The Town of Mondsee
The small and historic town is situated right on the northern shore of Mondsee (Note: locals pronounce “see” as “zeh,” so the name is Mond-zeh, not Mond-see as many tourists tend to pronounce it). The town center is ancient and characterized by elevated buildings constructed on wooden stilts to cope with floods. These ancient structures have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the heart of the town is a large medieval monastery. The monastery was founded as early as the 8th century AD by Odilo, who was the ruler of Bavaria (this area previously belonged to Bavaria). For hundreds of years, the monastery belonged to a Benedictine order, but in 1985 the owners of the monastery sold it, and its activities ceased.
Next to the monastery is St. Michael’s Church, which served as a filming location for the movie “The Sound of Music.” The wedding scene from the film was shot in this church.
The town’s streets are very pleasant, and you can spend a few hours here on a relaxed walk or sitting in one of its many cafes. Near the lake shore, there is also a playground for children.
Many travelers come to this area in the summer months mainly to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, the warm lakes, and the wonderful nature. In this area, there are many hiking trails, bike paths, and of course, a bit of culture and history.
Lake Mondsee
The clear lake located south of the town serves as a popular place for swimming and water sports. The name of the lake means Moon Lake (Mondsee). According to local legend, Duke Odilo, who ruled the area, came with his wife to the mountains in the region to hunt wild animals. Unfortunately, Odilo got lost as darkness fell and almost fell off the edge of the mountain. Suddenly, the full moon appeared and lit his way. Odilo was grateful and swore he would build a monastery on the lake shore. Because of this, the lake got its name – Moon Lake.
In summer, the water temperature reaches 27 degrees Celsius, so on hot days, you can cool off in the wonderful waters of the lake. The lake stretches for 11 kilometers and is 2 kilometers wide, which means it is one of the largest in the Salzkammergut lake region. In the lake, you can swim, surf, and go boating. Around the lake, there are hiking and cycling trails.
Additional Essential Information about Lake Mondsee
Address: Mondsee
How to get there by public transport from Vienna?
Although the journey from Vienna by public transport is long, you can reach the lake area with relative ease. First, you need to take a train from Vienna‘s main train station towards the city of Salzburg. After about a two-and-a-half-hour journey, you should get off at the Neumarkt-Köstendorf Bahnhof station and switch to bus line 595 towards Mondsee. You should get off at the Mondsee Busterminal Franz-Kreutzberger-Straße stop. The journey takes 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Plan your times and route using the Austrian railway website.
Map:
Lake Irrsee
North of the town of Mondsee is another small lake, Irrsee. The lake stretches for 5 kilometers and is one kilometer wide. The lake’s water is the warmest among the lakes of the Salzkammergut region. Around the lake, there is wonderful nature that is actually considered a nature reserve. Swimming in the lake is allowed, but boating is not possible.
Additional Essential Information about Lake Irrsee
Address: Irrsee
Map:
Another lake located near these lakes is the beautiful Lake Wolfgang and the town of St. Gilgen. Read more information about the lake and its activities.
