25 years of Thayatal National Park: A festival for nature and adventure!

25 years of Thayatal National Park: A festival for nature and adventure!

Nationalpark Thayatal, Österreich - On June 3, 2025, the anniversary festival "25 Years of National Park Thayatal" was celebrated in the Thayatal National Park. This unique occasion marks a quarter of a century since the national park was officially deported. A special highlight of the celebrations was the opening of the new “revaluation” viewing station, which offers visitors an impressive panoramic view of the river loops and circulation mountains of the Thayatal. The State Councilor Ludwig Schleritzko took the opportunity to emphasize the important connection between nature conservation and regional development and described the Thayatal as the "Green Canyon Austria".

The National Park protects a wide range of 7,700 hectares that are connected to the Národní Park Podyjí in the Czech Republic. The new, 16-meter-high viewpoint, which was built from natural tree trunks and a steel structure, stands at the Merkersdorfer circular hiking trail and was designed by architect Karl Gruber in dialogue with nature. After the ceremonial blessing by herb pastor Benedikt, the guests present revealed the exciting history of the national park by Pavel Müller, the director of Národní Park Podyjí.

nature conservation and biodiversity

A central topic of the speech was the high biodiversity of the national park. More than half of all mammals, reptile and amphibian types of Austria are registered here. In the context of this rich biodiversity, Thomas Wrbka emphasized the natural forest development, while Christian Holzer from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLUK) praised the international recognition of the national park. The return of once missing species such as the wild cat, the wandering falcon and the sea eagle shows the successful nature conservation work of the national park. Around 80 % of the forests in the Thayatal are considered close to nature.

The Thaya, named after the Illyrian for "rushing river", forms the heart of the national park. With a length of 23.3 kilometers, it flows through the landscape and changes between the Czech and the Austrian side. Their striking meanders and the geological formations that have developed over millions of years make the Thaya unique. An impressive part of this river flows around the circulation in Merkersdorf and is partially slowed down by a 120 meter wide rock bar.

celebrations and outlook

The festival program was diverse and attracted over 700 visitors. It offered creative offers, adventurous challenges and various artistic highlights. Norbert Kellner and Helga Donnerbauer found themselves among the honors for long -standing companions who have supported the project over the years. National park director Christian Übl expressed his joy over the lively response to the media and explained that the future of the national park will continue to be shaped by sustainability and international exchange.

Overall, the Thayatal National Park is not only an important habitat for numerous animal and herbal species, but also a place that offers recreation, education and research areas for the future. As reports the environmental organization National Parksaustria.at, national parks in Austria are international protected areas in which nature conservation and species are given the highest priority.