Felixdorf: Local History and the Piestingtal Cycle Route

Felixdorf can be discovered from several perspectives: architectural history, the textile industry, cycling and the Piesting landscape each offer a different focus. If you are looking for a hotel in Felixdorf, you can consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay. Historic listed buildings and dated local history offer a window into the past; the Piestingtal Cycle Route and the river landscape provide other points of interest. The outdoor swimming pool and forest playground are also specific places you can consider including in your plans.

Buildings and Local History

The little bell house at Hauptplatz 3 is a listed building under a preservation order. It was renovated in 2002. The town hall at Hauptstraße 31 was built by Wenzel Wegwarth in 1900. The two buildings therefore represent different historical connections: for the little bell house, its listed status and renovation are relevant; for the town hall, its year of construction and architect. Anyone interested in the town’s architectural history will find specific points of reference in both.

The Textile Industry in Felixdorf

Felixdorf’s industrial development is also part of its history. In the age of industrial progress, the town developed into a centre of the textile industry. One specific milestone was the Felixdorf weaving and finishing mill: a group of industrialists and merchants founded it in 1868 for large-scale production. Alongside weaving, the name refers to finishing—the treatment or refinement of textiles. In this way, Felixdorf’s broader development is linked to a dated founding event and a clearly defined purpose of production.

Cycling Through Felixdorf

The Piestingtal Cycle Route runs for about 22 km through Felixdorf, Steinabrückl and Wöllersdorf to Markt Piesting. Markt Piesting is considered the gateway to the Piesting Valley, which is also known as the Biedermeier Valley. From Sollenau to Gutenstein, the cycle route is paved throughout, signposted and also passes through Felixdorf. When planning, you can distinguish between the details by destination and route feature: the sequence of towns takes you as far as Markt Piesting, while the paving and signposting are specified for the route between Sollenau and Gutenstein.

The Piesting and the Riparian Forest

The Piesting shapes another aspect of Felixdorf’s landscape. Its main branch runs along the town and is divided into two side branches by the weir of a small hydroelectric power plant. Near Felixdorf, the side branches enclose an island covered in riparian forest before flowing together again into a stream. The course of the river can thus be followed in stages: from the division at the weir, past the wooded island, to where the branches merge again.

Leisure Facilities and Getting Here

The history of the outdoor swimming pool is another distinct part of local history. Today’s Felixdorf outdoor pool was renovated in 1991/1992 to plans by architect Bartak. Bäderbau Berndorf was the general contractor responsible for carrying out the work; the pool opened on 28 June 1992. The forest playground in Felixdorf, by contrast, is a more recent development: it opened in June 2020 and has a toddler area, a small water playground and a fitness area. The two leisure spots also differ in how to find out about them: the pool’s renovation and opening are documented with historical dates, while three areas are listed for the forest playground. Parking at Felixdorf railway station can be accessed via Mühlstraße in Felixdorf and via Hauptstraße in Felixdorf/Sollenau.

For the main travel overview: Lower Austria.