Platt can be explored from a range of historical and scenic perspectives. The museum focuses on the region’s long history of settlement, while Celtic settlement takes centre stage at Sandberg, between Platt and Roseldorf. The observation tower and wine cellar lanes offer a different perspective: here, the focus is on views across the Retz region and on characteristic places in and near Platt. These different themes help answer the question of what makes a trip to the area appealing—its archaeological history, its specific connection to the Celtic era or its landscape.
Archaeological finds and the history of the Celts
The Stone Age & Celtic Cellar Museum in Platt displays finds from excavations as well as artefacts from the region’s settlement history, which spans more than 7,000 years. The timeline extends from the Lengyel culture, known for its painted pottery, through the circular ditch period and the Funnel Beaker culture to the Copper and Bronze Ages. This sequence shows that the region’s prehistory encompasses several cultural periods and cannot be reduced to a single chapter. Anyone interested in archaeology will find a broad thematic overview here: the finds on display relate to a long history of settlement, while Sandberg focuses specifically on the Celtic era.
Austria’s largest Celtic settlement is located at Sandberg, between the villages of Platt and Roseldorf. Austria’s oldest mint is also situated there. These two facts highlight different aspects of the same place: the settlement’s size and the historical significance of coin minting. Sandberg can therefore be understood both as a settlement site and in terms of early coinage history.
The Sandberg themed trail
A themed trail has been laid out around the Celtic settlement at Sandberg since 2005. Panoramic viewing frames and information boards provide information about Celtic history and the findings of research conducted at Sandberg to date. The trail thus combines two perspectives: the historical context of the Celtic settlement and a look at the research devoted to this site. The information boards provide the content, while the panoramic viewing frames add a visual perspective. The trail is accessible year-round in good weather. This weather condition should therefore be taken into account when planning to make the trail a regular part of your itinerary.
Views and wine cellar lanes
The Platt observation tower is located in the Platt wine cellar lane and offers views across the Retz region. The viewpoint directly links the name of the wine cellar lane with a perspective on the wider landscape. Visitors interested in the surroundings as well as archaeology will find a different approach here than at Sandberg: rather than settlement history and research, the focus is on views across the countryside.
The Nusswald wine cellar lane lies just outside Platt, amid a walnut grove, and comprises a system of wine cellars. Its description highlights both the surrounding landscape and the layout of the wine cellar lane. The two places differ in their focus: in the Platt wine cellar lane, the observation tower and its views across the Retz region take centre stage; Nusswald is characterised by its location in the walnut grove and its wine cellar system. These are distinct features that broaden the perspective beyond the Celtic era.
This gives you a clear comparison when choosing a theme for your trip: the museum opens up the broader timeline of the region’s settlement history, Sandberg focuses on Celtic settlement and coin minting, and the themed trail presents history and research on site. The observation tower and wine cellar lanes complement these historical highlights with landscapes and local character.
Discover more destinations: Zellerndorf, Viendorf, Rafing, Kammersdorf, Mailberg, Jetzelsdorf, Pernersdorf, Schrattenthal
See the overview of the wider area: Hollabrunn.
