Die Wachau - more fun sightseeing in Niederösterreich

There are lots of really great places to go explore in Niederösterreich. Even though tourist season is winding down for the year (and most tourists have packed up and gone home), it's the perfect time of year to check out the traditional tourist traps. The days are shorter and crisper, but the little cobblestone streets are less crowded - thus, normally impassibly narrow gangways are (gasp!) usable - and the wine shops, chocolate shops, and so forth want to get rid of their stock before they close for the winter, so you can get certain things at a reduced rate. Much like an end-of-season sale! Which, as anyone who really knows me can tell you, I absolutely adore. I think 90% of my shopping is done at end-of-season sales. 

These photos were taken in Aggstein, an AWESOME medieval castle next to the Danube. My Betreuungslehrer for the HAK, Elfriede, took me :) 


The castle is in ruins, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but in its heyday, back in the 12th century, it was a hideout for pirates and thieves. 


The castle is built right into the stone cliffs next to the Danube, and the pirates used to sit in the castle and wait for ships to come by carrying freight...and then they'd pounce! And bring all their booty back to the castle! 

me in front of castle

view from back of castle

actual sandstone cliff face in coutyard

Today, they still have falconers come and practice on the grounds, as well as knighting/jousting tournaments (don't know if the SCA has any affiliation...) and a tavern, where you can have parties. There is also a chapel, and a fair number of people hold their wedding at Aggstein! Sort of cool. As long as you don't go overboard on the theme wedding idea...

firepalce/oven

view from window
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window in "kitchen"

 In the lower left-hand corner, you can see the Danube. Pretty easy to imagine ship-watching from the top of the tower, eh?

Again, the Danube -->

....and then from the other side :)

beautiful fall foliage

OK, this is probably more pictures of Aggstein than you ever wanted to see in your life, but...here are more! 

I have NO idea why, but I am totally obsessed with ruins. I think it has something to do with the idea of civilizations that have come and gone. And the idea of comparing them to our own (which, if you want my opinion, could use a little hint or two...) It's all sort of mystical, isn't it?

Another look at the Danube -->

view from top

After Aggstein, we went to Dürnstein, which, among other things, is noted for being the stage for the story of Sänger Blondel. I shall relate....


The story of Sänger Blondel is a legend from the middle ages. In 1192, Richard the Lionheart was making his way back from the Crusades and decided to meet up with King Leopold near Vienna (i.e. Dürnstein) for a beer...or whatever. Well, no one told Blondel, his trusty minstrel and loyal servant a) that the war was over, or b) that Richard was still alive. So, poor Blondel went from castle to castle looking for insensitive Richard, running to the top of each tower and singing, "O Richard! O, mien König!" at the top of his lungs. They finally met up in Dürnstein.


There is also a new musical by Tim Rice called Blondel about the saga...which may or may not be the next Jesus Christ: Superstar.

very Baroque...don't fix it,though

There is also a church/monastery in Dürnstein. Here is the courtyard  -->




It was closed for the evening when we tried to get in :(

courtyard of Stift

And last but not least, a final look at the Danube!