Zwingendorf can be explored through two very different themes: salt-influenced nature reserves and places of remembrance relating to history across the border. The nature trail through the Glaubersalz steppe makes the landscape a tangible destination; the village museum, local history room and cellar lane add natural history and local heritage to your visit. When planning, you can treat nature and culture as separate focal points rather than combining them into a single route.
Nature between salt soils and rare species
Two nature reserves lie within the cadastral area of Zwingendorf: Glaubersalzsteppe and Saliterweide. These salt habitats are home to rare plants and small animals, some of which are unique across Lower Austria or Austria, including halophytes. The sea milkwort (Glaux maritima) holds a special place: elsewhere in the entire Central European continental region, it is not found growing on such an extensive scale as it does in Zwingendorf’s salt habitats.
The nature trail through the Glaubersalz steppe uses multilingual, interactive information boards to explain the importance of this nature reserve and is also designed for children. It is freely accessible at any time. A nature conservation exhibition in the village museum provides information about the rare to unique fauna and flora of the Glaubersalzsteppe and Saliterweide. Those wishing to learn about these habitats not only as landscapes but also through their plant and animal life will find two different ways to do so.
Church, museum and remembrance of Joslowitz
The Catholic parish church of St. Lawrence in Zwingendorf is a listed monument. Its dedication to St. Lawrence dates back to 1784. The Zwingendorf Village Museum was established in 1990 in the Alte SchrotmĂĽhle (Old Mill). The Joslowitz local history room offers a different historical perspective: it documents the history, culture and social life of Joslowitz, now Jaroslavice, as well as the expulsion of the German residents in 1945/1946.
The Zwingendorf memorial commemorates the former home community of Joslowitz and is located 500 metres from the border. The sites therefore offer different perspectives: the parish church represents Zwingendorf’s religious heritage, while the local history room and memorial focus on Joslowitz and its history.
On foot, by bike and along the cellar lane
The Zwingendorf cellar lane on the Schatzberg is a historic, extensive cellar path featuring an old wine press and lovingly restored cellar buildings. Atmospheric events such as guided tours and lantern walks offer a chance to explore the little wine world of the cellar lane. If you plan these activities during your stay, check the dates for your travel period.
From the memorial near Zwingendorf, you can walk across the border to Joslowitz along a road or farm track via Europaplatz, following the border line. Stage 6 leads to Zwingendorf; there, the MottschĂĽttelbach accompanies the route between fields as far as the Glaubersalz soils. The stage also reaches the lovingly preserved and restored Zwingendorfer Schatz, a cellar lane with inviting places to stop and rest.
The Naturjuwelenradroute – small loop is a cycling tour that starts from Laa an der Thaya or the thermal hotel and passes through Zwingendorf. When finding your way, note the difference between the routes: a hike with Joslowitz as its destination, or a cycling tour that passes through Zwingendorf.
Discover more destinations: BockflieĂź, Patzmannsdorf, Pottenhofen, Bernhardsthal, Hausbrunn, Poysdorf, Neudorf Bei Staatz, WildendĂĽrnbach.
Go to the main travel overview: Mistelbach.
