If you’re looking to get out of Vienna for the weekend and visit one of the surrounding villages or small towns, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Places like Perchtelsdorf or Hainburg an der Donau take you on a journey back in time to the Middle Ages and let you forget about everyday life for a while. Hainburg in Lower Austria, in particular, stands out for its well-preserved city fortifications and takes you on a journey through history. Located between two European capitals, you’ll almost feel like you’re in a parallel world here, just waiting to be discovered.
Impressive fortifications
Hainburg an der Donau borders directly on Vienna’s twin city, Bratislava, and is thus considered Austria’s easternmost city. It was first mentioned in the Nibelungenlied as the place where Kriemhild and Etzel spent the night on their honeymoon. Construction of Heimenburg began as early as 1050, and its ruins still tower over the town of Hainburg today. In the 13th century, the fortifications were further expanded, parts of which still exist today. The town still boasts 2.5 kilometers of the original city wall, as well as three of the city gates and a total of 15 towers.
One of these gates is the Wienertor, considered the largest surviving medieval city gate in Europe. It is a double-tower gate with an early Gothic superstructure from the 13th century, standing 20 meters tall. Inside, you’ll find a local history museum that displays artifacts from the Thirty Years’ War and the Industrial Revolution. You can visit the museum from May through October for a €5 admission fee .
Medieval Hainburg
In addition to the Wienertor, you can of course also visit the rest of the city fortifications, including the Ungartor and the Fischertor, as well as the various towers. The best way to see the entire complex is to take the city wall loop trail. The loop takes about 45 minutes. You can also visit the ruins of the old Heimenburg Castle during your trip. Every year, the Burgspiele (Castle Festival) takes place here for all those who can’t get enough of the Middle Ages.
The town center of Hainburg is also worth a visit. Here you’ll find the Marian Column, considered one of the most beautiful Rococo columns in Austria . The parish church forms the center and impresses inside with its chandeliers and imposing organ. The glass structure of the modern Martin Luther Church provides a contrast. The former town center is the Anger, where you can still find the ossuary and the pillory today. The composer Joseph Haydn has been immortalized twice in Hainburg with a bust and a fountain. If you want to continue your journey after your visit, you can take the bus from Hainburg to Bratislava to explore the next city right away.
