Weinviertel Attractions

15km/9mi northwest of Vienna, on the left bank of the Danube, lies Korneuburg (167m/548ft; pop. 8,500), the gateway to the western Weinviertel, It has a shipyard which has become the biggest in Austria. In the Hauptplatz (square), where a market is held twice a week, there are Late Gothic burghers' houses. The large Stadtturm (town tower) dates from 1447. The imposing Augustinerkirche (mid 18th C.) has a fine Roccoco high altar.Korneuburg is, a pretty old town which preserves part of its circuit of walls. The town's last great fortifications were built during the Hussite attacks in the 15th C.

The town of Hollabrunn (227m/745ft; pop. 10,000), some 20km/12.5mi north of Stockerau, is the administrative headquarters of the western Weinviertel. The Plague Column is dated 1723. It is worth visiting the Local Museum known as "Alte Hofmühle", housed in an old fort. A collection of modern sculptures documents mankind in our own time; there is also a display of religious art from the Weinviertel. In mid-August each year the "Weinlandmesse" fair is held, which is also a Hollabrunn folk festival.

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.

Mistelbach (228m/748ft; pop. 10,000) is an old town in the heart of the eastern Weinviertel. The 15th C. parish church, built on high ground, has a massive tower. Adjoining the church is a round Romanesque charnel house (12th C.). In front of the Rathaus stands a Trinity Column, and the little Baroque Schloss now houses a local museum.

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.

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.

The old-world little town of Retz, still surrounded by its ancient walls, lies on the slopes of the Retzer Senke (Retz depression) in the northwest of the Weinviertel, near the Czech frontier.