Today, the subject of our story will be the famous Vienna Forest. Austria is literally inconceivable without this beautiful green corner located in its capital. In 2005, UNESCO awarded the Vienna Forest the status of a biosphere park as an area with a special cultural heritage and unique natural landscape. If you are lucky enough to get to Austria, be sure to visit this place. It is not necessary to run around the local attractions, you can simply sunbathe on the lawn or admire the magnificent views opening from the observation platforms.
Vienna Forest: photo, description
The biosphere park, whose area is 9,900 hectares, is located right in the capital of Austria. It captures the territory of the seven administrative districts of Vienna. The main goal of the park is to protect nature, as well as the development of the region. The Vienna Woods in Vienna is populated by a large number of animals and birds. On its territory there are more than two hundred species of diverse plants. As for the inhabitants of the local fauna, many of them are very rare and are on the verge of extinction. So, a few years ago, local zoologists managed to reintroduce the tailed owl. And already after three years, in 2011, for the first time in the last half century, the offspring of these animals was obtained in the Vienna Forest. Among the representatives of the local fauna, one can distinguish an emerald lizard, which is on the verge of extinction.
In total, the Vienna Forest includes four natural parks and fifteen nature reserves. Its landscape consists of meadows, fields, forests, pastures and vineyards. Most of the wineries have retained their inherent rustic character: each guest of the park can spend time at dinner with dishes of national cuisine and delicious wine in a cozy wine inn or on a shady garden terrace.
How to get there
Despite the fact that the excursion to the Vienna Woods is one of the most popular among guests of the Austrian capital and is offered by absolutely all tour operators and agencies, you can visit this attraction on your own. Moreover, getting to the biosphere park is not at all difficult: first you need to use the metro (line U4, stop Heiligenstadt), and then by bus number 38, the route of which passes by the main observation platforms - Leopoldsberg, Kalenberg and Kobenzl.
What to see in the Vienna Woods
Typically, excursions to the biosphere park of the Austrian capital include visits to the following attractions: Liechtenstein Fortress, Seegrote Underground Lake, Holy Cross Monastery, Emperor Mayerling Hunting House and Baden Resort. We offer to learn more about each of them.
Liechtenstein Fortress
Liechtensteinburg, located on the southern edge of the Vienna Forest, is the ancestral castle of the Princes of Liechtenstein. It is not a museum in the traditional sense of the word, but this place has a rich history. The family castle of Lichtenstein was restored in the XIX century, and to this day it is their property. During the XII and XIII centuries, the fortress was used as a temporary residence of representatives of this ancient family. Thus, Liechtensteinburg today stores almost a thousand-year history of the family of its founders. The castle was built in the Romanesque style, the chambers are furnished with antique furniture, as well as decorated with bas-reliefs and weapons. The tower of Liechtensteinburg offers one of the most beautiful views of the Austrian capital. This picturesque place has long inspired creative people. They even shot films here: the Hollywood Three Musketeers and the Austrian Commissar Rex.
Seegrote Underground Lake
The Vienna Woods on its territory has the largest underground lake in all of Europe. Its area is 6200 square meters. In the middle of the XIX century, a large gypsum deposit was discovered on a local hill, which began to be actively developed. However, due to groundwater flooding of mines in 1912, work was permanently discontinued. After 20 years, it was decided to open the flooded adits for boat trips, which are held here to this day. Interestingly, during World War II, military aircraft were manufactured in a mine protected from air raids.
Monastery of the Holy Cross
The Heiligenkreuz Monastery (translated as the Holy Cross) is often called the mystical center of the Vienna Woods. It is the oldest Cistercian monastery in the world. It is also interesting that since its discovery, it has never interrupted its activities. So, starting in the distant 1133, novices conduct worship services seven times a day. The Vienna Woods is considered one of the most important burial sites in all of Austria. So, in the Assembly Hall of the monastery of the Holy Cross buried four rulers of the country's oldest ruling dynasty - Babenbergs. Also in Heiligenkreuz a very revered relic is kept - a particle of the Holy Cross.
Hunter House of Emperors Mayerling
This place became notorious after the double suicide committed in it - the Austro-Hungarian crown prince Rudolph and his lady of the heart, Baroness Maria von Vechera. Previously, Meyerling Castle, built in 1550, belonged to the Heiligenkreuz Monastery. But at the end of the 19th century, it was acquired by the Crown Prince Rudolph, and the castle became the hunting house of the Habsburgs.
Vienna Woods. Resort Baden
Once this place was the summer residence of the Kaiser. Today, Baden offers to visit the healing thermal springs located on its territory to everyone. It offers first-class hotels, a rich cultural program and the opportunity to enjoy excellent wines from local grape varieties.