A visit to the Seegrotte is important because of its unique position as a subterranean lake where one can actually ride on a boat. It is actually a Gypsum mine that got flooded in 1912 and is now Europe's largest subterranean lake. It was also used by the Nazis during WW II for manufacturing aircraft , using POW labour.Be prepared for a long walk (about 20 mins) in a tunnel, before you reach the lake. Make sure you carry a jacket as temperature is 9 C throughout the year (you can rent a blanket on site too). The water is completely clean - but without oxygen- so there is no aquatic life at all. Water depth is maintained constant at around 1.2 meters by pumping out water daily. The boat ride itself is just a few minutes and a bit a disappointment..The local guide was a delight and kept us regaled with humorous stories and anecdotes, which helped lighten up the dark and damp surroundings..
A decent attraction. Lots of historical trivia about these gypsum mines which are now leading to a subterranean lake (largest in Europe). The guide was very witty and friendly. A decent cafe next to it.
If you are already in the Vienna Woods (perhaps visiting the nearby Lichtenstein Castle), you should stop here if you are interested in WWII history or Disney's The Three Musketeers movie. An odd combination, right?The Seegrotte is an undergorund complex where German aircraft were once built in secret during WWII, so there is some interesting history on the tour.The complex also served as a location for some of the scenes from the movie mentioned earlier, and some of the set dressing is still in place (prison walls, and a boat in the underground lake).The lake itself, which the tour includes a boat ride of, is less spectacular than I was expecting but my kids liked it.
We were there in spring. Went There By train, Then took the bus from the station. The guide speaks several languages. He is a funny person in a funny costume, but it's a part of his job.Told us a lot of stories, took through the maze of labitinth. We had a boat trip on the lake (sea). Films were made there.After The Tour THE Guide Asks YOU For A donation. I hope you won't mind.
and Europe's largest underground lake (boat ride included in tour)3000 year old gypsum mine. during the war, planes were built there to avoid our bombing raids.. the Nazis then shipped them to wr. neustadt to install the engines, and that's where we destroyed them.
we felt that the entry price was a bit high for the tour. You walk through a long entry tunnel and then through several different large halls. The history is actually really fascinating and it would have helped if the exhibits were improved or updated with better explanations. Our guide spoke too quickly throughout the tour and often it was difficult to understand the guide as he switched from german to English. The boat ride was nice, but it would have been more memorable if it was longer.
I will be honest, the main reason we visited was because I wanted to see an underground lake, and with the promise of the largest in Europe, I couldn't resist.If anything I was a little underwhelmed by the actual lake. It is all in an old gypsum mine that they accidentally flooded by blowing up the wrong bit. Because of this, nothing felt very natural. There were no interesting stalagmites/stalactites to see or interesting rock formations. It was all very man made (as it would be). I don't really think I can fault Seegrotte for this, but it just wasn't as awe inspiring as I maybe pictured in my head. The lake itself is a beautiful blue colour and is very picturesque as they have lit it up, however it is not very deep (at an average of 1.2m) and smaller again than I pictured in my mind. What really made this place was the guide. He was excellent, funny and clearly passionate about the history. Having said I was a little underwhelmed by the lake, the history was richer than I had expected. After being closed after the mining accident it was used as a tourist attraction, film set for Disney's 3 Musketeers, and used by Heinkel to make top secret WW2 planes. The mine shaft to get to the middle was an uncomfortable 450m for someone of my height (just over 6 foot) and it is small, dark and narrow. Defiantly not recommended for anyone with a fear of claustrophobia. One thing I will warn you is that although there is a sign that says they accept cards, this is only for souvenirs (for some strange reason), so you will need cash for the visit (€10 for an Adult). There is not really a car park so you will have to walk up from the road that runs down one side, which is frustrating if you don't have the cash and have to drive back into the town to the nearest cash machine (by the church!).In all, probably didn't live up to all of my expectations, but I can't fault the attraction just because I pictured something differently. I would go again and would say it's worth a visit if you are in the area with a method of transportation.
A long walk down a damp and slippery underground hallway where they cheerfully tell you how they blinded horses that were used to work the gypsum mine and kept them in the mine for 20 years without coming up. Follow that with a description of the Nazi jet engine reseach conducted there without a mention of the slave labor used to conduct it. Then a 10 minute ride on a boat before the long trudge back up, pondering slave labor and blinded horses. Avoid. Guide spoke English well.
We visited Seegrotte as part of a tour that went through Vienna woods; reference Expedia details:-Pass through Baden and the Helenental Valley en route to the former Mayerling hunting lodge. The lodge is now a commemorative chapel, remembering the deaths of Crown Prince Rudolph and Baronesse Vetsera in 1889. Marvel at the intricate medieval cloister in the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz before continuing on to the Seegrotte. Here you will complete your day with a unique underground boat ride. Seegrotte was a gentle walk through some narrow mining tunnels (anyone over 6' will have to stoop!) looking at recesses along the way depicting various activities within the mine. The main interest is the very small section stating about WW2 and Heinkel He162, the first jet plane, being built here; such a shame there was not more memorabilia available about this bit of history and less of the plastic animals in a cave recess.Boat ride on the underground lake well worth doing, though would like to have seen more; 85 steps up and down to the last section of the lake, they are low risers and easy to negotiate; there is no wheelchair access or facility for anyone not physically able to do a long flight of stairs.
Visited Seegrotte in Austria which is an underground lake. It is an old mine that got flooded and became a lake. The place was very beautiful and the water is very clear. The boat ride takes you through these cave openings that look so beautiful especially when reflected on the crystal clear water. The mine is very cold so do dress appropriately or you can get blankets before entering the mine. Overall, an excellent experience.