Neckenmarkt offers several ways to explore wine, culture and the landscape. The history of winegrowing can be traced back to the Celtic period; the wine shop offers wines and rare vintages from local winemakers. The listed Donatus Chapel is part of the town’s cultural heritage. For outdoor activities, the 18-kilometre WeinStein Trail in Blaufränkischland and the Sonnenland Draisine Tour are highlights; a protected natural area lies around four kilometres northeast of the town. It is worth considering these themes separately: winegrowing traditions and architectural history tell different sides of the story, while hiking, pedalling and the natural area each have their own focus.

Winegrowing Traditions and the Wine Shop

Winegrowing is one way to explore Neckenmarkt’s history: it dates back to the Celtic period. The wine shop in Neckenmarkt offers wines and rare vintages from the town’s winemakers. It is located in the old vaulted cellar of the former town hall; the atmosphere invites visitors to linger and sample the wines. This brings together a historical perspective stretching far back in time and a specific offering from local winemakers. The long history gives winegrowing a historical context, while the wine shop makes the wines’ local origin a tangible feature.

Donatus Chapel

The listed Donatus Chapel was built in 1735 under Abbot Johannes Rohrer. It is dedicated to Saint Donatus, the patron saint of winemakers. Its year of construction, builder and dedication give the building a clear cultural and historical context. The dedication connects it to winegrowing traditions: the link is through the patron saint of winemakers, while the wine shop, with its wines and tastings, offers a different way to explore the same theme.

Hiking or Riding a Draisine?

If you’re choosing an activity, you can decide between hiking and pedalling. The WeinStein Trail is an 18-kilometre hiking trail in Blaufränkischland. Its length is a practical consideration when planning your day. On even-numbered days, the starting station for the Sonnenland Draisine Tour is Horitschon / Neckenmarkt railway station, Bahngasse, 7311 Neckenmarkt. The route is relatively flat, allowing children to pedal without too much effort. Check the current departure schedule before setting off. The two activities offer different ways to get moving: the WeinStein Trail’s length is a planning factor, while the Draisine Tour combines a relatively flat route with a start schedule that depends on the calendar.

The Lange Leitn Natural Area

“Lange Leitn Neckenmarkt” is a distinctive landscape feature. The 29-hectare area is both a Natura 2000 site under the Habitats Directive and a nature forest reserve. It lies on the southern slopes of the Ödenburg Mountains, right on the Austrian-Hungarian border and around four kilometres northeast of Neckenmarkt. Its protected status, area and location define this natural space; unlike the WeinStein Trail, the focus here is not a hiking route but a designated protected area. Its precise location is a useful reference point when considering the landscape features of your trip.

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