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Wachau World Heritage Region
SPITZER GRABEN VALLEY The Danube once flowed through the Spitzer Graben. This gentle valley along the Spitzer Bach (Spitz stream) is thus the largest side valley in the Wachau. The Wachau's steepest vineyard terraces are to be found in Gut am Steg, Viessling and Elsarn. At the top end of the valley lies Mühldorf, set amid a thriving landscape of meadows and orchards. It is hard to believe that graphite was once mined at the edge of this locality. Natural spectacles, such as the apricot blossom, can today be admired there and many award-winning Grüne Veltliner, Rieslinge and Neuburger wines sampled. Tip: It is worthwhile filling a picnic bag with Wachau specialities and wines and taking a break at one of the many beautiful spots.
RIVERSIDE CHURCHES
PLEASURE TIP MARILLENKIRTAG At the traditional Spitz »Marillenkirtag«, homage has been paid to the Wachau apricot every summer for more than 50 years. Visitors' palates are tantalised every July with delicious apricot dumplings, fruity apricot punch and the finest apricot brandies. Among the programme's highlights is the traditional procession of King Marillus and Princess Aprikosia, which passes through the locality and culminates in the awarding of the Golden Apricot. The festival is brought to a close with folk dancing and songs. www.spitz-wachau.com
Art historians are still arguing about the »kink«. Indeed Austria only has eight examples of such an axial kink in the nave of a church, and the one in Spitz Parish Church is the most skewed. Dating back to the 14th century, the tower and sacristy are the oldest structural components. The richly decorated nave took a full two hundred years to build. Tip: Look out for the famous »Christ and the twelve apostles« group of sculptured figurines, dating back to the Gothic period. Also preserved is the Gothic style of the chapel in Schwallenbach, built in 1420. It was only after the Thirty Years War broke out in Schwallenbach that the church tower went up in flames. Subsequently, the pragmatic citizens of the Wachau gave the new tower a »stone helmet« – as a form of fire protection. Tip: The altarpiece of St. Sigismund was created by the famous »Kremser Schmidt«. The key can be obtained from Walter Bergkirchner, opposite the church. Here too, the nocturnal illumination has been designed by Siegrun Appelt.
FERRIES IN THE WACHAU The car ferry in Spitz-Arnsdorf connects both banks of the Danube. If the natural backdrop is not enough, a change of perspective can be gained with a visit to the art installation by Olafur Eliasson in the ferry cabin: a camera obscura that, like the cable ferry itself, works on the river current without any electrical current. Since 2012, the River Navigation Museum in Spitz provides information about ferries, their history and their importance for the Wachau and its people.
A STRANGE TALE THE WHITE LADY OF HINTERHAUS FORTRESS Over 600 years ago, Hinterhaus Fortress was ruled by Heinrich »der Eiserne« (the iron one) of Kuenring. He was as unfaithful to his wife, Adelheid, as he was faithful to serving his king. The former died after a brief marriage and, two months later, Heinrich married for a second time – despite the fact that it was customary to wait a whole year in those times. When Heinrich then also died
suddenly, it was seen as God's punishment for his deed. Ever since, a lady in snow-white clothing appears at the window of the fortress ruins every year on the night of Heinrich's death. According
to legend, this is the ghost of Adelheid, who is unable to find peace because of her husband's unfaithfulness and who constantly wails: »Nit ein Jahr!« (Not even a year!)