Wienerwald Things to Do

4 more images

The interior of the monastery is fascinating to say the least. In the Church there are three Romanesque aisles, a Neo-Gothic altar , a Gothic chancel and Baroque Choir Stalls.
The pews are finished with inlaid ends each different fromthe next. The organ and high altar are nothing less than magnificent. I love this church.

4 more images

The extensive complex also houses the "Fountain House" a Gothic structure with a Renaissance lead fountain with layers of limestone deposits. 14th century plate glass windows depict various members of the Babenberg family who were the original residents of the building.
The Chapter Hall features a late Romanesque/Gothic vault; a 19th century rose window, and Baroque frescoes portraying the history of the Babenbergs. the tomb of the last Babenberg duke, Frederick II, who was killed in battle with the Hungarians in 1246 has place of honour in the centre of the main aisle. This monastery has history and features that are never ending.

4 more images

The monastery is situated in Heiligenkreuz (Holy Cross) and was founded in the first half of the 12th century. The setting of course, is beautiful with lovely manicured lawns and gardens and the Baroque Trinity Column, which was added in the 18th century very visible on the western side outside the Romanesque monastery church. Today the monastery is home to about 70 monks.

Baden is a truly beautiful town that deserves to be wandered at length. Here Beethoven composed some of his famous 9th Symphony and it was not too far away in Hoeldrichsmuehle that Franz Schubert wrote the "Linden Tree." Lanner and Strauss (Snr) were lauded here as the waltz kings.

The history of Baden dates back to Roman times. It is well known for its many thermal spas and thus is host to many health/wellness resorts. There are 120 vineyards in the area and about 70 Heurigen. To my mind however, it is just a beautiful, beautiful place which I would love to have the time to walk around for hours. My visit there was all too brief.

4 more images

Mayerling is of course famous or infamous, depends which way you look at it, for being the site of the alleged double suicide by Crown Prince Rudolph and his young mistress Baroness Mary Vetsera in 1889.
That part of the hunting lodge where the deaths occurred was subsequently demolished and a memorial chapel was built in its place when the building was given to the Carmelite Nuns who still live there in seclusion today. It is said that the altar inthe chapel marks the exact site of the shootings.
The chapel and a few adjoining rooms containing memorabilia from the old hunting lodge as well as two coffins in which Mary Vetsera was buried and which were both later dug up for various reasons, are open to the public. Mary was finally laid to rest at the town cemetery in Heiligenkreuz not far from Mayerling.

2 more images

The Seegrotte means the Lake cave and its a lake found in a gypsum cave, which can be visited on a guided tour and, for a small stretch, navigated. The cave, originally, did not have this large lake: it formed in 1912 after a blast - water flooded in, the mine had to be shut down - but a great natural monument had formed.

While you visit this cave, before coming to the place where you take the boat, you will seem something really unexpected: some nazi memorabilia. The cave, in fact, was used by the nazis as an underground factory, with over 2000 people working there (force labourers, of course). After that, there's the boat trip on the lake, to admire the rock formations and, at times, the green pools of water.

The experience is really great, but it would have been even better if, rather than a miner/guide one could have listened to some classical music... it would have suited the surrounding perfectly. A word of warning: inside the cave the temperature is 9C - hence bring some warm clothes with you. Alternatively you can rent blankets for 50 cents.

The Liechtenstein Castle is an amazing castle in the Vienna woods, near the village of Maria Enzersdorf. it was originally built during the 12th century by the Liechtenstein family before they chose Vaduz (in Liechtenstein) as their seat. Liechtenstein means "bright/light stone" and the castle, surrounded by woods and fields, seems to glare in the distance.

While it is no longer inhabited, the castle has not been left to ruin. Today it is used as the setting for the Nestroy Theatre Festival, which takes place every year in the summer months.

1 more image

Baden is an old town in the Viennese Woods, famous for (as the name suggests) its baths. It's origin dates back to the Romans, who came here to enjoy the town's sulphur's springs and called it "Aquae" (waters). Many people have enjoyrd these waters, incuding the Austrian emperor Franz I, who had his summer residence here for 20 years; you can still go to the same baths he used to frequent.

Today Baden is a satellite town of Vienna, since it's only 26 kilometres away, but it's a world apart: no traffic, plenty of parks and gardens, Biedermeir houses outdoor cafès and a relaxed way of life. A perfect place to recharge your batteries while on the road.