestles in the Poi-Bach valley. High above it stands the Early Baroque parish church (1625-35), with a fine doorway (1635-40) and a Neo-Classical interior. Note also the Vogelsangmühle ("Bird Song Mill", 1589), the Plague Column of 1715.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | ||||||
| Open | 14:00 | ||||||
| Close | 16:00 |
Riegersburg, Austria
(Near Hardegg)
8.5km/5mi northwest of Hardegg lies the little town of Riegersburg; note the Baroque Schloss with its beautiful facade and dome-roofed pavilions. Built in the early 18th C., the Schloss was reconstructed after being severely damaged in the Second World War. The Great Hall, two stories high, contains fine Baroque and Roccoco furniture.
Town and Castle
Visiting the Riegersburg
Coming from the town the castle is entered from the south, on a rocky path defended by seven gates and numerous bastions. Between the fourth and fifth gates, on the site of former Burg Liechtenegg, stands the Frontier Memorial, from which there is a good view. After passing the gabled Pyramidentor (Pyramid Gate) the visitor comes to the Wenzelstor (Wenceslas gate), with statues of Mars and Bellona, the gods of war; it forms part of the castle surround, with moat, drawbridge and magazine. Here the Eselsteig (Mule Steps) enters the castle; these steps, hewn out of the rock, enabled food and provisions to be brought into the castle by pack mule in times of need. The castle proper encloses two arcaded courtyards, in the inner one of which attention is drawn to a fountain with an artistically carved canopy. The furnishings of the handsome rooms dates from the 16th and 17th C.; in the Gothic chapel are two Baroque altars. The Knights' Hall has beautiful doorways, paintings and a coffered ceiling. The Fürstenzimmer (Prince's Room) and the Weisse Saal (White Hall) are also very fine.
(Weinviertel)
55km/34mi east of Graz in the southeastern tip of Styria, on a basalt crag between Fürstenfeld and Feldbach, stands the mighty Riegersburg, one of the finest castles in the whole of Austria and never conquered by an enemy. The castle is first recorded in the 12th C. In the 13th C. there were two castles here on the plateau, to the north Burg Kronegg and to the south, lower down, Burg Leichtenegg, which was demolished in 1648. In the 16th C. the main castle was enlarged by Freiherr von Stadtl, and in 1637 it passed to the Wechsler family. Under Elisabeth von Wechsler, a popular and legendary figure in Styrian history, the castle had its greatest days as a frontier fortress against the Turks. In 1822 it passed into the possession of the Princes of Liechtenstein, who restored it.Visiting the Riegersburg
Coming from the town the castle is entered from the south, on a rocky path defended by seven gates and numerous bastions. Between the fourth and fifth gates, on the site of former Burg Liechtenegg, stands the Frontier Memorial, from which there is a good view. After passing the gabled Pyramidentor (Pyramid Gate) the visitor comes to the Wenzelstor (Wenceslas gate), with statues of Mars and Bellona, the gods of war; it forms part of the castle surround, with moat, drawbridge and magazine. Here the Eselsteig (Mule Steps) enters the castle; these steps, hewn out of the rock, enabled food and provisions to be brought into the castle by pack mule in times of need. The castle proper encloses two arcaded courtyards, in the inner one of which attention is drawn to a fountain with an artistically carved canopy. The furnishings of the handsome rooms dates from the 16th and 17th C.; in the Gothic chapel are two Baroque altars. The Knights' Hall has beautiful doorways, paintings and a coffered ceiling. The Fürstenzimmer (Prince's Room) and the Weisse Saal (White Hall) are also very fine.
Riegersburg - Birds of Prey Observatory
On the Riegersburg there is an observatory devoted to birds of prey, with daily demonstrations of birds in flight. Eagles, vultures, falcons, kites and eagle owls, all nocturnal birds of prey, can be seen.
Riegersburg - Witches' Museum
Twelve rooms of the Riegersburg house Europe's only Witches' Museum. The exhibition documents a superstitious event in European history - the persecution of men and women in the Middle Ages, and in more recent times too, accused of being guilty of witchcraft. Between 1546 and 1746, 300 people in Styria were sentenced and hanged as witches or sorcerers.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Sierndorf, Austria
In Sierndorf is a Schloss (1516) with a Baroque staircase. In its chapel, now the parish church, can be seen some half-relief figures on the walls of the choir which are among the earliest Renaissance sculptures anywhere in Austria. The park was laid out by Prince Colloredo-Mansfeld.
Sierndorf is located northwest of Vienna near Stockerau.
Sierndorf is located northwest of Vienna near Stockerau.
Sierndorf - Schloss Schönbrunn
5km/3mi to the north of Sierndorf, off the main road, lies Schloss Schönbrunn (by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, 1712-17), in a beautiful park, with an Orangery and, in an open field, the Chapel of St John Nepomuk (figure of the Saint under a canopy).
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Wheelchair loan or rental
Wolkersdorf, Austria
20km/12.5mi to the northeast of Vienna, in the valley of the Russbach, lies the old vine growing town of Wolkersdorf (176m/577ft; pop. 5,000), with an imposing moated castle (rebuilt in 18th C.), a Baroque parish church with a Gothic choir, and a Trinity Column. There are a number of paths for walkers. 15km/9.5mi to the east near Matzen is an oil field.
Wolkersdorf Tourist Office
Hauptstrasse 28
A-2120 Wolkersdorf
Austria
Hauptstrasse 28
A-2120 Wolkersdorf
Austria
