Maissau

Maissau, Lower Austria, town in the district of Hollabrunn, alt. 341 m, pop. 1,778, area 43.15 km², situated on the eastern hillside of the Manhartsberg hill. - Economy: agriculture and wine-growing. - Home of the religious sisterhood Caritas Socialis as well as of the Schmidatal social welfare institution. - First documented mention of Maissau in 1114; this town was systematically developed during the 13^th century; granted its town charter in 1380. - Sights: Baroque parish church of St. Veit (1767) with an eastern tower (1843); parts of the town walls, a watch-tower and the "Znaim Gate" (15^th /16^th century) have been preserved; palace (late Middle Ages with historicist alterations added in 1870) with a gate tower (1879) and park; former post house (1856); column dedicated to the Holy Trinity (late 17^th century). In Limberg Romanesque-Gothic parish church of St. Jakob (11^th -13^th century) with Baroque elements; in Eggendorf am Walde parish church St. Jakob in Late Baroque style (1744); in Oberdürnbach affiliate church St. Katharina (Gothic frescoes dating back to 14^th century, Baroque extensions 1740) and G.-v.-Einem Memorial, in Unterdürnbach former moated castle (Late Renaissance style, Baroque elements added 1747-1757) and parish church consecrated to Saint Mary Magdalen in Late Baroque style with Gothic choir.

Literature: Municipality of Maissau (ed.), Festschrift 600 Jahre Stadt Maissau 1380-1980, 1980; Österreichisches Städtebuch, vol. IV, part 2, Die Städte Niederösterreichs, 1976; Heimatbuch Limberg, 1993; Heimatbuch Unterdürnbach, 1996; Heimatbuch Oberdürnbach, ²1998.