Maissau is located on the Manhartsberg, on the border between the Weinviertel and Waldviertel regions. The Amethyst World above Europe’s largest amethyst deposit, the late Baroque–Classical town parish church of St. Vitus, and the cellar lane reveal different sides of the town. There is also a network of hiking trails through vineyards, sunken lanes and clearings, as well as wine culture on display in the cellar lane and at the traditional Stein-Wein Festival. Maissau can therefore be considered in terms of your interests when planning your trip: amethyst means a specific prospecting activity and a cycle route, while the church, museum, sunken lane and lavender display garden offer other cultural and scenic highlights. This lets you decide whether cultural history, trails through the landscape or wine culture should be the focus of your stay.

Amethyst: Prospecting and Cycle Route

The Maissau Amethyst World is located directly above Europe’s largest amethyst deposit. Visitors can prospect for amethysts in the Amethyst Treasure Diggers’ Field; the Amethyst World also has an all-weather gold-panning facility. The Amethyst Cycle Route passes through Maissau and starts and ends at the Amethyst World. This highlights two different ways to experience amethyst: a hands-on activity at the treasure diggers’ field and a cycle route whose start and finish are at the same attraction.

Church and Museum

The town parish church of St. Vitus was rebuilt in 1768 in the late Baroque–Classical style. Its organ dates from 1756 and has a gallery positive organ and musical cherubs. The organ is therefore twelve years older than the church building. Another cultural site is the Gottfried von Einem and Lotte Ingrisch Museum in Oberdürnbach, a village within the municipality of Maissau. It displays original furnishings and a piano. Sacred architectural history and museum exhibits thus offer different cultural interests.

Hiking Trails, Sunken Lane and Lavender

Maissau has a network of twelve new hiking trails that lead through vineyards, sunken lanes and clearings. There is also a signposted walking path known as the Nature Experience Sunken Lane, which has been made accessible again, has a romantic character and is used by many animals. The network brings together several types of landscape to choose from, while the Nature Experience Sunken Lane focuses on a single path. These are two different points of reference for planning a hike: a network of several trails or the named sunken lane.

In Unterdürnbach, the lavender display garden features more than 50 different lavender varieties. Information boards explain the plants, their uses, processing and effects. The garden adds a focus on plants to the trail options, with a variety of lavender types and information about their uses and processing.

Cellar Lane and Wine Culture

Maissau’s cellar lane offers a welcoming atmosphere for strolling and lingering, and is a living testament to the region’s wine culture. At the traditional Stein-Wein Festival, winemakers and artists open their cellar lounges and delight guests with fine Maissau wines and hearty local specialties. The festival brings together wine and food in the open cellar lounges. If you want the festival to determine your travel dates, check the event dates before planning.

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For the higher-level travel overview: Hollabrunn.