Discover Zurndorf: Culture, Nature and Cycling Routes

Zurndorf offers a journey through historic architecture, protected landscapes and active discoveries.

Historical Traces in Zurndorf

One of the defining buildings is the Roman Catholic parish church. It stands in the middle of the local cemetery, was built around 1270 during the Romanesque-Early Gothic period and is dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Its furnishings include a valuable high altar painting by F. G. Herzsch based on an engraving by Maulpertsch. It depicts the farewell of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul before their execution and was restored in 1964.

Smaller religious buildings also bear witness to different eras. The Michaelskapelle was built from 1727 to 1739 at the instigation of the parish priest Michael Franz Sämmer. The small rectangular building is located next to the rectory. In the cemetery, the medieval walls of today’s Protestant church recall the Reformation parish community in Zurndorf. A renovation with a tower and vaulted ceiling, carried out under Protestant preachers in the first half of the 17th century, fell victim to the fire of 1857.

The town’s history also includes industrial traces. The dynamite factory in Zurndorf was built in 1887 by a Mr Schickherr and produced Einser, Zweier and Dreier dynamite. In 1921, the factory was relocated to Csepel in Hungary. Another historical feature is the former mill at Mühlgasse 40, which was designated a protected historic monument in 2026. Friedrichshof is also home to the most extensive private collection of works by the Viennese Actionists from the 1960s and early 1970s.

Oak Forest, Hutweide and Birdwatching

Anyone wishing to include nature experiences in their trip can consider the Zurndorf Oak Forest and Hutweide European Protected Area. It is located in the vicinity of Zurndorf and comprises around 100 hectares of woodland as well as a Hutweide covering around 20 hectares. The oak forest is considered one of the best-preserved woodland areas on the Parndorfer Platte.

The Hutweide features different landscape forms: Silicate dry grassland grows on the hilltops and slopes, while semi-dry Trespen grassland occurs in the depressions. From the observation tower, cyclists on the neighbouring cycle path can observe great bustards as well as other endangered bird species such as imperial eagles and red-footed falcons without disturbing them. This makes it possible to combine a cycling tour with close observation of nature without reducing the landscape to a single experience.

Cycling and Water Experiences

For longer cycling tours, the 50-kilometre B29 “Windradweg” cycle path crosses the Parndorfer Platte. A particularly beautiful section runs between Gattendorf and Zurndorf along the Leitha. When planning a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether cycling should be the focus of your trip or whether you would like to combine the route with cultural sightseeing and nature observation.

There are also various opportunities on the water. The Leitha Auen Neusiedler See canoe club offers advanced paddlers professionally guided excursions on the Leitha with a guide. Beginners are taught paddling on the Leitha, in the bays and canals of Lake Neusiedl, and on the Danube. These different options appeal to travellers with varying levels of prior experience; specific dates and conditions should be checked directly before planning.

Which Holiday Apartment Suits Your Travel Plans?

If you are mainly interested in discovering historic places, the parish church, Michaelskapelle, the Protestant church and the history of the mill can form the focus of your trip. For nature-oriented days, the European Protected Area, the Hutweide and birdwatching offer suitable themed destinations. Cyclists will find a clearly designated route in the Windradweg, while the canoeing options provide an additional active perspective. This allows you to tailor your search for a holiday apartment in Zurndorf to the interests of your travel group without having to commit to a single holiday style.

Further Places for Your Travel Plans

If you would also like to compare other places, you can find further destinations here: Gols, Frauenkirchen, Winden Am See, Edelstal, Halbturn, Kittsee, Wallern Im Burgenland, Pamhagen.

For the higher-level travel overview: Neusiedl Am See.