Discover Pillichsdorf: Cellar Lanes, History and Vineyards

Pillichsdorf combines viticulture, historic buildings and unusual insights into the past. Particularly characteristic are the Pillichsdorf cellar lanes with their numerous wine-press houses. These are joined by the Tower Museum in the old church tower, St. Martin’s Parish Church and the historically significant tumulus known as “Kalvarienberg”. Anyone planning a trip can combine cultural discoveries with walks through a gently rolling landscape and choose a holiday apartment or holiday house as a base for days of varying length.

Cellar lanes and viticulture shape the village

The Pillichsdorf cellar lanes consist of the Upper, Middle and Lower Cellar Lane. Together, they comprise around 245 wine-press houses and are among the largest and most impressive cellar-lane ensembles in Central Europe. This scale alone makes the village interesting for travellers who want to get to know regional architecture and wine traditions. A total of 60 hectares of vineyards are also planted in the municipality. They are cultivated by 65 wine-growing businesses, mostly as a secondary occupation.

In the north of Pillichsdorf, the vineyards feature a gently rolling landscape that invites visitors to go for walks. This makes it possible to vary the way you spend your stay: one day can be devoted to the village’s history and cellar lanes, and another to leisurely walks among the vineyards. Pillichsdorf has three wine taverns, which take turns opening at weekends. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth taking your preferred day of visit into account.

The Tower Museum and St. Martin’s Parish Church

The Pillichsdorf Tower Museum is located in the 500-year-old church tower of St. Martin’s Parish Church. More than 130 exhibits from geology, prehistory and early history, the Middle Ages and the modern era can be viewed there. Notable pieces include a reconstructed lunar idol—a fire dog—from the Early Iron Age, or Hallstatt period, around 650 BC, as well as a restored Baroque clockwork mechanism dating from 1762.

The parish church itself is also an important part of the village’s historic appearance. It is one of the oldest and largest churches in the region. Parts of its nave date from the Romanesque period, while the choir was built in the Gothic period. Those interested in sacred architecture and the development of historic buildings can view the church and Tower Museum as two different ways of accessing the village’s history. Guided tours of the Tower Museum are generally available by prior arrangement by telephone.

Kalvarienberg: History and unique natural features

The “Kalvarienberg” tumulus is a burial mound from the Hallstatt period around 650 BC that is still approximately 4 m high today. The urn of a presumably local prince and grave goods were buried inside it. The tumulus is protected as a historic monument by regulation in Lower Austria. In 1959, a monument was also erected there to commemorate the presence of Emperor Franz I.

Kalvarienberg is also notable for its plant life: feather grass, also known as “women’s hair”, occurs as a botanical speciality only here in the village and grows mainly on dry grassland. In this way, a natural detail complements the site’s historical significance, without limiting a visit to a single era. The Hager Mill, which dates back to the 14th century, is also part of the village’s history.

Other places for planning your trip

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Pillichsdorf, you can continue your search with Wolkersdorf Im Weinviertel, Eichenbrunn, Nodendorf, Großkrut, Diepolz, Röhrabrunn, Großharras and Eibesbrunn. Pillichsdorf is particularly appealing for its combination of cellar lanes, viticulture, church history and archaeological traces. Looking for accommodation is therefore especially suitable for travel plans that include cultural sightseeing, regional culinary experiences and walks.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mistelbach.