Route of Wonder Wartau

Linden tree (power place): The beautiful linden tree, together with St. Martin's Church, is the emblem of Gretschins. Tradition assigns it a great age; it is said to have been planted during the plague in the 17th century on the grave of seven Hansens, all of whom died of the plague on the same day. The linden has strong energies of good, wholesome quality. Sit on the bench under the tree and recharge with strength and calm.

Gretschins Church: The Romanesque church surprises somewhat with its austerity inside. On 11/11, St. Martin's Day, sunlight at sunrise shines through the choir windows onto the altar. The builders erected the early churches according to pre-Christian tradition, aligned to the stars, on powerful places. The power place of the church is located under the bell tower; its quality suggests an ancient cult site.

Wartau castle ruins (power place): Archaeological excavations between 1980 and 1990 indicate a ten-thousand-year history of settlement with increasing population density and another settlement site below the Wartau castle ruins in Herrenfeld. The location of the medieval castle complex with a view over the Rhine Valley is separated by a natural depression from the Ochsenberg. We approach the ruins via the castle courtyard. Here, the draw well and the large pointed rock catch the eye. Sit by the well and on the large stone. The stone has an extraordinarily strong energy of good quality. Here you can recharge with wonderful energy.

Brochna castle and heathen church (power place): The foundations of Brochna castle date from the mid-12th century. During the excavation of the wall remains in 1977/78, a Neolithic settlement site was discovered on one of the Schratt limestone blocks alongside the castle. The cliff of the castle drops vertically and is separated from the other rock by a wide fissure. Both the castle and the settlement site show partially strong energies, with qualities in the castle both building up and breaking down.

Weite, Post - Halde - Murris - Gretschins - Wartau ruins - Brochna castle - Gretschins - Weite, Post

From the Post stop, the route goes uphill towards Halde (signpost); after about 200m, we turn right. At Murris, the path follows the terraces of the vineyard at the foot of the castle hill and leads us to Gretschins. After visiting the church, we hike uphill and follow the signpost to the castle ruins on the right (toilet at the castle). We return the same way from the castle and follow the first signpost towards Brochna castle on the right. We follow the forest path until a narrow trail leads steeply down on the right. The return route takes us back to Gretschins and further to Fontnas, where we descend and walk back to the post bus stop in Weite.