Schwedenhöhlen (Rohrwald)
Schwedenhöhlen in Rohrwald area, Austria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Schwedenhöhlen, also known as Schwedenlöcher, are artificial caves in the Rohrwald forest in the municipality of Harmannsdorf, Weinviertel, Lower Austria.[1] They are cut into loess soil and are associated with the regional tradition of subterranean refuges known as erdstalls.
| Schwedenhöhlen | |
|---|---|
| Schwedenlöcher | |
| |
 Interactive map of Schwedenhöhlen | |
| Coordinates | 48°25′34″N 16°20′21″E |
History
The name Schwedenhöhlen refers to the Thirty Years' War. According to local historical accounts, inhabitants used the caves as hiding places during the Swedish occupation of the region. Swedish forces under Lennart Torstensson captured nearby Korneuburg in 1645.[2]
The caves have also been linked in local accounts to earlier conflicts involving Hussites, Ottoman troops, and Hungarians, as well as to the Napoleonic Wars in 1809 and the final weeks of World War II in 1945.[3]
Description
The cave system consists of several small man-made passages and chambers. Reported interior features include niches, benches, and a domed chamber with a central pillar.[4]
Some entrances have deteriorated over time. According to a 1991 report in Der Erdstall, alterations made in the 1970s to improve access changed the original entrance forms and contributed to erosion.[5]
Ownership
The caves are owned by the forestry administration of Klosterneuburg Abbey.[6]
In popular culture
.jpg)
The Schwedenhöhlen are a major setting in Johannes Grenzfurthner's 2022 horror film Razzennest, which was filmed in the Rohrwald region.[7][8]
