Viehofen: Lakes, Nature and Castle

Viehofen brings together natural recreation and architectural history. Key landmarks include the Viehofner Lakes, the twelve-metre-high observation tower, Viehofen Castle and the Gothic Chapel of St. James. Visitors can pursue a range of interests, including birdlife and relaxation, water activities and historic buildings. If you are planning an overnight stay in Viehofen, you can decide in advance which of these themes you would like to shape your visit. The following details will help you get a sense of the different topics and places to visit.

Lakes and natural surroundings

The Viehofner Lakes cover 53 hectares and offer a place to relax right in the city. They are also an important bird-breeding area in central Lower Austria. Recreational use and the lakes’ importance for birdlife come together in this natural setting, but appeal to different interests. The district of Viehofen provides an important local recreation area for the entire city. Its western boundary is formed by the Traisen River and the landscape around Viehofner Lake. The lakes offer a place to relax and are an important bird-breeding area in central Lower Austria; the district serves as a local recreation area for the entire city.

Views and activities on the water

A twelve-metre-high observation tower by the Viehofner Lakes offers panoramic views of the St. Pölten lake experience. At Seedose, visitors can rent four pedal boats, two rowboats, two Canadian canoes, picnic boats and stand-up paddleboards. The tower and rental options offer different experiences: the tower provides panoramic views, while the rentals offer a range of activities on the water. You can decide whether you would rather focus on a viewpoint or an activity on the water. If you have a particular type of boat in mind, check its availability before your trip.

Viehofen Castle and the Chapel of St. James

Viehofen Castle was first mentioned in 1130. Next to the castle stands a Gothic chapel dedicated to St. James; it was first mentioned in 1248. The first mentions are 118 years apart and refer to two different buildings. The chapel is therefore a historic landmark in its own right, alongside the castle. Viehofen Castle was first opened to the public in 2021. The dates have different meanings: 1130 and 1248 mark the first mentions, while 2021 marks the first time the castle was opened to the public. A guided tour of the castle takes place on one Saturday each month at 2 p.m. Check the date before you arrive if you would like to plan your visit around the tour. For planning purposes, the details to check differ: for the tour, it is the date; for boat rental, it is the availability of the type you want. The first mentions are not necessarily the years the buildings were constructed; they indicate when the castle and chapel were first recorded.

Discover more destinations: Statzendorf, Stollberg, Warth, Inzersdorf Ob Der Traisen, Unterdambach, Stössing, Gemeinde Markersdorf-Haindorf, Oberhofen

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