Attractions and Places To See around Sitzenberg-Reidling - Top 20

Why do I just not feel comfortable near nuclear power plants?

The St. Andrä Footbridge over the Traisen River was rebuilt in 2022 after the old wooden bridge had to be demolished due to flood damage and safety deficiencies. The new bridge is an elegant, approximately three-meter-wide single-span bridge without intermediate piers in the riverbed and now directly connects the districts of St. Andrä and Herzogenburg. The bridge is equally suitable for pedestrians and cyclists and forms an important section of the local cycle path network. The footbridge is particularly important for cyclists, as it offers direct access to the Traisen Valley Cycle Route and, subsequently, to the Danube Cycle Path. The crossing also provides a scenic connection to the Traisen-Danube Circular Tour, an approximately 18-kilometer route that leads through quiet towns such as Hameten and Sitzenberg to the Altenwörth power plant. The route is mostly flat, paved, and family-friendly. A rest area has been created at the northern end of the bridge, featuring a drinking fountain, seating, a bicycle service station, and a small pergola for relaxing. From here, there is an unobstructed view upstream into the natural floodplain landscape of the Traisen River, with its mature trees, meadows, and tranquil watercourse. The new bridge thus not only connects two banks but also creates an attractive place for local recreation, exercise, and enjoying nature—whether on foot or by bike.

A really beautiful cycle path along the Traisen

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The Zwentendorf nuclear power plant on the Danube, near Tulln in Lower Austria, was planned in the 1970s as Austria's first commercial nuclear power plant. Construction began in 1972 and was essentially completed in 1976. The plant was designed as a boiling water reactor with an electrical output of 730 MW and was considered modern and safe by the standards of the time. Despite its complete construction, the power plant was never put into operation. The decisive factor was the referendum on November 5, 1978, in which 50.47% of Austrians voted against its commissioning. The National Council subsequently passed a law prohibiting the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation in Austria. Thus, Zwentendorf remains the only completed but never commissioned nuclear power plant in the world. In the following decades, the plant was not dismantled but continued to be used. Since the 2000s, it has served as a training and education center for power plant and safety personnel, as a real reactor without radioactive radiation offers a unique training environment. Guided tours, technical training sessions, film shoots, and events also take place there. A photovoltaic system was later installed on the site, making it a symbol of the energy policy shift and Austria's decision against nuclear power.

The Traisen Bridge between St. Andrä an der Traisen and Herzogenburg is a more modern bicycle bridge that provides an important connection over the Traisen River. It allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross the river safely, without motorized traffic. The bridge is an important part of the infrastructure of the cycle path network in the region and offers a convenient way to connect the two places. For cyclists, the bridge also offers a beautiful view of the Traisen and the surrounding landscape.

The Traisen Valley Cycle Path runs from the Danube near Traismauer to Mariazell. The section between Traismauer and St. Pölten is just over 20 kilometers long and is considered a particularly family-friendly route, as it is largely flat and well-maintained. The route mostly runs directly along the Traisen River and through tranquil, scenic floodplain landscapes. Especially in the lower reaches, there are many renaturalized riverbanks that provide habitats for rare bird species, fish, and beavers. The route is also suitable for beginners and families.

The St. Georg Danube Bridge is accessible to cyclists and pedestrians via a separate pedestrian and cycle path. Cyclists have their own dedicated cycle path running alongside the bridge, ensuring a safe crossing of the Danube. Access to the bridge is via a specially constructed spiral ramp, which is convenient and safe to navigate. The bridge is a key junction on the Danube Cycle Path, which runs along the river. It connects the northern and southern routes. Cyclists and pedestrians enjoy magnificent views of the Danube and the surrounding landscape from the bridge. The original bridge opened in 1980, and the modernized version with improved infrastructure was completed in 2010. The St. Georg Bridge is a central component of the region's infrastructure and an important crossing point for cyclists exploring the Kamptal, Traisental, or Danube region.