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Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld: Delve into worlds of wonder

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The Danube region in Lower Austria Foreign Languages


After passing through Vienna, the Danube reaches the region of Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld. The eastern part of Lower Austria, which also forms a border with Slovakia, is a gateway to various different worlds of wonder: a world of the Baroque, reflected by the striking castles of Marchfeld, a world of meadows in the fascinating Donau-Auen national park and a world of the Romans in the form of excellent authentic wines and the Roman City Carnuntum.

The Pannonian plains begin in the Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld region, to the east of Vienna. The plains offer vast areas of fertile land. They once formed the border with the East and have today developed to become a region of interesting wines and excellent cuisine: the Carnuntum Roman Vine Trail has become one of Austria's most up-and-coming winegrowing areas, producing highly regarded Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch red wines.

Innovative winegrowing scene
Robust soils and young up-and-coming vineyards in the winegrowing centres surrounding Prellenkirchen, Göttlesbrunn, Höflein and Bruck an der Leitha have helped secure the region's reputation as an excellent winegrowing region. Cosy wine taverns, which can easily be accessed via the region's beautiful cycle tracks, offer regional delights such as the well-known 'Primus Carnuntum' cabinet wine or the 'Rubin Carnuntum'.

Dining in Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld
The region of Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld is renowned for its culinary specialities. Guests flock to the region each year during the asparagus and game season. The region's excellent speciality fish restaurants are also extremely popular.

THE WORLD OF THE ROMANS
Around 2,000 years ago, a significant metropolis in the Roman empire was established in the region of Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld. In 6 AD, Kaiser Tiberius went on to build his fortified Winter residence in the Carnuntum area, at the current site of Petronell, some 50 km east of Vienna.

The Roman settlement of Carnuntum
Carnuntum has certainly been in the spotlight of world politics over the centuries, developing to become the capital of the kingdom of Noricum, linked to Rome, and later the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia. In its heyday, the city was a sophisticated meeting place for 'young Romans' with a port on the Danube, a progressive bathing culture offering public thermal springs and an amphitheatre holding 13,000 visitors. The break-up of the Roman empire in around 400 AD signalled the end of the history of Carnuntum. The city was abandoned by its residents and became a desolate place where no further developments took place.

Experience Ancient Rome
Today, the Roman City Carnuntum is one of Lower Austria's top destinations, offering an impressive insight into this once wealthy and flourishing centre for trade and crafts on the Danube of Lower Austria. The landmark feature of Carnuntum is the Heidentor (Heathens' Gate), Austria's oldest Roman monument. Visitors can also take a trip back to the times of Ancient Rome at the Roman City Carnuntum: Roman festivals as well as gladiator shows are organised here. Visitors can also visit the 'home of drapier Lucius', just as the Ancient Romans would have done. The building has been constructed on historic Roman walls using original methods of construction.

THE WORLD OF THE BAROQUE ERA
The numerous Baroque castles in the region of Römerland Carnuntum - Marchfeld represent culture at the highest level. Anyone wanting to make an impression during the 18th century would have turned to the endless expanses of the Marchfeld area as a retreat and hunting ground. The impressive and magnificently located Marchfeld castles bear testament to this era.

Imperial worlds at the Schloss Hof
Prince Eugene of Savoy acquired the castle in 1726 and employed renowned Baroque architect Lukas von Hildebrand to undertake renovation work and transform it into an impressive building. After laying idle for many years, this treasure was re-opened to visitors in 2005 following extensive renovations. The site's unique princely architecture and masterfully designed land covers more than 50 hectares. With magnificent imperial apartments, one of Austria's most beautiful early Neo-Classical ballrooms, a dome-vaulted two-storey castle chapel and Central Europe's largest Baroque dairy farm, the site certainly reflects the magic of this imperial age. Some of the world's top landscape architects have also re-injected a touch of original flair back into the splendid Baroque gardens, which are spread over seven terraces. Old breeds of farm and wild animals in the petting zoo and menagerie are also a perfect attraction for children.

A pleasure palace in Marchfeld
The Schloss Niederweiden castle offers a charming contrast with the powerful Schloss Hof. Designed partly in the French 'pleasure palace' style and partly based on the model of the magnificent villas of Upper Italy, it harmoniously combines both Baroque representational requirements and a rustic sense of comfort. Like the Schloss Hof, the Schloss Niederweiden was also once owned by Prince Eugene, before being acquired by Empress Maria Theresia.

Tracing the footsteps of the monarchy
The former imperial Jagdschloss Eckartsau hunting lodge plays host to a traditional chamber music festival in June. The impressive ballroom and numerous hunting trophies won by former heir to the throne, Franz Ferdinand, tell tales of the glory and brilliance of the Habsburg era. The Danube Monarchy also ended here: the last Austrian ruling couple fled from here in exile. Particularly exciting features are the night tours of the castle, opening up a world of secrets by dark.

Baroque painters and Joseph Haydn
The town of Rohrau is also worth a visit and is home to Haydn's place of birth and the Harrach'schen art gallery at the Schloss Rohrau castle. This private collection of the Earls of Harrach spans a period of more than 450 years and as such is one of the most important private collections in the world.

A WORLD OF MEADOWS
In the paradise-like idyllic backwaters of the Danube and primitive wilderness of one of Europe's last-remaining virgin forests, the meadow landscapes of the eastern Danube of Lower Austria have one more gem to offer: the Donau-Auen National Park with its fascinating world of plants and animals, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience of nature. Visitors can enjoy guided walks here as well as dinghy and canoe trips along the backwaters of the Danube.

The Donau-Auen park is home to more than 700 species of plant and more than 30 types of mammal, 100 species of bird, 8 kinds of reptile and 13 species of amphibian. Thousands of small insects and 50 species of fish have also made this their home. The 'DonAUräume' exhibition in the Schloss Orth national park centre provides all kinds of information about the Donau Auen national park. Visitors can now also explore the site on the castle island through experience and underwater observation stations. Visitors wanting to delve deeper into the world of the Donau-Auen park can also take a guided tour with a national park ranger.


Information & Bookings
Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus GmbH
A-3620 Spitz an der Donau, Schlossgasse 3
T: +43 2713 30060-60
F: +43 2713 30060-30
E: urlaub@donau.com 
www.donau.com
 

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For further information and questions please contact:
Jutta Mucha-Zachar

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