With the opening of the new Cisterscapesvisitor center in the Old Town Hall on June 25, another important milestone was reached for the municipality of Zwettl, Zwettl Abbey, and the entire region. The visitor center brings the Zwettl monastic landscape to life in a modern and interactive way and will serve as a starting point for exploring the region’s European cultural heritage.

The speeches highlighted the importance of the European network Cisterscapes, which connects Europe’s historic monastic landscapes. Special thanks were extended to all project partners and to those who have played a key role in developing the visitor center over the past few years—above all, Abbey Archivist Dr. Andreas Gamerith and City Archivist Elisabeth Moll.

Mayor and Member of the Lower Austrian State Parliament ÖkR Franz Mold explains: “Cisterscapes highlights the fact that Zwettl is part of a European network of cultural landscapes and thus plays a significant role in Europe’s shared cultural heritage.”

Deputy Mayor Alexander Leutgeb, Father Paulus Nüss, Mayor Franz Mold, Marta Krejčíčková, Andreas Gamerith, Eva Mayer, and Elisabeth Moll were delighted with the opening of the new Cisterscapes Visitor Center.

Experience “Bearskin” Digitally

The new visitor center invites visitors not only to understand these connections, but also to experience them firsthand. The modern exhibition in the Old City Hall is divided into three clearly structured rooms.

The front section highlights the phenomenon of Cistercian monastic landscapes in Europe, as well as Zwettl’s integration into the international Cisterscapes network and its collaboration with European partner monasteries.

The central room is primarily dedicated to the ponds and the European Cultural Heritage Label, presented in a multimedia format. At the touch of a button, visitors can access selected films that illustrate the importance of pond farming and the role of Zwettl Abbey as one of the earliest pioneers of carp pond farming in the Waldviertel region. The children’s corner invites the youngest visitors to explore the monastery landscape through play.

A special highlight awaits in the rear exhibition room: the digital “Bear Skin,” the founding charter of Zwettl Abbey. Selected pages of this historic document are brought to life using modern technology—allowing visitors, for example, to witness Hadmar I on a horseback procession. At the opening, this experience was complemented by a VR station where visitors could virtually immerse themselves in the world of the Waldviertel’s carp ponds. There, visitors “swam” alongside the fish and experienced the fish harvest from a completely new perspective—an immersive presentation developed by the Lower Austrian Pond Farmers’ Association.

With the new visitor center, Zwettl now has another attractive venue where history, nature, and culture are presented in an innovative way. At the same time, the exhibition serves as the ideal starting point for exploring the unique monastery landscape right on site.

Hours of Operation

Mon., Tue., Wed. 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Thu. and Fri., 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Additionally, from May through the end of October:

Ms. 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Sat., Sun., and holidays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V3UzkbGsK-g