One of the benefits of sailing with AmaWaterways are the extras, such as a private castle visit with a performance by traditional dancers in Grein, Austria. The ship docks in Grein on the Danube River and we enjoyed an evening walk up through the quaint town to the castle. There were many steps so you were given the opportunity to take a van up to the castle if you prefer.
Grein
Grein is located at the entrance of the Strudengau Valley, Austria. About 3,300 people live in the small historic town. Grein’s claim to fame is the site of Austria’s oldest residential castle, Greinburg Castle, and its oldest theater, Stadttheatre.
Greinburg Castle
Greinburg Castle is privately owned by the ducal House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha families since 1823. The highlights of the castle are the “Sala Terrena” (Stone Theatre), the Diamond Vault, and the Knights Hall.
The “Sala Terrena” was constructed in 1625. An intricate pebble mosaic covers the entire room’s walls and ceiling. It is amazing and definitely worth seeing. The pebbles came from the Danube River. The ceiling features the coat of arms of the Count of Meggau, who directed its construction. The Diamond Vault does not have real diamonds but gets its name from its beautiful unique geometric ceiling. The room was built as part of the original building in the late Middle Ages. The Knights Hall is one of the largest vaulted Renaissance halls in Austria and features paintings from the 17th century.
Traditional Austrian dance performance
The evening concludes in the Knights Hall. We received a glass of sparkling wine and watched traditional Austrian dances performed by local residents.
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