AUSTRIA

Drosendorf

Auf Deutsch

Host City of the 1996 W.T.F.C. Symposium

Drosendorf an der Thaya is situated on a hill with the River Thaya flowing by on three sides, 100 km north of Vienna at the Czech border. The city is first mentioned in documents dating from 1188.

Our little town's glorious past will strike you when you visit. The historic buildings on the main square, columns detailing religious and historic events, and of course our outstanding town wall, a mile long, still remind us of those days.

The walls, which were built in the 12th century, and with just two gates into the city. are a gem not just for historians but for tourists as well.

They are in good shape and are unique in Austria because they still encircle the old inhabited city. And, unlike other walled towns, you can walk around the city of Drosendorf on a promenade outside the walls just where the moat used to be in ancient times, with the great wall right beside you.

Here you can also have a look at the first international outdoor exhibition of coats of arms of European walled towns. In the other direction is a splendid view into the lovely valley of the River Thaya which meanders 200 feet below.

In the main square is the Church of St. Martin (with the shrine of Holy Valentina, who died in 317) and there are old residential houses with beautiful facades in various styles, each with its own distinctive appearance. The little park area in the middle of the square invites you to relax and have a look at the historic houses, the Plague Column opposite the Town Hall, and the highest stone pillory in Europe. Here in the Middle Ages 'drunkards and loose women' were bound. But don't worry - those times are gone....

Traffic is no problem in the whole "Waldviertel" as this region north of Vienna is known. Beyond the walls you may want to enjoy our modern recreation centre: an outdoor swimming pool, a youth hostel, a football ground, tennis courts, a camp ground and a Kneipp-bath or a refreshing swim in the River Thaya.

We have also excellent hiking facilities in Drosendorf and in the surrounding woods. Golf and riding are available nearby. And you can spend your vacation in Drosendorf Castle if you wish! Our little city also has fine restaurants offering excellent food and wines, and some farms in the surrounding villages offer bed and breakfast.

Other walled towns nearby are Eggenburg, Horn, Waidhofen an der Thaya and Weitra and the city of Policka in the Czech Republic.

From Drosendorf you may cross the border between Austria and the Czech Republic. The frontier crossing is open for all persons who are not required to hold a visa every day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Nearby you can also find the Thayatal National Park, which is operated by both countries.

Further information and leaflets are obtainable from our tourist office:
Drosendorf Aktiv, A 2095 Drosendorf, Schlossplatz 1
Tel. 0043-2915/2321, Fax 0043-2915-232140

or contact our town hall:
Gemeindeamt, A 2095 Drosendorf, Hauptplatz 1
Tel. 0043-29 15-2213, Fax 0043-2915-2213-35

Franz Tades. e.mail.   franz.tades@telering.at

You can also send an email, or look at our other websites at
http://www.drosendorf.at and  info@drosendorf.at

                                      Austrian Link of Walled Towns

Drosendorf I Eggenburg I Friesach I Horn I Radstadt I Waidhofen an der Thaya I Weitra

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