Kaiserbrunn Water Pipe Museum

Major cities all over the world envy Vienna for its delicious high spring water. The Water Pipeline Museum in Kaiserbrunn in the municipality of Reichenau an der Rax traces its path from the springs in the Rax and Schneeberg regions to the water tap.

Charles VI discovered a spring at the foot of the Schneeberg during a hunt in the 17th century and thereupon had barrels of the precious liquid brought to Vienna for him on a regular basis. Under Emperor Franz Joseph, the 1st Vienna High Spring Water Pipeline was finally built to supply Vienna, and the famous source of origin was given the name "Kaiserbrunn".

The construction of the 1st Vienna High Spring Water Pipeline took four years. To date, the 112-kilometer-long pipeline transports around 62 million cubic meters per year, and thus half of Vienna's drinking water, to the federal capital. Part of the route can be explored on the Water Pipeline Trail.

The Water Pipeline Museum consists of two buildings with seven rooms and an outdoor area. The main building used to be a water supervisor's house and is now a listed building. Hundreds of objects as well as display boards and video presentations inform visitors about the history and construction of the I Vienna High Spring Water Pipeline with free admission.

On the first few of the approximately 90 kilometers between the source and the consumer, the water pipeline hiking trail accompanies the water for Vienna: it runs from Kaiserbrunn through the wildly romantic Höllental valley, which is partly surrounded by rugged rock faces. Along the clear waters of the Schwarza, the shady path leads to Hirschwang.