The best hikes from bus stations around Groß-Siegharts

Information from the W.E.B. information board on site: Wind is measured here! This is where W.E.B. collects valuable data for the Predigtstuhl and Hardwald wind farm projects: Topographically, hilltops, hills, and mountains are particularly suitable for meaningful measurements. The Predigtstuhl (718 m), as the highest elevation in the Waidhofen an der Thaya district, is one of the most suitable locations due to its good accessibility. A project c The measurement mast... • is 140 m high. • is guyed in three directions at approximately 85 m. • is erected by industrial climbers. • measures wind speed and direction throughout the year. • collects data on bat activity over the forest using so-called BatCorders. • is marked with airborne warning spheres and bird warning bands to minimize the risk of collision with birds. • is necessary for the proper planning and approval of wind power projects. • Will remain in place for 1 to a maximum of 2 years. • Requires no on-site concreting due to multiple 2x2m prefabricated foundations. • Will be dismantled without leaving any residue after the measurement campaign. After its service life of 1 to a maximum of 2 years, the met mast will be dismantled, transported away, and the affected areas reforested with site-specific, climate-adapted tree species.

At the time of the creation of "Sigharz" around 1100, this place belonged to the old parish of Raabs an der Thaya - as early as 1080, the Bishop of Passau, Altmann, had personally established its parish rights with the consecration of the church of "Assumption of Mary on the Mountain". Around 1300, when Siegharts had already become a sizeable village with over 20 houses, the "Baptismal Church of St. John" was built here under Weichhart von Siegharts and his brother-in-law, Pastor Weigand von Raabs. This church survived all political unrest in the Middle Ages and early modern times, was even spared during the Thirty Years' War, and existed until the time of the lord Count Johannes Christoph Ferdinand von Mallenthein. He had the 400-year-old church demolished in 1720 and the "St. John's Church" was built in its place between 1723 and 1727, which was elevated to a parish church in 1783. The building plans for the church were drawn up by Donato Felice d’Allio, who also drew up the plans for the Klosterneuburg monastery. In 1727, Count Mallenthein became impoverished, partly due to excessive debt and partly due to difficulties in selling the textiles he produced. The construction of the church was therefore halted. Other ruling families also stopped building the church, so the lavish plans of the time could not be fully implemented. It was only after the war, in 1950, that the baroque furnishings could be added due to the growing prosperity.

An inconspicuous rock formation that houses the "Dragon's Cave".

One of the few rock formations in front of the preaching chair

Nice rest area on the Thayatalrunde

... currently without picture

The name is taken from the book "Der Predigtstuhl - The mystical guardian of the Waldviertel" by Gabriele Wanko.

In the book "The Predigtstuhl - The Mystical Guardian of the Waldviertel" by Gabriele Wanko, the cave is mentioned as the "Dragon Cave".