Zurndorf: Churches, Industrial History and Nature

Zurndorf offers a range of historical and natural attractions: sacred architecture and art, the history of the dynamite factory, and a nearby protected area. If you are looking for hotels in Zurndorf, these highlights can help you choose a destination to suit your interests. The historical facts span different periods, while the landscape is defined by its areas, habitats and named cycling routes.

Churches, Artworks and Religious History

The Roman Catholic parish church stands in the middle of the local cemetery. Built around 1270 in the Romanesque-Gothic period, it is dedicated to the holy princes of the apostles, Peter and Paul. Its valuable high altar painting by F. G. Herzsch, based on an etching by Maulpertsch, depicts the farewell of the two princes of the apostles before their execution; the painting was restored in 1964. The construction date and the restoration mark different points in time: around 1270 refers to the church’s construction, while 1964 refers to the restoration of the painting.

A Crucifixion fresco in the parish church depicts Mary and John. Based on its subject and depiction, it is thought to date from 1610 to 1673, when the church was in Protestant hands. This remains a probable attribution and should be distinguished from the approximate construction date of the parish church.

St Michael’s Chapel has its own history, too: Parish priest Michael Franz Sämmer arranged for it to be built between 1727 and 1739. The small rectangular building is next to the rectory. The medieval walls of today’s Protestant church in the cemetery are a reminder of Zurndorf’s Reformed parish community. A renovation under Protestant preachers in the first half of the 17th century, which added a tower and vaulted ceiling, was destroyed in the fire of 1857.

Another historic building is the former mill at Mühlgasse 40. As of 2026, it is listed as a protected monument.

The Dynamite Factory: Production and Relocation

The dynamite factory in Zurndorf was established in 1887 by a Mr Schickherr. It produced three grades of dynamite: No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. In 1921, the factory was relocated to Csepel in Hungary. The factory’s history thus includes both the named product grades and a clearly documented later change of location. The building is privately owned.

Protected Area and Landscape

The Zurndorfer Eichenwald and Hutweide European protected area lies close to Zurndorf. It covers around 100 hectares of wooded land and around 20 hectares of pasture. The comparison shows two distinct parts of the area: the wooded land is larger, while the pasture occupies a separate, smaller area. The oak forest is considered one of the best-preserved woodland stands on the Parndorfer Platte.

Habitats within the pasture also vary depending on the terrain. Siliceous dry grassland grows on hilltops and slopes, while Bromus semi-dry grassland is found in the hollows. Both the extent of the areas and the different terrain features help characterize the protected area.

Cycling Route and Birdwatching

From the observation tower, cyclists on the nearby route can watch great bustards and other endangered bird species, such as imperial eagles and red-footed falcons, without disturbing them. The description thus combines a specific birdwatching opportunity with the aim of not disturbing the birds.

The 50-kilometre B29 “Windradweg” cycling route crosses the Parndorfer Platte. A route description published in 2020 highlights a particularly scenic section between Gattendorf and Zurndorf along the Leitha. The total distance refers to the Windradweg, while the section between the two towns is only part of the route. Check the current route markings before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Andau, Sankt Andrä Am Zicksee, Parndorf, Bruckneudorf, Mönchhof, Apetlon, Halbturn, Podersdorf Am See.

For the main travel overview: Neusiedl Am See.