Litschau#

Litschau, Lower Austria, town in the district of Gmuend, alt. 534 m, pop. 2,923, area 81.05 km2, northernmost town of Austria, by Schoenauer and Herrenteich ponds and Reissbach stream, in the north-western Waldviertel region. - District Chamber of Agriculture, branch office of the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, two golf courses, highway maintenance depot; metal-works (fittings, plates, etc.), wood-working, 2 factories for pet supplies and accessories, summer tourism (72,263 overnight stays). - First documented mention as town in 1386, during the 17th and 18th centuries glass melting furnaces, later textile industry; late Gothic hall church with 3 naves (14th -15th centuries, in 1685 Baroque alterations) with ceiling frescos (14th and 15th centuries); Old Castle with donjon (13th century); New Castle (18th century); main square bordered by Waldviertler Ackerbuergerhaeuser (type of houses of wealthy middle-class citizens) from the 19th century; pillory (1688); parts of the city wall with former city gate (1685) remained. K.-Schrammel documentation in the local heritage museum; "Kultursommer" cultural festival.

Literature#