Page 146 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

144  A USTRIA REGION B Y REGION

q Waldviertel Tour

Bitterly fought over by Germans and Slavs, who both 1 Gmünd
This town, on the
wanted to settle here and exploit the area’s natural Czech border, has a
resources, Austria’s Waldviertel boasts numerous historic fascinating glass and
sights, from abbeys built as defensive structures to the stone museum. To the
magnificent residences of the nobility built during north is the Naturpark
Blockheide-
times of peace. The wooded region became Eibenstein, with
known as an idyllic spot for hunting trips and its vast granite
excursions, and today it is still its natural beauty rock formations
and recreational facilities that draw most and an unusual
open-air exhibi-
visitors. The traditional crafts practised in the tion of minerals.
area’s numerous villages are another attraction.
2 Rosenau
First built in 1590 as a Renaissance Jihlawa
palace, Rosenau was remodelled
some 150 years later in Baroque
style. Its owner, Leopold
Schallenberg, set
aside some rooms
for use as a Waidhofen
Masonic lodge; Schrems an der Thaya
today, it is a
Masonic
museum.

Weitra
Key Linz
Suggested route
Other road
River, lake

0 kilometres 5
0 miles 5

Linz
Krems
Ybbs

Tips for Drivers
3 Zwettl Length of the route: 152 km
This lovely old town boasts (94 miles).
several original Baroque Stopping places: the tourist
houses with interesting office at Zwettl is a useful stop.
pediments. Nearby is one Sparkenplatz 1. Tel (02822 541 09).
of the region’s gems, the Suggestions: visits to Altenburg
magnificent Cistercian Abbey and Schloss Greillenstein;
monastery (1137–8), with falconry shows at Schloss
a Gothic church and Rosenburg.
Baroque interior.

144-145_EW_Austria.indd 144 12/09/17 2:45 pm