Geologisches Freilichtmuseum Blockheide
Geological open-air museum and nature park centre in the Blockheide near Gmünd: rocks of the Waldviertel, a rocking stone exhibition and a lookout tower.
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About the museum
The Blockheide near Gmünd in the upper Waldviertel is known for its massive granite boulders and rocking stones. The protection of the landscape is due above all to the sculptor Carl Hermann, originally from Styria, who came to Gmünd after the Second World War. On his initiative, the Blockheide was declared Austria's second-oldest nature park in 1964.
The nature park's museum offerings include the Geological Open-Air Museum in the Kirchenwald forest. In 2004 the Naturpark Blockheide association completely redesigned it: since then, 34 types of rock from the Waldviertel – granites, gneisses, marble and other rocks – have stood in a semicircle arranged by origin and are explained on trilingual panels. The educational trail is called “GRANITnaTOUR”.
In the centre of the park, a new wooden lookout tower was built from 2003, already the third on this spot. Beneath it, the former water reservoir built in 1908 was converted into the nature park centre with information and a shop. On the climb up the tower, a diorama display titled “The Birth of the Rocking Stones” shows how granite and the boulder landscape came into being.
Themed trails, a natural playground and the neighbouring Schutzhaus round off the visit; the nature park itself is freely accessible all year round.
Highlights
- 34 types of rock from the Waldviertel in the semicircle of the open-air museum
- Diorama display “The Birth of the Rocking Stones” in the former water reservoir
- Lookout tower with views as far as the Czech Republic
- Rocking stones and natural monuments such as the Christophorusstein and Teufelsbett
- Natural playground at the nature park centre
Permanent exhibitions
- Geologisches Freilichtmuseum („GRANITnaTOUR“) – Outdoor display of 34 types of rock from the Waldviertel, arranged in a semicircle by origin and explained in three languages.
- Die Geburt der Wackelsteine – Diorama display on the ascent of the lookout tower about the formation of granite, the Blockheide and rocking stones.
- Operated by
- Verein Naturpark Blockheide Gmünd-Eibenstein
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Young people, school pupils, civil and military service participants |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children up to 6 years free |
| Groups (15+ people) | –20% discount for groups of 15 or more |
| Families | –20% family discount; children free with the NÖ Familienpass |
Admission covers the tower climb with the exhibition “The Birth of the Rocking Stones”. The nature park and the Geological Open-Air Museum are freely accessible; donations are requested in the boxes at the entrances. Free admission once with the Niederösterreich-CARD.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Playground / play area
Natural playground at the nature park centre; family activities and programmes for kindergartens in the events calendar.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gmünd (Bahnhof)
By Franz-Josefs-Bahn to Gmünd (terminus); from the station, about 25 minutes on foot to the nature park entrance.
By car
Parking available
Parking in Gmünd (Mühlgasse) or in Eibenstein, each about 10 minutes on foot to the Blockheide entrance.
The nature park centre can only be reached on foot (about 15 minutes).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Shop in the nature park centre; Schutzhaus Blockheide next to the tower (snacks), Café-Restaurant Latschenhütte nearby; barbecue area in the nature park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Bookable educational programmes with nature park guides for kindergartens and schools; guided hikes according to the events calendar. Dogs must be kept on a leash. |
