The best hikes from bus stations in Föhrenberge Nature Park

Artificial ruin in the pine forest of the Kalenderberg on the rocky slope towards the Mödling «Klausen». Built in 1809 by Prince Johann I. von und zu Liechtenstein on the foundation of an old «Wachthäusel» (guardhouse).

In the 12th century, a Romanesque church stood on the site of the present-day parish church. To the south, on the present-day church square, there was a cemetery.

The Köhlerhaus ruin (571 m) from the 19th century, like the Diana Temple, is one of the artificial garden features in the Sparbach Nature Park. The brick tower can be climbed via an external staircase, offering excellent panoramic views to the Schneeberg and the Wechsel region.

The Köhlerhaus ruin (571 m) from the 19th century, like the Diana Temple, is one of the artificial garden ornaments in the Sparbach Nature Park. The brick tower can be climbed via an external staircase, offering an excellent panoramic view stretching to the Schneeberg and the Wechsel region.

The ruins of Johannstein Castle are located near Sparbach in Lower Austria (Austria), about eight kilometers west of Mödling at an altitude of approximately 450 meters above sea level. It is not certain when the hilltop castle was built. It only received its name as a ruin. Since 1809, its ruins and the Sparbach Wildlife Park have belonged to the Liechtenstein family. Between 1995 and 2000, a fundamental securing and restoration of the remaining masonry was carried out.

Construction of the Othmarkirche began on May 13, 1454, under pastor Johannes Hinderbach. An inscription above the main entrance commemorates this. Before that, six predecessor churches had already stood on the site of today's Othmarkirche. The oldest proven predecessor church was a Carolingian church in the form of a small choir square church from the 9th century.

A sunny meadow in the middle of the forest – perfect for stepping out of the shade for a moment and enjoying the warmth. Here you can sit in the grass, let your gaze wander over the surroundings, and observe birds and insects. Ideal as a short break during hikes, runs, or bike rides.

One can approach a church as a person interested in history, as a tourist interested in art history, or as a believer. One will see a variety of things. Those interested in history will be impressed by the fact that churches have stood on this site, on the slope of the Kalenderberg (= bare land), for more than 1,000 years, and that the current building is the seventh church in an unbroken succession on this site. They will think of the destruction of the Romanesque church by the Hungarians in 1252 and the horrors of the Turkish Wars of 1529 and 1683. Tourists interested in art and art history will see the late Gothic hall church built between 1454 and 1523, the Baroque furnishings, the Neo-Gothic windows and Stations of the Cross paintings, and the examples of contemporary art in the chancel. To the believer, the Othmarkiche appears like a ship anchored halfway between plain and height to welcome people. Twelve pillars – the twelve apostles – support its vault. The floor is level. This church is not a castle – defiant, dark, and forbidding. Its bow extends into the distance. Like Noah's Ark, it offers refuge and security. It stands on this earth. It still has walls. But its higher regions are translucent, are light. The splendor of heaven can be glimpsed. Two of the windows are of particular significance: the window in the east as the window of creation and resurrection, and the window in the west as the window of sunset, the Last Judgment. The world stands between the resurrection of Jesus and his return. Every visit to church, every service, becomes a call for the congregation to treat God's creation and creatures in such a way that one need not fear his judgment. Taken from https://www.moedling.or.at/kirchen/st_othmar/st_othmar.html