The mostviertel
Mostviertel means “perry district.” Gently rolling hills in the north—where the pears flourish. Mountainous in the south—once iron country. This diversity makes for fascinating contrasts.
The Mostviertel extends north to south from the Danube to the Alps and east to west from the Ybbs to the Enns. This paradise for country holidays offers so many possibilities for excursions, mountain adventures and enjoyable family vacations, in landscapes ranging from mild to wild.
From pears to iron
The Mostviertel seems to float on clouds in the final weeks of April. That is when the pear trees blossom on the old meadows sprinkled with vast numbers of fruit trees. The Mostviertel is actually named after “most”, the fermented cider made from these pears (“perry”). A unique culture of enjoyment surrounds this beverage and is manifested not just in down-to-earth culinary delicacies but also in tourism: There are most heuriger taverns, most barons, the Most Pear House, a most cycling route plus proud quadrangular farmsteads where visitors can book holidays on the farm with pears ensuring the fruitiest of holiday experiences. The further south one goes, the more rugged the Mostviertel becomes, but this countryside has its own charm. Bizarre rock formations, deep gorges and bubbling waters characterize the alpine wilderness found around Ötscher, Hochkar and Dürrenstein. It was home to the “Black Counts”, as the powerful hammer lords, blacksmiths, charcoal makers and woodcutters were once known.
Cultural exploration
Museums and theme trails along the Mostviertel Iron Road combine to create a colorful mosaic of those earlier days when the region was the heart of the ironworking industry. Along with iron and most, the Mostviertel has a number of other highlights to offer: alpine landscapes, for example, that are inviting places to hike and explore, both summer and winter; magnificent monasteries that bring joy to the heart of any culture lover; one of Europe’s oldest wine areas, the Traisen Valley, whose fresh, fruity wines are still a tip for insiders; and finally, St. Pölten a provincial capital where Baroque, Jugendstil and Modernism all join in wonderful harmony.