Danube Cycle Route Stage 7 South Bank: Klosterneuburg - Petronell

<p>For a guided tour through the <strong>Klosterneuburg Abbey</strong>, founded in the 12th century, you should allow some time. At least to take a look into the abbey's treasure chamber or the <strong>four-story cellar complex</strong> of Austria's oldest winery. The <strong>Klosterneuburg Opera</strong> is also worth a visit. From the abbey, it is only a stone's throw to <strong>Vienna</strong>.</p><p>If you don't want to bypass the Danube metropolis over the Nordbrücke, you will soon reach the so-called "Danube Canal" on the south bank, which takes you directly into the <strong>Old Town</strong>. After freshening up at the cyclist hotel of your choice (see also www.wien.info), nothing stands in the way of an extensive city tour.</p><p>Attractions include <strong>Schönbrunn</strong> with its palace, zoo, palace park, and Gloriette, the Vienna Old Town with <strong>St. Stephen's Cathedral</strong>, the <strong>Hofburg</strong> (imperial apartments, Sisi Museum, treasure chamber, Spanish Riding School), the <strong>Art History Museum</strong>, the graphic collection <strong>Albertina</strong>, and the <strong>MuseumsQuartier</strong>. Also awaiting you are <strong>Belvedere Palace</strong>, the <strong>Prater</strong> with the <strong>Giant Ferris Wheel</strong>, <strong>Art Nouveau</strong>, <strong>coffee houses</strong>, and <strong>Heurigen</strong>...</p><p>If you leave the city on the north bank, you enter the <strong>Lobau</strong> – a part of the <strong>Donau-Auen National Park</strong>. This unique habitat for beavers, kingfishers, and even sea eagles is among the largest intact floodplain landscapes in Central Europe. You can learn more at <strong>Orth Castle</strong>, which you will soon reach after Schönau. This pretty water castle houses the <strong>schlossORTH National Park Center</strong> (exhibitions, excursions, boat tours, and museumORTH with a noteworthy local history museum). On the castle island, you will find the floodplain experience area including an underwater observation station.</p><p>After a ferry crossing over the Danube, you will then arrive at <strong>Petronell-Carnuntum</strong>. Shortly before reaching the municipality, you pass Austria's largest Roman monument and the region's landmark, the <strong>Heidentor</strong>, remains of a triumphal monument from the 4th century. Especially worth seeing is the <strong>Roman city Carnuntum</strong> with an authentically reconstructed Roman district.</p>