Prigglitz: Art, History and Landscape

Prigglitz lies high above the Schwarzatal valley, on a sunny terrace above the sea of fog. Art at Gut Gasteil, archaeological traces in Prigglitz-Gasteil and named routes give the place a variety of cultural and landscape points of interest. If you are looking for accommodation in Prigglitz, these themes can help you decide what brings you there: are you most interested in art and history, trails or a particular food offering?

Art at Gut Gasteil

On the 16-hectare meadows around Gut Gasteil, the sculptor couple Seidl exhibits works by international artists. Galerie Gut Gasteil presents four exhibitions of contemporary art each year. Separate from these is the “Art in the Landscape” exhibition series: organised every two years, it features changing installations in the open-air grounds. The two formats therefore differ both in frequency and in presentation. If you want to plan your trip around a particular exhibition, check the dates in advance.

Archaeology and mining history

Around 3,000 years ago, copper was mined and processed in Prigglitz-Gasteil. Prigglitz is home to Lower Austria’s best-researched prehistoric mining site. Above ground, spoil heaps and terrain terraces up to 15 metres wide are still visible from the Late Bronze Age mining settlement in Prigglitz-Gasteil. This brings together an approximate date and clearly identified traces in the landscape. The area’s historical significance can be explored through both its mining history and the visible landforms.

Routes, views and a hiking destination

The WAB Regional Route K reaches Prigglitz via forest paths that cross the Silbersberg. Shortly before Prigglitz, the route offers a view across the cultural landscape from Prigglitz to the Rax. The forest section and the view just before the village are distinct landmarks along this route.

The Kapellenrunde is a mountain bike tour starting at the primary school in Prigglitz; Maagraben Cave lies along the route. Another destination is the Pottschacher Hütte: located at an altitude of 914 metres, it can be reached from Prigglitz on foot in about an hour. These descriptions distinguish two ways of getting around: the Kapellenrunde, described as a mountain bike tour, and the walk to the hut, with an approximate travel time.

Church, chapel and local offerings

In the centre of Prigglitz, the three-aisled Church of St Nicholas stands on a churchyard plateau that slopes gently to the southeast. “Three-aisled” describes the division of the church interior into three aisles. The Patricius Chapel in Gasteil is a Baroque wayside chapel. These are two distinct buildings: the church in the village centre and the chapel in Gasteil.

At the “Päuschen Häuschen” in Prigglitz, you can get breakfast boxes, pulled pork burgers and homemade cakes. The offering combines breakfast with a savoury dish and cakes. “Prigglitz prickelt” is a concert walk, with music performed at various locations. As a concert walk, it differs from the exhibitions at Gut Gasteil: here, the focus is on music in changing locations.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tratten, Otterthal, Sankt Corona Am Wechsel, Neuwald, Zöbern, Mönichkirchen, Payerbach, Klamm.

Back to the main travel overview: Neunkirchen.