Description
How the church became a fortress
It is known as an icon of the Wachau: The parish church of Weißenkirchen, visible from afar. Anyone who steps closer will soon be amazed. The most important surviving "church fortress" in Lower Austria rises up in the heart of the charming wine village. Especially in the 15th century, it was used as a defense against the Turks: With a defensive wall including battlements, embrasures, moats and corner towers. The oldest parts of the church date back to the late Middle Ages and are around 1,000 years old!
The characteristically charming touch of the fortified complex is due to the structurally connected Teisenhofer-Hof: in the 16th century, it was developed into a representative arcaded courtyard with crenellated towers.
Would you have guessed?
The Pöltnerhof right here on the Weißenkirchen market square with its smoke kitchen dates back to the 14th century, even before the discovery of America! There is a whole range of other historic buildings to discover: for example the Turmhof in Bachgasse with its 15th century core.
