What to do and see in Lower Austria, Austria: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

Melk Abbey is one of the biggest and most beautiful European Baroque Ensembles. Its splendid architectur ist famous worldwide an part of UNESCO´s World Cultural Heritage. Since 1089, Benedictine Monks have continually been living and working in Melk Abbey. Following the rules laid down by St. Benedict, they try to translate into action the words ORA et LABORA et LEGE (pray, work and read) by working in pastoral care, education as well as organizing numerous cultural Events. A visit to the abbey includes the abbey museum, the marble hall, the balcony, the library, the church, the abbey park with the baroque garden pavillion (open May-October)and the Bastion.April to September: Visits are possible daily with (10.55 a.m. and 2.55 p.m.)or without guided tourOctober to March: Visits are possible only with a guided tour. For individuals: 10.55 a.m. and 2.55 p.m. / tour for Groups may be reserved.Recommended time to spend at the abbey: 2,5 hoursADVISE for your visit: If possible, visit Melk Abbey around midday or in the afternoon, it´s not so crowed. Large monastery parking lot free of Charge.

One place. A thousand stories. In 1114, Klosterneuburg Abbey was founded by Margrave Leopold III. For over 900 years, history has been written here and stories have been told. It is those stories that we have collected over the centuries – they make our spirituality as well as the close connection of this house to Austrian history tangible. The story of the Verdun altar (1181) illustrates the history of the abbey’s spirituality as well as its closeness to the people. The altar, apart from its material splendour, served one purpose above all - to make the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Mass easier to understand, even for those who were unable to read and write. The laying of the foundation stone for the abbey church (1114) is a symbol for the abbey’s longevity and its responsibility to create. At this event, wine from its own winery was served. It is the oldest winery in Austria, which has been run by Klosterneuburg Abbey since the Middle Ages.

Kunsthalle Krems is the international exhibition center for modern and contemporary art in Lower Austria. Its program features art after 1945 with a special focus on contemporary artistic production. The Kunsthalle Krems is an institution that offers a large platform to positions of both established and emerging young artists from Austria and abroad, a platform to present innovative, cross-media, socially topical and art-specific contributions.

Experiencing, feeling and enjoying history and garden art – that’s what Schlosspark Laxenburg (Laxenburg Castle Park) stands for. Leisure experiences to suit your taste in breathtaking surroundings. This, and much more, awaits you in Austria’s largest landscaped gardens. Trace the footsteps of the Habsburg Dynasty while enjoying a yearly programme full of a wide variety of activities. Laxenburg Castle Park is among the most significant historical landscaped gardens in Europe. In addition to a multitude of monuments, pleasure buildings and picturesque garden areas, you can also discover the majestic crowning of the park: The “Little Treasure House of Austria” – the Franzensburg!

Castle Kuernriger (Schloß Kürnriger) is the main attraction of Durnstein (Dürnstein). It is the ruins of the castle in which Richard Leoncoeur, King of England was held prisoner for a year while returning from a Crusade. The ransom was used by the Duke of Babenberg to build the city walls of Vienna. This is a popular historical attraction especially for British people.

The cartoon museum Krems, the only Austrian museum for satirical art, is mainly devoted to political caricature, humorous drawings, comics and illustrations. The Caricature Museum Krems sees itself as a European centre of excellence for the art of drawing and picture literature and networks with international artists, museums and exhibition houses.

Roman City of Carnuntum From the 1st to the 4th century AD, Carnuntum was a significant Roman metropolis on the border of the Roman Empire. Carnuntum became the capital of the province of Pannonia Superior with about 50,000 inhabitants, making it one of the biggest cities in the northern Empire. Because of its militarily vital location for securing the border and its proximity to key trade routes Carnuntum blossomed. Our goal is to vividly present the history and basic scientific research associated with the Roman City of Carnuntum. Antiquity comes alive again in the Roman city quarter with its reconstructed ancient buildings as well as in the amphitheaters and Museum Carnuntinum, the city’s treasure chamber.