Gföhl

Gföhl, Lower Austria, town in the district of Krems, alt. 579, pop. 3,715, area 80.76 km², Southern Waldviertel (region in Lower Austria), clothes and uniform manufacturing, poultry breeding, district branch of the chamber of agriculture, Baroque parish church (1715-1720), crypt chapel (1761) with tomb of the Sinzendorf family. The Gföhl forest was formerly under direct control of the local princes. Clearing started in the 16^th century, with farms loosely scattered. From the 15^th century onwards, the "Jaidhof" hunting lodge constituted the local centre. It was converted into a palace designed in Classicist style in the 19^th century.