Vienna is great, no doubt about it, but sometimes the hustle and bustle gets too much for you and you are drawn out of the city. Fortunately, Vienna is surrounded by nature and small communities that invite you to switch off – another great advantage of our capital city. Today we will introduce you to one such community in more detail. It brings you medieval flair and beautiful vineyards that invite you to take a stroll.
The history of the market town
The region of today’s market town on the edge of the Vienna Woods was settled as early as 6,000 BC. The castle that gave the town its name was built in the 11th century and the town was first mentioned in a document in 1140. At the end of the 13th century , a change of rule took place and the rights passed to the Habsburgs. Under them, the community experienced a boom and was granted market rights. Despite this, the fortified tower of the castle was not completed until 1521 under Emperor Maximilian.
The village was badly affected during the second Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683. Most of the population was expelled, deported or murdered, and large parts of the castle were destroyed and burned down. Initially, the walls were left to themselves and began to decay, but in the course of the 19th and 20th centuries they were rebuilt and renovated.
In the 19th century, Perchtoldsdorf also became a popular summer resort destination for wealthy townspeople. Several villas were built and a cottage district was created in the north of the municipality. The villas still exist today. One villa that no longer stands today is the Kühnel Villa, also known as Perchtoldsdorfer Schloss. It housed a hotel until the 1960s.
During the Second World War, the municipality was annexed to the city of Vienna, but was later reincorporated into Lower Austria. Perchtoldsdorf was largely spared the destruction of the war.
Excursion to Perchtoldsdorf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Gr9-_Hq1M
The castle complex on the market square characterizes the image of Perchtoldsdorf and gives it its ancient charm. Inside, however, the castle has been modernized and is now primarily used as a venue for events. The Perchtelsdorf Summer Games are held in the castle courtyard every year. You can visit the castle as part of a guided tour of the site or museum. You can climb the 60-metre-high fortified tower, which is characteristic of the municipality, on Sundays and public holidays from 1 pm to 6 pm between May and September. But the tower is also worth a visit from the outside.
Around the market square you will find remnants of the former walls that once surrounded the square and some of the castle houses have also been preserved. The Trinity Column, which dates back to 1713, stands prominently in the middle of the market square. Perchtoldsdorf was hardly affected by the plague, which is why the plague column was erected out of gratitude.
If you are more in the mood for nature, head to the Föhrenberge Nature Park in the west of Perchtoldsdorf. There you will find the Perchtoldsdorfer Heide, where you can spot rare animals and plants. In autumn, you can also take a trip to the vineyards when the leaves on the vines turn a beautiful color. From here you have a romantic view of the castle. Last but not least, the market town is located on the edge of the Vienna Woods, where you can also go for a lovely walk.