Schloss Ernegg is located in the beautiful Mostviertel region, in Niederosterreich where the landscape even by Austrian standards is spectacular.  It is within easy reach of a wealth of culture, wines, castles, abbeys and medieval villages.

There is something for everyone, we have listed a few of the local attractions below, but please call should you require any further information when planning your visit and we would happily put together a suitable itinerary for you.


The Danube Valley

One of the most famous regions Lower Austria is the Danube River (Donau) and its valley, a place of magnificent natural beauty.  The landscape is characterized by vineyards, forested slopes, medieval wine producing villages and imposing fortresses.

The valley is punctuated with picturesque terraced vineyards.  The Wachau which stretches from Melk to Krems an der Donau, is the prettiest section of the Danube valley.


The ruin of Burg Aggstein

An impressive 12th century hilltop castle which is now a ruin, built into the rock and poised high above the banks of the Danube.  In its hay day it measured 100m in length, with tall stairs leading to the Upper Castle.

Built by the notorious Kuenringers, a band of robber barons, it served to repel attacks by Turks and Swedes during the 16th and 17th centuries.

There are many gruesome stories associated with this castle.  The owners used to wait for passing barges and not let them through unless they paid substancial amounts of money.  Were they to refuse they would be imprisoned in the rose garden set on a rocky shelf where they would either die of hunger or jump to their death. 

Today however Burg Aggstein is one of the most popular destinations along this stretch of Danube.  There is a café in the courtyard where one can relax and admire the fantastic views overlooking the valley and the river.


Stift Melk

Melk is one of Austria’s most magnificent monestaries.   It is a vast yellow building perched dramatically on a rocky promontory overlooking the Danube, and a masterpiece of baroque architecture.  Melk has always historically been a site of great importance originally to the Romans and then to the Babenbergs who built a castle here.  In 1089 the they donated the castle to the Benedictine moncs who convereted it into a fortified abbey.

Fire destroyed the original building which was completely rebuilt between 1702 and 1738.  Today it is renowned as a medieval seat of learning and inspired the detective novel The Name of the Rose.

Highlights of the guided tour include the abbey church, the library, the Marmorsaal (Marble Hall) and the superb Kaiserstiege (Imperial Staircase) which leads to the gallery known as the Kaisergang.

The church interior is quite amazing with its gilded stucco embellishments, Italianate paintings, carved pulpit and magnificent dome.  The monastic library contains more than 80,000 books, as well as illuminated manuscripts dating back to the 12th century.

Melk is a must with its amazing marble halls, fantastic frescos and exuberant gilt.  Past visitors include Pope Pius VI, Empress Maria Theresa and Napoleon.


Dürnstein

The walled medieval town of Durnstein idyllically situated high on the hill with breathtaking views over the Danube is 40 minutes from the Castle.  The centre of the village is cobbelled with 16th century houses running either side of the main road.  15-30 minutes climb from the centre is the ruined fortress where King Richard the Lionheart of England was held captive after he had a falling out with Leopold, Duke of Austria in 1193 on the Third Crusade.  Legend has it that the kings faithful French minstral Jean Blondel, discovered him with a song known only to the two of them.  There are many references both to Blondel and King Richard through out the town.

Sampling a glass of local Gruner Veltliner wine with a delicious apfelstrudel, while admiring the stunning views is a must!

For further information on the wachau region please go to the following website  www.wachau.at



Artstetten Castle

Artstetten is owned by the Hohenberg family.  It used to be the summer seat of the Austro-Hungarian Habsburg dynasty and was the family home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand which he inherited from his father Karl Ludwig in 1896.  Franz Ferdinand is in fact buried here.  The Castle frequently has touring exhititions as well as its own permanent display full of family relics, photos and stories.   The original castle was first mentioned in the 13th century and has undergone many changes over the years. The front was rebuilt by Mattäus Grundreching in 1570. Between 1691 and 1698 during the baroque movement reconstruction was completed by Maximilian Braun von Rotenhaus, who added two wings. Both village and schloss were destroyed by fire in 1730 and 1760. The Schloss roof was destroyed in a violent storm in 1791. Additions included the onion-domed towers, a lower 'annex' with two smaller towers.

The Castle is in Kleine Pochlarn, 5km off the main road running along the Danube.


Maria Taferl

This baroque pilgrim church perched high above the Danube Valley, has the most spectacular views across the river.    It is notable for its two onion domes and dark dome-frescoes.  Its altar is a complicated array of figures in gold. 


Steyr

Undoubtedly one of the prettiest cities in Upper Austria.  Cobbled squares fan out into a warren of alleyways and town squares.  In warmer weather locals sit out in cafes.  A lovely place to hire bicycles or simply walk along the river Steyr river banks.
 

Stift St Florian

A magnificent Augustinian abbey.

Schallaburg

Renaissance Castle has annual exhibitions related to Austrian history.


Tulln

On the right bank of the river Danube.  Egon Schiele Museum showing 90 original works by the artist.  There is also a 13th century chapel of the three Wise Men in Tulln.


Spitz

An enchanting wine producing town on the Danube.  High above the town looms the ruin of Hinterhaus Castle with its Gothic bulwark and Renaissance fortifications.  Nice place for lunch and wine tasting.


Gaming

Town which hosts the annual Chopin festival in June.

Reinsberg

4km from Ernegg is a beautiful ruin hosting open air operas in August, set high on a hill with beautiful views.  Good night out.

The town of Waidhofen an der Ybbs

With its beautiful historic gabled houses, arcaded courtyards and dramatic onion domes this is a perfect venue for a bike trail.  Mountain bikes are avaibalbe free of charge and meander along beautiful mountainous country side through a sting of pretty little viallages such as Gostling, Lunz am See and Gamin.

Lunz am See

The stunning Lake at Lunz is one of the deepst on Austria, situated about an hours drive from Schloss Ernegg.  The roads are windy but beautiful and there is a great restaurant overlooking the lake which serves food all day.  You can hire a motor boat or pedelow for the more energetic, even swim in the icy water!


Lackenhof and the Ötscher

Situated about an hour of the most beautiful drive from Schloss Ernegg is Lackenhof.  The town is about 810m above sea level and is located at the bottom of the Otscher mountain.  There are several scenic attractions which one can do from here.  There are lakes to see, caves to visit and canyons.  Numerous waterfalls worth visiting especially the Treffling waterfall, Tormauer, the Teufelskirch, one can even walk to the top of the Otscher Mountain 1.893 mt high which overlooks one third of Austria.  There is a chair lift which takes you the first section of the mountain where there is a café.  After that one walks about 2 ½ hours to the top.  There is also mountain biking, climbging, rafting, canyoning, Nordic walking, riding, tennis, fishing, and swimming available.