Wiener Neustadt

Wiener Neustadt is a city and Vienna suburb in Lower Austria, Austria.

The city was nearly completely destroyed in World War II, therefore there are not many historic buildings left. Traditionally Wiener Neustadt is an industrial suburban town. It's also a commercial center for the surrounding area. There are many schools, among them the primary military academy of Austria. For travellers the city might be a starting point to explore the southern parts of Greater Vienna: to the west there are the foothills of the alps, to the east Neusiedler See and Hungary are not far away, and to the north central Vienna.

• Stadtmarketing und Tourismus Wiener Neustadt, Hauptplatz 1-3 (next to City Hall, +43 2622 373-311. M-F 09:00-13:00, 13:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-13:00. Can offer assistance with accommodation and bookings.

Stadtmarketing und Tourismus Wiener Neustadt, Hauptplatz 1-3 (next to City Hall, +43 2622 373-311. M-F 09:00-13:00, 13:30-18:00; Sa 09:00-13:00. Can offer assistance with accommodation and bookings.

• Castle, Burgplatz 1. Built in the 13th century and later enlarged, this is the home of the Theresian Military Academy, established in 1752 and the first military academy in Europe. During WWII it was a German military academy, with Rommel as commandant. The building sustained heavy damage during the war and was subsequently rebuilt; today it is used once more as the Austrian officers' academy.
  • St George's Church, +43 2622 3812030. Tours daily 08:00-16:00. Located in the only corner of the castle to survive WWII, the 15th-century chapel was largely rebuilt. Of special note are three medieval stained glass windows. On the outside courtyard wall is the Heraldic Wall (Wappenwand), with 14 real and 93 imaginary Habsburg coats-of-arms.
• Spinnerin am Kreuz, Wiener Straße. A 21m-high stone Gothic column, designed by the Master Michael Knab and erected between 1382-1384; a sister column is located in the Favoriten district in Vienna. According to medieval legend the column was erected in thanks for the safe return of a husband from the crusades. Free.
• City Museum of Wiener Neustadt, Petersgasse 2a, +43 2622 373 951. W 10:00-16:00, Th 10:00-20:00, F-Su and holidays 10:00-16:00. Housed in a former Dominican monastery, this museum has historic artifacts relating to the history of the city and wider region, and hosts regular special exhibitions. €4 (adults), €1.50 (concessions).
• Aviaticum Flight Museum, Ferdinand-Graf-von-Zeppelin-Straße 1, +43 2622 88630. T-Su 10:00-20:00. Wiener Neustadt was the cradle of Austrian aviation, and this museum is dedicated to its history. One of the highlights on display is the only surviving and still operable Etrich Taube monoplane from 1912. €5.50 (adults), €2.50 (children 6-14).
• Jewish Cemetery, Wiener Straße 95, +43 676 7366121 (registration required at least 4 days in advance). Apr-May, Sep-Oct; closed on F evening, Sa, and Jewish holidays. Until 1938 Wiener Neustadt had the second-largest community of Jews in Lower Austria. The cemetery was in use from the 13th to the 20th centuries, and is now maintained by the city along with the Jewish community of Vienna. At present the only way to visit is to call beforehand and arrange for a tour, lasting about 1.5-2 hours. Men are required to have their heads covered. €10.
• Industrieviertel-Museum, Anna Rieger-Gasse 4, +43 2622 26015. M-Th 10:00-16:00, F 10:00-18:00. This historic building, formerly an iron forge, now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the industrial revolution in Lower Austria. €4 (adults), €1.50 (concessions).
• Reckturm, Reyergasse, +43 622 27924, +43 676 5829168. May-Oct: T-Th 10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00, and the first Sa and Su of the month 10:00-12:00. This tower dates to the early 13th century, and is attached to one of the last remaining pieces of the city fortification, which was mostly demolished in the 19th century. In its early history the tower served as a jail and torture chamber, and now houses a small museum with old weapons and torture implements.
• Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt, Domplatz. A late-Romanesque cathedral, with foundations dating to 1279. Much of the original interior was unfortunately destroyed during remodeling in the Baroque period, and the original Gothic stained glass windows are now found in museums as far afield as Glasgow and New York. In the 19th century the 64m-high twin towers were rebuilt after several earthquakes rendered them unstable, and since then the cathedral has been restored to its original Romanesque-Gothic form.
  • Tower Museum, +43 2622 373-950, +43 2622 373-951. May-Oct 10:30, 14:30 (in good weather). Tours of the towers are conducted by the City Museum (see listing above). €2 (adults), €1 (concessions).
• City Hall, Hauptplatz. This building has served as the city hall since 1401. The current appearance dates from the Baroque period.
• Tin Figure Museum, Hauptstraße 69, Katzelsdorf (8 min SE of Wiener Neustadt, +43 2622 78250 or +43 2622 78200. Sa Su and holidays 10:00-17:00; closed 24-31 Dec. This museum houses the largest tin figure collection in Austria, with over 30,000 specimens. An onsite shop sells reproductions. €5.50 (adults), €4.50 (seniors), €2 (children 6-14).
• International Frontale Film Festival, Stadttheater Wiener Neustadt. Since 2011, this festival has shown feature films from all over the world and hosted an international short film competition. International filmmakers visit the city and you might meet some at after show parties.

Castle, Burgplatz 1. Built in the 13th century and later enlarged, this is the home of the Theresian Military Academy, established in 1752 and the first military academy in Europe. During WWII it was a German military academy, with Rommel as commandant. The building sustained heavy damage during the war and was subsequently rebuilt; today it is used once more as the Austrian officers' academy.

• St George's Church, +43 2622 3812030. Tours daily 08:00-16:00. Located in the only corner of the castle to survive WWII, the 15th-century chapel was largely rebuilt. Of special note are three medieval stained glass windows. On the outside courtyard wall is the Heraldic Wall (Wappenwand), with 14 real and 93 imaginary Habsburg coats-of-arms.

Castle, Burgplatz 1. Built in the 13th century and later enlarged, this is the home of the Theresian Military Academy, established in 1752 and the first military academy in Europe. During WWII it was a German military academy, with Rommel as commandant. The building sustained heavy damage during the war and was subsequently rebuilt; today it is used once more as the Austrian officers' academy.

• St George's Church, +43 2622 3812030. Tours daily 08:00-16:00. Located in the only corner of the castle to survive WWII, the 15th-century chapel was largely rebuilt. Of special note are three medieval stained glass windows. On the outside courtyard wall is the Heraldic Wall (Wappenwand), with 14 real and 93 imaginary Habsburg coats-of-arms.

Spinnerin am Kreuz, Wiener Straße. A 21m-high stone Gothic column, designed by the Master Michael Knab and erected between 1382-1384; a sister column is located in the Favoriten district in Vienna. According to medieval legend the column was erected in thanks for the safe return of a husband from the crusades. Free.

City Museum of Wiener Neustadt, Petersgasse 2a, +43 2622 373 951. W 10:00-16:00, Th 10:00-20:00, F-Su and holidays 10:00-16:00. Housed in a former Dominican monastery, this museum has historic artifacts relating to the history of the city and wider region, and hosts regular special exhibitions. €4 (adults), €1.50 (concessions).

Aviaticum Flight Museum, Ferdinand-Graf-von-Zeppelin-Straße 1, +43 2622 88630. T-Su 10:00-20:00. Wiener Neustadt was the cradle of Austrian aviation, and this museum is dedicated to its history. One of the highlights on display is the only surviving and still operable Etrich Taube monoplane from 1912. €5.50 (adults), €2.50 (children 6-14).

Jewish Cemetery, Wiener Straße 95, +43 676 7366121 (registration required at least 4 days in advance). Apr-May, Sep-Oct; closed on F evening, Sa, and Jewish holidays. Until 1938 Wiener Neustadt had the second-largest community of Jews in Lower Austria. The cemetery was in use from the 13th to the 20th centuries, and is now maintained by the city along with the Jewish community of Vienna. At present the only way to visit is to call beforehand and arrange for a tour, lasting about 1.5-2 hours. Men are required to have their heads covered. €10.

Industrieviertel-Museum, Anna Rieger-Gasse 4, +43 2622 26015. M-Th 10:00-16:00, F 10:00-18:00. This historic building, formerly an iron forge, now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the industrial revolution in Lower Austria. €4 (adults), €1.50 (concessions).

Reckturm, Reyergasse, +43 622 27924, +43 676 5829168. May-Oct: T-Th 10:00-12:00, 14:00-16:00, and the first Sa and Su of the month 10:00-12:00. This tower dates to the early 13th century, and is attached to one of the last remaining pieces of the city fortification, which was mostly demolished in the 19th century. In its early history the tower served as a jail and torture chamber, and now houses a small museum with old weapons and torture implements.

Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt, Domplatz. A late-Romanesque cathedral, with foundations dating to 1279. Much of the original interior was unfortunately destroyed during remodeling in the Baroque period, and the original Gothic stained glass windows are now found in museums as far afield as Glasgow and New York. In the 19th century the 64m-high twin towers were rebuilt after several earthquakes rendered them unstable, and since then the cathedral has been restored to its original Romanesque-Gothic form.

• Tower Museum, +43 2622 373-950, +43 2622 373-951. May-Oct 10:30, 14:30 (in good weather). Tours of the towers are conducted by the City Museum (see listing above). €2 (adults), €1 (concessions).

Cathedral of Wiener Neustadt, Domplatz. A late-Romanesque cathedral, with foundations dating to 1279. Much of the original interior was unfortunately destroyed during remodeling in the Baroque period, and the original Gothic stained glass windows are now found in museums as far afield as Glasgow and New York. In the 19th century the 64m-high twin towers were rebuilt after several earthquakes rendered them unstable, and since then the cathedral has been restored to its original Romanesque-Gothic form.

• Tower Museum, +43 2622 373-950, +43 2622 373-951. May-Oct 10:30, 14:30 (in good weather). Tours of the towers are conducted by the City Museum (see listing above). €2 (adults), €1 (concessions).

City Hall, Hauptplatz. This building has served as the city hall since 1401. The current appearance dates from the Baroque period.

Tin Figure Museum, Hauptstraße 69, Katzelsdorf (8 min SE of Wiener Neustadt, +43 2622 78250 or +43 2622 78200. Sa Su and holidays 10:00-17:00; closed 24-31 Dec. This museum houses the largest tin figure collection in Austria, with over 30,000 specimens. An onsite shop sells reproductions. €5.50 (adults), €4.50 (seniors), €2 (children 6-14).

International Frontale Film Festival, Stadttheater Wiener Neustadt. Since 2011, this festival has shown feature films from all over the world and hosted an international short film competition. International filmmakers visit the city and you might meet some at after show parties.

Friday or Saturday night go to Herrengasse close to the city centre. There are many bars and sometimes fun nightlife.

• Aqua Nova, Ferdinand-Graf-von-Zeppelin-Straße 12, +43 26 22 89 000. Swimming pool: daily 09:00-22:00; segregated sauna: W 09:00-16:00; co-ed sauna: M-T 09:00-22:00, W 16:00-22:00, Th-Su and holidays 09:00-22:00. Public swimming pool, with segregated and co-ed saunas. 2 hrs: €4.90 (adults), €4.40 (concessions); 3 hrs: €6.70 (adults), €5.50 (concessions); 4 hrs: €8.50 (adults), €7.50 (concessions); 1 day: €12 (adults), €9.50 (concessions).
• Paintball.at, Lichtenwörther Strasse 3, +43 664-3013771. Open year-round. Play Paintball on the outskirts of the city. The paintball field is one of the most modern in all Austria. €10-€45.
• Schifferlfahren, Rechte Kanalzeile 69, +43 664 142 9736 (reservations accepted). May-Jun, Sep-Oct: M-Th 16:00-, F Sa 14:00-, Su and holidays 10:00-; Jun-Aug: daily 10:00-; closed during bad weather. Rents out river kayaks for paddling on the Wiener Neustadt Kanal. €4 (½hr), €7 (1hr), €3 (ea additional ½hr).

Aqua Nova, Ferdinand-Graf-von-Zeppelin-Straße 12, +43 26 22 89 000. Swimming pool: daily 09:00-22:00; segregated sauna: W 09:00-16:00; co-ed sauna: M-T 09:00-22:00, W 16:00-22:00, Th-Su and holidays 09:00-22:00. Public swimming pool, with segregated and co-ed saunas. 2 hrs: €4.90 (adults), €4.40 (concessions); 3 hrs: €6.70 (adults), €5.50 (concessions); 4 hrs: €8.50 (adults), €7.50 (concessions); 1 day: €12 (adults), €9.50 (concessions).

Paintball.at, Lichtenwörther Strasse 3, +43 664-3013771. Open year-round. Play Paintball on the outskirts of the city. The paintball field is one of the most modern in all Austria. €10-€45.

Schifferlfahren, Rechte Kanalzeile 69, +43 664 142 9736 (reservations accepted). May-Jun, Sep-Oct: M-Th 16:00-, F Sa 14:00-, Su and holidays 10:00-; Jun-Aug: daily 10:00-; closed during bad weather. Rents out river kayaks for paddling on the Wiener Neustadt Kanal. €4 (½hr), €7 (1hr), €3 (ea additional ½hr).

• Einkaufszentrum Fischapark, Zehnergürtel 12-24, +43 2622 25101. Mall: M-Th 09:00-19:00, F 09:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-18:00; Interspar: M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 08:00-18:00. The second largest mall in Lower Austria, with an Interspar grocery store.
• Special flea market, Hauptplatz, +43 2622 373-511. 3rd Sa of the month 08:00-16:00. Items on offer include books, stamps, coins, cameras, etc.
• Weekly flea market, Herzog Leopold-Straße (between Karolinengasse and Adlergasse, +43 2622 373-511. S 07:00-13:00. Items for sale include handmade arts and crafts, handmade pots, wood carvings, and antiques, as well as textiles and secondhand clothes.
• Daily and weekly markets, Hauptplatz, +43 2622 373-511. M-F 07:00-18:00, Sa 08:00-14:00 Uhr. A traditional farmers market with plenty of fresh local produce, sausages, and flowers.

Einkaufszentrum Fischapark, Zehnergürtel 12-24, +43 2622 25101. Mall: M-Th 09:00-19:00, F 09:00-20:00, Sa 09:00-18:00; Interspar: M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 08:00-18:00. The second largest mall in Lower Austria, with an Interspar grocery store.

Special flea market, Hauptplatz, +43 2622 373-511. 3rd Sa of the month 08:00-16:00. Items on offer include books, stamps, coins, cameras, etc.

Weekly flea market, Herzog Leopold-Straße (between Karolinengasse and Adlergasse, +43 2622 373-511. S 07:00-13:00. Items for sale include handmade arts and crafts, handmade pots, wood carvings, and antiques, as well as textiles and secondhand clothes.

Daily and weekly markets, Hauptplatz, +43 2622 373-511. M-F 07:00-18:00, Sa 08:00-14:00 Uhr. A traditional farmers market with plenty of fresh local produce, sausages, and flowers.

The Wiener Neustadt Tourist Office (see listing above in 'Understand') has a helpful PDF listing all restaurants located in the city.

• Hartig's Heurigen, Domplatz 2, +43 2622 22258. Daily 11:30-24:00; kitchen M-Sa 11:30-22:00, Su and holidays 11:30-21:00. Good and reasonable prices.

Hartig's Heurigen, Domplatz 2, +43 2622 22258. Daily 11:30-24:00; kitchen M-Sa 11:30-22:00, Su and holidays 11:30-21:00. Good and reasonable prices.

The train station offers free Wifi access via their network "OEBBfree" thanks to the Austrian railroad company.

• Eisenstein Cave, Bad Fischau-Brunn (5km west of Wiener Neustadt, +43 2639 7577, +43 676 5402315. Jul-Aug every 1st and 3rd weekend, Sa 13:00-17:00, Su 10:00-17:00; May-Jun Sep-Oct every 1st and 3rd weekend by prior arrangement only. Located in a former quarry, this show cave was discovered in 1855. The cave is 2341m long and 73m deep, and contains three hot springs. Free.
• Bad Fischau Art Rest Area, A2, Bad Fischau-Brunn (A2 southbound, 10km NW of Wiener Neustadt; access also possible from Wiener Straße, +43 2639 2411. 24hrs. An autobahn rest area designed by the Viennese artist/architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It has a petrol station as well as a restaurant.
• Hohe Wand Nature Park, Ortsstraße 33, Hohe Wand-Maiersdorf (10km west of Wiener Neustadt, +43 26 38 88 545. Located in the Gutenstein Alps, the northeastern most fringe of the Alps, this park encompasses 230m-high cliffs as well as several limestone caves. Highlights include the Skywalk Hohe Wand, the Alpine Museum (see listing below), and several caves. Popular recreational activities include rock climbing (with both via ferrata and on open terrain), hiking (trails of 1-6 hours), hang gliding, and paragliding. For accommodation there are a number of guesthouses (Gasthäuser) within the park, as well as restaurants and cafés. A brochure with map and listings is available for download (in German only). €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15), free (NÖ Card); on weekends there is toll charge of €2/auto for the Hohe Wand Straße.
  • Alpine Museum, Ortstraße 33, +43 2638 88545. Easter-Oct T-Su 09:00-18:00, Nov-Easter Sa Su and holidays 09:00-18:00. Without park admission: €2; with park admission: €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15).
  • Unicorn Cave, +43 2633 42553, +43 664 2343467. Easter-Sep Su and holidays 09:00-17:00; other times by prior arrangement. This limestone show cave was discovered in 1927, and contains the remains of cave bears as well as stalagmites and stalagtites. €4 (adults), €2.50 (children).
• Seebenstein Castle, Bergschloß 1, Seebenstein (15km south of Wiener Neustadt, +43 664 91 34 751. Tours only: Easter-Oct Sa Su and holidays 14:00, 15:00. The castle was first built in the 11th century; the current structures date from the 13-14th centuries and from the 15-17th centuries. The castle changed hands a number of times, and successfully withstood a Turkish siege in 1683. It houses a valuable art collection, which includes a 15th-century wooden carved Madonna by Tilman Riemenschneider. The castle is privately owned and can be visited only with a guided tour. €5 (adults), €4 (students), €2 (children 5-15).
• Türkensturz Castle Ruins, Seebenstein (Naturpark Türkensturz-Seebenstein. A romantic 'artificial' ruined castle from the early 19th century. A footpath leads to the castle, which offers good views over the surrounding area. Free.

Eisenstein Cave, Bad Fischau-Brunn (5km west of Wiener Neustadt, +43 2639 7577, +43 676 5402315. Jul-Aug every 1st and 3rd weekend, Sa 13:00-17:00, Su 10:00-17:00; May-Jun Sep-Oct every 1st and 3rd weekend by prior arrangement only. Located in a former quarry, this show cave was discovered in 1855. The cave is 2341m long and 73m deep, and contains three hot springs. Free.

Bad Fischau Art Rest Area, A2, Bad Fischau-Brunn (A2 southbound, 10km NW of Wiener Neustadt; access also possible from Wiener Straße, +43 2639 2411. 24hrs. An autobahn rest area designed by the Viennese artist/architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. It has a petrol station as well as a restaurant.

Hohe Wand Nature Park, Ortsstraße 33, Hohe Wand-Maiersdorf (10km west of Wiener Neustadt, +43 26 38 88 545. Located in the Gutenstein Alps, the northeastern most fringe of the Alps, this park encompasses 230m-high cliffs as well as several limestone caves. Highlights include the Skywalk Hohe Wand, the Alpine Museum (see listing below), and several caves. Popular recreational activities include rock climbing (with both via ferrata and on open terrain), hiking (trails of 1-6 hours), hang gliding, and paragliding. For accommodation there are a number of guesthouses (Gasthäuser) within the park, as well as restaurants and cafés. A brochure with map and listings is available for download (in German only). €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15), free (NÖ Card); on weekends there is toll charge of €2/auto for the Hohe Wand Straße.

• Alpine Museum, Ortstraße 33, +43 2638 88545. Easter-Oct T-Su 09:00-18:00, Nov-Easter Sa Su and holidays 09:00-18:00. Without park admission: €2; with park admission: €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15).
• Unicorn Cave, +43 2633 42553, +43 664 2343467. Easter-Sep Su and holidays 09:00-17:00; other times by prior arrangement. This limestone show cave was discovered in 1927, and contains the remains of cave bears as well as stalagmites and stalagtites. €4 (adults), €2.50 (children).

Hohe Wand Nature Park, Ortsstraße 33, Hohe Wand-Maiersdorf (10km west of Wiener Neustadt, +43 26 38 88 545. Located in the Gutenstein Alps, the northeastern most fringe of the Alps, this park encompasses 230m-high cliffs as well as several limestone caves. Highlights include the Skywalk Hohe Wand, the Alpine Museum (see listing below), and several caves. Popular recreational activities include rock climbing (with both via ferrata and on open terrain), hiking (trails of 1-6 hours), hang gliding, and paragliding. For accommodation there are a number of guesthouses (Gasthäuser) within the park, as well as restaurants and cafés. A brochure with map and listings is available for download (in German only). €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15), free (NÖ Card); on weekends there is toll charge of €2/auto for the Hohe Wand Straße.

• Alpine Museum, Ortstraße 33, +43 2638 88545. Easter-Oct T-Su 09:00-18:00, Nov-Easter Sa Su and holidays 09:00-18:00. Without park admission: €2; with park admission: €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15).
• Unicorn Cave, +43 2633 42553, +43 664 2343467. Easter-Sep Su and holidays 09:00-17:00; other times by prior arrangement. This limestone show cave was discovered in 1927, and contains the remains of cave bears as well as stalagmites and stalagtites. €4 (adults), €2.50 (children).

Hohe Wand Nature Park, Ortsstraße 33, Hohe Wand-Maiersdorf (10km west of Wiener Neustadt, +43 26 38 88 545. Located in the Gutenstein Alps, the northeastern most fringe of the Alps, this park encompasses 230m-high cliffs as well as several limestone caves. Highlights include the Skywalk Hohe Wand, the Alpine Museum (see listing below), and several caves. Popular recreational activities include rock climbing (with both via ferrata and on open terrain), hiking (trails of 1-6 hours), hang gliding, and paragliding. For accommodation there are a number of guesthouses (Gasthäuser) within the park, as well as restaurants and cafés. A brochure with map and listings is available for download (in German only). €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15), free (NÖ Card); on weekends there is toll charge of €2/auto for the Hohe Wand Straße.

• Alpine Museum, Ortstraße 33, +43 2638 88545. Easter-Oct T-Su 09:00-18:00, Nov-Easter Sa Su and holidays 09:00-18:00. Without park admission: €2; with park admission: €1.80 (adults), €1 (children 6-15).
• Unicorn Cave, +43 2633 42553, +43 664 2343467. Easter-Sep Su and holidays 09:00-17:00; other times by prior arrangement. This limestone show cave was discovered in 1927, and contains the remains of cave bears as well as stalagmites and stalagtites. €4 (adults), €2.50 (children).

Seebenstein Castle, Bergschloß 1, Seebenstein (15km south of Wiener Neustadt, +43 664 91 34 751. Tours only: Easter-Oct Sa Su and holidays 14:00, 15:00. The castle was first built in the 11th century; the current structures date from the 13-14th centuries and from the 15-17th centuries. The castle changed hands a number of times, and successfully withstood a Turkish siege in 1683. It houses a valuable art collection, which includes a 15th-century wooden carved Madonna by Tilman Riemenschneider. The castle is privately owned and can be visited only with a guided tour. €5 (adults), €4 (students), €2 (children 5-15).

Türkensturz Castle Ruins, Seebenstein (Naturpark Türkensturz-Seebenstein. A romantic 'artificial' ruined castle from the early 19th century. A footpath leads to the castle, which offers good views over the surrounding area. Free.