This past weekend, we travelled with my husband’s parents to the Southern part of Moravia and Lower Austria (Vienna).
Our first stop was in Mikulov, a beautiful town which used to be ruled by the Lichtenstein family (the noble family whose name is the same as the little country that they still rule to this day) when this part of the country used to be part of the Austrian empire.
According to other writers, this part of Moravia used to be Sigmund Freud’s playground.
Sigmund Freud, the famous Austrian neurologist and the founding father of psychoanalysis was born in Příbor, a little town in South Moravia. That was back during the day when Moravia was still part of the Austrian empire. It is said that when he is tired of the hustle and bustle in Vienna, he is a frequent visitor of Mikulov. No wonder, it is just and hour’s drive from Vienna, and very very close to the Austrian border.
Perhaps the most famous and most prominent historical spot in this town is the Chateau.
This chateau used to be the summer residence of the Lichtenstein noble family. Later on, it was sold to the Dietrichstein family who occupied this place until 1945.
In fact, another notable monument is the Dietrichstein tomb, where the remains of the family members now lie.
Inside the chateau grounds, is a beautiful garden which is open to the public all year round.
Up in the chateau grounds, one can view the whole town.
In the distance, one can also see another interesting monument, the Svatý kopeček (Holy Hill), where the St. Sebastian chapel can be found.
We never really went to this place because it sits on a different hill.
It seems like there were a few pilgrims who made their way to the top. But on the other hand, they may not be pilgrims. This hill is also home to several rare plants and animal species and has been declared a nature reserve.
Still on a different hill, one can also find the Kozí hrádek (Goat Tower).
This was a very significant tower for the protection of Mikulov in the 15th century. It contains a two-storey bombarding tower, which at that time was considered an advanced defense system in the Central European context. Today, it is has been landscaped and included as a recreational area.
There were still a lot of interesting places that we didn’t get to see due to time constraints. But with what I saw, I am not wondering why Freud loved this place.
Mikulov offers a wide range or nature activities and for those who appreciate good wine, this town also has a rich viticulture tradition. The historical monuments I mentioned was just a tip of the iceberg.
I have just added this in my list of favorite places to visit. Not sure when we can go back, but we definitely will.
If you would like to know more about Mikulov, please click here.
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