The best gravel rides around Gföhl

Gars am Kamp is first mentioned in documents as a market town in 1279, and the market rights were confirmed in 1403. Gars Castle was expanded by the Kuenringers; later lords of the castle included the Maissauers and the Counts of Lamberg. The large Renaissance castle built in the 16th century fell into ruin in the 19th century due to the burden of the roof tax.

A historic castle next to a futuristic open-air stage in a landscape park, a 19th-century riding school next to a modern concert hall and much more await you in Grafenegg. The slender courtyard-facing turret of Schloss Grafenegg represents the late Gothic construction phase. The Renaissance era also lastingly shaped the development of the castle, which in the first half of the 17th century already presented a four-wing complex with two towering structures. A moat and four wall houses provided impressive protection. A chapel was erected on the east side. Grafenegg thus acquired the form that is still partially preserved today. The garden pavilion, where festivities were celebrated and theatre was performed, is reminiscent of the Baroque period. Following the example of English castles, a complex in the style of romantic historicism was to be erected. This is how Schloss Grafenegg, as we know it today as a landmark, came into being.

Beautiful view of the unfortunately very unknown castle Kronsegg.

The well-known Trinity Column (Pestsäule) in Langenlois stands as a striking centerpiece on the Kornplatz. It was erected in 1713 by the citizenry as thanks for being spared from the plague and consecrated on October 14th of the same year. The baroque monument was created by the renowned Krems sculptor Andreas Krimmer.

A beautiful view of the Kamp, the Kamptal-Thaya cycle path leads over it.

Answers to garden questions For those who want to know more, a garden tour is highly recommended. During the tour, you wander through the garden's extensive variety of species, listen to stories about almost forgotten cultivated plants, and learn valuable information about their cultivation and use. You will receive answers to personal gardening questions and learn the latest about ARCHE NOAH's seed policy. And because ARCHE NOAH is dedicated to preserving endangered vegetable, fruit, and grain varieties, seed propagation is also a topic: How to obtain seeds for propagation and what treasure the 5,500 cultivated plant varieties resting in the ARCHE NOAH seed archive represent – you will find out on the garden tour!

NOAH'S ARK Show Garden A walk through paradise for valuable cultivated plants. Old, valuable, and almost extinct cultivated plants are combined in the ARCHE NOAH Show Garden in Schiltern to create a unique garden experience. Delicious, robust, and endangered vegetable and fruit varieties remain alive this way. The baroque pavilion as a focal point in the Schlosspark of Schiltern Castle provides the dignified setting. In this historic ambience, the ARCHE NOAH Show Garden offers a colourful treasure trove of rare vegetables, herbs, cereals, fruits, and berries. Visitors stroll past colourful theme beds with changing cultivated plants, see carrots in all colours and shapes, and delight in aromatic cocktail tomatoes, Krachsalat, and mustard greens. In the ARCHE NOAH Show Garden's scattered fruit tree meadow, you can discover tasty fruit varieties with unusual names such as 'Himbeerapfel von Holovous' or 'Ananasmarille'.

From the farmstead to the castle Who would have thought that a small farmstead would become a "castle of the future"? The farmstead, founded in the 10th century by the lords of Schiltarn, is primarily used by various lords of Kronsegg Castle. It was not until the 16th century that the medieval structure was expanded into a castle and a new seat of power. After a varied succession of owners, Count Aichelberg-Ruhmerskirch sold the castle in 1929 to the municipality of Langenlois. Just one year later, it was acquired by the Order of the English Maidens, who have since operated various educational institutions for children here. This teaching activity was interrupted during World War II – the castle came into the possession of the SA. In 1987, Psychosoziale Zentrum Schiltern GmbH had the building complex renovated with the help of the state of Lower Austria and has since offered the ideal environment for psychotherapeutic rehabilitation on site.