Zwettl
“Autumn is harvest time and then we can enjoy a marvellous display of colours in the fields and forest. At this time I like to relax with mushroom picking until the first frost after which everything quietens and hibernates,” says Johannes Gutmann.
The charming walled town of Zwettl in the Lower Austrian Waldviertel (forest district) is peaceful and tranquil in autumn as well as winter. In the cooler months the surrounding forests put on a stunning display of colours or glisten with snow - perfect for long walks and hikes. Visitors keen to experience nature can explore the Kamp reservoirs which are ideal for walks along the lake banks even in the colder months. Culture lovers should visit Zwettl Abbey which, with its peaceful atmosphere and historic architecture, has a very special appeal particularly in the winter. Zwettl’s old town with its narrow lanes and centuries-old buildings is also particularly idyllic at this time of the year. New and yet typical of the Waldviertel (forest district) are the Zwettl town lofts as businessman Johannes Gutmann knows: “Here in an old building which was ready to be demolished we have created five wonderful holiday flats in which we tell Zwettl’s history and that of the Waldviertel.”
5 questions for Johannes Gutmann
Johannes Gutmann founded the company "Sonnentor" in 1988. The organic pioneer who markets the herb specialities of the Waldviertel’s farmers worldwide is a profound expert and passionate ambassador of the area around Zwettl.
| What is your favourite place? | The forest: it offers relaxation, security and tranquillity. In the forest you can see, experience and feel the mushrooms, mosses and lichens here. Mushroom picking has been one of my great passions since I was a child! |
| What do people not know about your town? | Zwettl is a place where you can meet nice people, where trust and quality of life can really be felt and where you feel well looked after and that all your needs are being met - here there is space to feel at ease, become involved and develop. |
| When does the town look most appealing? | Autumn is harvest time and then we can enjoy a marvellous display of colours in the fields and forest. I like to relax by picking berries and looking for mushrooms until the first frost after which everything quietens and hibernates. The winter is perfect for walks and outdoor activity such as cross-country skiing. |
| What would you recommend visitors do in bad weather? | Where we go on excursions: the SONNENTOR Erlebnis in Sprögnitz. Our business is open all year and we show what we do with our tea and spice production. |
| What should visitors not miss in the local region? | In our local area you can sample the typical foods such as herbs, potatoes, poppy seed and carp in the restaurants. Or you can visit Zwettl Abbey or the region’s many forts and get to know the history of the Waldviertel. We enjoy a very direct connection to nature here, you can walk along the Zwettl or around the reservoirs where you only hear the sound of the water and nothing else! |
Golden Advent in Zwettl
The Zwettler Goldene Advent attracts many visitors to the town of Zwettl in the run up to Christmas. The Advent market is held on the historic main square and surrounding lanes where many stands offer local arts and crafts, Christmas decorations and culinary specialities of the Waldviertel. You can also buy Christmas flowers and plants from the Czech Republic, sheep’s woollen goods from Slovenia and the famous Stollen cake & plaited buns from the Erz Mountains. For delicious snacks and warming drinks go to the punch and chestnut stands where you can sample traditional baked wraps, grilled fish, filled jacket potatoes, the famous Waldviertel noodles with melted butter and poppy seeds and game specialities from the surrounding forests. Advent highlights include performances by choirs and wind ensembles for example the “Blech Brass Brothers”. The Zwettl Golden Advent also offers daily horse-drawn carriage rides and a Christmas workshop: this is how to get in the mood for Christmas in the Waldviertel!
In nature’s footsteps around Zwettl
The autumn and winter months in Zwettl and the surrounding area offer nature lovers many opportunities. The town lies in the heart of a varied landscape of forests, hills and streams which are ideal for hiking in autumn and winter: The hiking paths are well maintained and secure. A popular destination is the Naturpark Blockheide which is only a few kilometres away from Zwettl. There are many well signposted hiking and themed paths which are dedicated to the region’s typical flora and fauna. In the autumn, in particular, when the leaves display wonderful colours, the Naturpark reveals a very special appeal. It is also possible to walk around the three big reservoirs, Ottensteiner-, Thurnberger- and Dobra-Stausee.
Culinary journey through Zwettl
There are many culinary excursion possibilities in and around Zwettl which are interesting for foodies as well as keen explorers. The Sonnentor Erlebnis in Sprögnitz offers an insight into the world of herbs and spices. Here visitors can go on tours of the production workshops and see the great diversity of organic herb products. In the SONNENTOR Café you can enjoy tea samplings and regional dishes made using fresh regional ingredients. A highlight is the Zwettl Brewing Experience where guests can get to know regional beer culture in guided tours and sample fresh beers. In the Mohnhof Gressl visitors can immerse themselves in the world of the Waldviertler Graumohns g.U. and learn all about the cultivation and processing of the region’s grey poppy seed. The farm also sells home-made poppy seed products. In Rapottenstein, the Rogner distillery has dedicated itself to the old Waldviertel tradition of schnapps distilling, but in some cases breaks new ground with its products: taste vodka and whisky, rum or Waldviertel sloe gin on site. Cheese lovers shouldn’t miss the Käsemacherwelt in Heidenreichstein where they can learn about cheese production and sample various varieties. If anyone would now like to try some of these delicious products we recommend two restaurants in Zwettl which are specialised in the use of typical Waldviertel produce: The Gasthaus zur Goldenen Rose on the Dreifaltigkeitsplatz serves classics such as roast pork with potato dumplings with bacon and slaw salad and baked carp in poppy seed crumb as well as vegetarian dishes. Family-managed organic bakers Hölzl, diagonally opposite, offers a tempting array of home-made baked goods such as ancient grain, potato and wheat and walnut breads, rustic rye rolls and Waldviertel bread, spelt and poppy seed flatbread, cream puffs and small spiced chocolate biscuits – all made solely out of high quality, regional, organic ingredients.
