Your Travel Experience with Avellera
Seegrotte & Heiligenkreuz Car Tour
This fascinating tour combines nature, history, and cultural exploration. It begins with a visit to the Seegrotte, an underground lake located in a former gypsum mine. During World War II, the mine was repurposed as a secret aircraft production site for the German Luftwaffe. Today, visitors can take a boat ride across the serene waters of the largest subterranean lake in Europe, an unforgettable experience. Next, we step back into the medieval period with a visit to Lichtenstein Castle, a fairy-tale fortress perched on a hill. Built in the 12th century, the castle has been carefully restored and is often associated with the noble House of Liechtenstein, whose name it carries. The castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and a glimpse into Austria’s medieval heritage. The tour then takes you to Mayerling Chapel, a place of historical and emotional significance. Mayerling was once a hunting lodge where the tragic Crown Prince Rudolf and his lover Baroness Mary Vetsera died in 1889, leading to one of Austria’s greatest royal scandals. The lodge has since been transformed into a chapel in their memory. From Mayerling, we head to the Stift Heiligenkreuz Monastery, a Cistercian abbey founded in 1133 and still active today. The monastery is renowned for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture and houses one of the largest surviving medieval cloisters in Europe. Visitors can admire the beautifully preserved buildings and listen to the monks’ Gregorian chants, which echo through the centuries. The final stop is the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald), a scenic forested region that has inspired poets, composers, and nature lovers for generations. Once a hunting ground for the Habsburg monarchy, the Vienna Woods now offer tranquil landscapes, rich biodiversity, and historical significance as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The journey concludes with a relaxing drive back to the hotel, leaving you with lasting memories of Austria’s natural beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage.