In the south, Niederösterreich shows itself from its mountainous side. The areas around the Schneeberg, Rax, Semmering were premier summer holiday destination for Viennese society from the mid-19th century onward. From the very outset, two of the main attractions were Gutenstein in the upper Piesting Valley and Reichenau, where elegant villas and hotels still convey the very unique flair of this “Wondrous World of the Magic Mountains”.
A highly recommended stop is Kaiserbrunn near Reichenau to view the spring (along with its adjoining museum) which has been providing water to far-off Vienna for over 100 years. Karl Ritter von Ghega performed a pioneering feat of engineering in this region in the mid-19th century with his construction of the world’s first high Alpine railway over the Semmering. This ensemble of viaducts, bridges and tunnels which fits so harmoniously into the wild and romantic mountain landscape was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. Three other mountain railways in the region also transport visitors to lofty heights: the cog railway on Schneeberg, the Rax Cableway in Reichenau and the Hirschenkogel Railway in Semmering.
Another wonderfully unspoiled natural landscape beloved by hikers and skiers alike is the Wechsel Region, located between the Schwarza and Pitten Rivers. A local roller run and summer sledding run here, in Mönichkirchen and St. Corona, offer exciting fun for young and old. One of the art history highlights of the region is the Gothic St. Wolfgang’s Church in Kirchberg am Wechsel. Nearby is the Hermannshöhle, Austria’s largest dripstone cave, just inviting adventuresome exploration.
To the east is the hill country known as the Bucklige Welt. On a trip along the Fortified Church Road you can visit these fortress-like places of worship built around 1500 to protect the local population from the approaching Ottoman forces. The finest examples are in Edlitz, Krumbach, Bad Schönau, Kirchschlag, Lichtenegg, Hollenthon, Wiesmath, Hochwolkersdorf, Bromberg, and Pitten. This hilly, densely forested countryside has lost none of its natural charm and is ideal for mountain biking. The spa in Bad Schönau features Europe’s most intensive carbon-dioxide dry-gas baths for treatment of cardiovascular and circulatory problems.
The historical center of the region is Wiener Neustadt. Its excellent municipal museum offers an introduction to the early history of the province. A “Culture Trail” runs from the cathedral to the former Babenberg fortress and from there straight through the Old Town to the key historical monuments. Twenty minutes to the west of the city is the Hohe Wand Nature Park, a very scenic hiking area.
