Gmünd Castle, the protected historic district around the town square and the granite formations of the Blockheide Nature Park offer different ways to discover Gmünd: architectural history, city history and nature. There are also museums and crafts, a landscape of ponds, swimming and sauna facilities, and rail connections. When choosing accommodation, you can tailor your stay to what matters most to you – historic sites, paths through green spaces or relaxation.

Architectural and City History

Gmünd Castle is considered the oldest building in the city. The three-storey, four-winged building has a gate tower, a southwestern keep and a southwestern chapel tower. These named parts give the castle a clearly articulated form. There are also two 16th-century sgraffito houses on the town square. The entire town square is now a protected historic district – a destination in its own right if you are interested in historic architecture in an urban setting.

St Stephen’s Parish Church is also part of Gmünd’s architectural character: it is a Gothic, three-nave church with a pitched roof and a west tower. The City Museum is housed in the Old Town Hall, which dates from the 16th century. A film shown there covers the division of the city after the First World War and the development of Gmünd-Neustadt. The House of Contemporary Gmünd History focuses on the history of the Gmünd refugee camp and the development of the border and the region along the Iron Curtain. The buildings and the city’s history thus offer distinct subjects to discover.

Museums and Crafts

The Glass and Stone Museum explores two industries that were once important to the Upper Waldviertel: glass and stone. The “Old Farrier and Wagon Workshop” museum is housed in one of Gmünd’s oldest buildings. On selected dates in summer, you can experience traditional blacksmithing there at a live demonstration; check the current schedule for details. The Glasatelier Burger offers a contemporary take on craftsmanship: colourful glass objects are made there entirely by hand, and every piece is unique. The 1st Waldviertel Children’s Workshop offers craft workshops for children aged four and over.

Granite, Ponds and the Lainsitz

Granite natural monuments and balancing rocks are defining features of the Blockheide Nature Park. Named formations include Teufelsbett, Teufelsbrotlaib, Grillensteine and Koboldsteine. Four themed circular trails start at the information centre. Both the distinctive rock formations and the range of themed trails are highlights here.

The Gmünd Pond Chain Trail reveals a different landscape: it connects ten natural ponds, most edged with reed belts, and is accompanied by old oak trees. By contrast, the Blockheide is defined by its granite formations; ponds, reeds and oaks shape the scenery along the Pond Chain Trail. The Lainsitz floodplain, meanwhile, is a nature reserve between Gmünd and the Czech border. It includes species-rich wet meadows and flood meadows.

The water buffalo pasture, covering about 12 hectares, is close to the Lainsitz in the city of Gmünd. It is easily reached via a central path and has two viewing and information points. Separately from the water buffalo pasture, animals can be observed from the Lainsitz viewing platforms from May to October. If you are planning a visit, check the current conditions on site.

Swimming, Saunas and Getting There

The Sole Felsen Welt combines a water park, sauna and thermal baths. Facilities include relaxation pools, a sports pool, a giant slide and a children’s paddling area. The sauna area features guided infusions, the Achat, Zirben, Kristall and Wald saunas, a steam room, a Felsen Hamam, a sauna relaxation lagoon and a natural lake. Gmünd’s Strandbad is a natural swimming pond of about seven hectares, with a sandy beach. It has a ball court; parasols, loungers, volleyballs and badminton sets are also available for hire. These facilities may change seasonally.

For travel by train, there is a direct connection from Vienna to Gmünd station on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn. The historic Waldviertelbahn runs between Gmünd and Groß Gerungs, and between Gmünd and Litschau. Check the timetable for your travel dates. The Iron Curtain Trail also starts in Gmünd if you would like to plan your trip around a cycling route.

Discover more destinations: Kirchberg Am Walde, Sankt Wolfgang, Ullrichs, Lauterbach, Litschau, Eggern, Haugschlag, Hirschenwies

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