Vienna woods, Mayerling, Heiligenkreuz and Baden

The Vienna Woods is now a biosphere reserve and is 45 km long and 20km wide outside Vienna. The highest point is just under 900m. Several rivers flow through the woods and there is an observatory. It is the place to live in Vienna, with many smart or historic houses, including that of Schubert. Unfortunately, we didn't get a chance to walk on the woods.



Heiligenkreuz Abbey (Holy Cross)

Heiligenkreuz Abbey was founded in the 12th centrury (1133) as a Cistercian Monestry.

It is now a theological institute and the largest German speaking institution for teaching priests. There is limited access to the monestry.









Originally, the woods was a hunting ground for Royalty. In the 19th century, the crown prince, Rudolph, used Mayerling as a hunting lodge.

Three years after purchasing it, he and his mistress killed themselves there, but the reason is not known.

The Emporer turned the lodge into a convent and built a church. The statue of the Madonna in the church is unusual in that the face of the Madonna is that of Rudolph's mistress and that there is a dagger in the heart.




Then it was time to say goodby to our guide, Emmanuelle in Vienna and start the long trip home, running parallel to the Hungarian and Slovakian borders, but there were many more photos to be taken.



- Pat and John on tour