Page 176 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

174  a ustria region b y region

9 Herberstein
Road map F4. * 300. @ Tel (03176)
88250. Open Mar–Apr: 10am–4pm
daily; May–Sep: 9am–5pm daily;
Oct–Mar: 10am–4pm daily. &
∑ herberstein.co.at
Schloss Herberstein, perched on a
steep rock amid wild countryside,
has remained in the hands of the
same family since 1290. Since the
Herbersteins still live in the castle,
a visit feels a bit like peeping
through a keyhole at history.
The medieval fortress, rebuilt
numerous times, achieved its
present form in the late 16th The Bad Blumau resort, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
century. Its most magnificent
part is the Florence Courtyard, Y Tierwelt Herberstein The outside of the complex can
a lovely arcaded enclosure more Open mid-Mar–Apr & Oct: 10am–4pm be seen with a guided tour.
reminiscent of Renaissance daily; May–Sep: 9am–5pm daily; Nov– As you stroll along an avenue
Italian palaces than of northern mid-Mar: 10am–3:30pm Thu–Sun & lined with trees and shrubs that
European fortresses. Once hols. & ∑ tierwelt-herberstein.at represent the Chinese horoscope,
the castle was a venue for you suddenly realize that the
knightly tournaments. grass you are walking on grows
The rooms that are open to 0 Bad Blumau on the roof of a building below.
visitors today display many items Road map F4. * 1,600. @ £ The main reason for a visit
relating to the Herberstein family, n Rogner–Bad Blumau (03383) to the spa is, of course, taking
and an exhibition that gives a 51000. ∑ blumau.com the waters. Admission to the
unique insight into aristocratic life complex is available for half
in the 18th and 19th centuries. In eastern Styria, in an area that and full days, and will prove
There is even an original kitchen has long been famed for its both an artistic experience
from the 16th century. Temporary crystal-clear mineral waters, is a and a pleasant way to while
exhibitions are organized during spa resort that is certainly worth away some time.
the summer. a detour or even a few days’ visit.
One of the most interesting The entire resort of Bad Blumau q Castle
places within the castle grounds was designed by the painter
is the nature reserve, Tierwelt and architect Friedensreich Riegersburg
Herberstein, which is home to Hundertwasser, in a style similar Road map F5. * 5,000. @
wild plants and animals. Its to his building in Vienna (see Tel (03153) 8670. Open Apr & Oct:
origins can be traced back to pp108–109). You will see rounded 10am–6pm daily; May–Sep:
the 16th century, when the façades, rippling roofs, colourful 9am–6pm daily. ∑ riegersburg.com
castle was inhabited by Count walls and irregularly shaped
Sigmund von Herberstein, the terraces and balconies which On a steep basaltic rock high
author of pioneering works on transport you into a strange above the Grazbach stream
the agriculture and geography and surreal stands Schloss Riegersburg, a
of Eastern Europe. fairyland. mighty medieval fortress, once
Styria’s most easterly outpost
against raiders from Hungary,
and then Turkey,
and, more recently,

The medieval fortress of Riegersburg, rebuilt in the 17th century
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp295–6 and pp318–20

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