Gmünd

Gmünd is a town in the Austrian state of Lower Austria and the administrative center of the district of Gmünd. It lies in the Waldviertel region near the Czech border, along the Thaya river. The town is part of the Thayatal landscape and is adjacent to the Thayatal National Park, a cross-border nature area linked to the Czech Podyjí National Park.

The historic center preserves architecture dating from the late Middle Ages through the Baroque period, reflecting its history as a market town and fortress settlement. Notable elements include the town square and remnants of fortifications, as well as churches and other historic buildings that illustrate the area's urban development over centuries.

The local economy traditionally relies on forestry and agriculture, with tourism growing due to access to natural landscapes, hiking opportunities, and cross-border day trips to the Czech Republic. Gmünd is accessible by road and rail, linking it with larger Austrian cities and neighboring regions, and it participates in regional and cross-border cooperation under European Union programs to promote sustainable development.

The region has a long history, with evidence of settlement dating to the medieval period. Over the centuries, control of the town changed among various feudal lords before becoming part of the Habsburg dominions and, in the modern era, an important border town on Austria’s northern frontier. Today, Gmünd serves as a gateway to the Thaya valley and its protected landscapes.