Ybbsitz combines a long-standing blacksmithing culture with church architecture and opportunities for hiking and cycling. During your stay, you can focus on cultural attractions or set aside time for trails and views. A specific hike can be assessed by distance, elevation gain and duration; cyclists can choose from several routes.

Blacksmithing Traditions and Architectural History

“Blacksmithing in Ybbsitz” is a traditional craft in Lower Austria and was added to the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. At the multimedia experience museum “FeRRUM – world of iron” on Ybbsitz’s historic market square, an interactive exhibition offers insights into the craft of blacksmithing. It also shows just how much metal shapes everyday life. In this way, the traditional craft and its presentation in an exhibition offer distinct cultural perspectives side by side.

The churches, too, invite visitors to take a closer look at architectural history. The parish church of St John the Baptist in Ybbsitz is a Late Gothic hall church. Its choir dates from 1419, and its nave from 1480–1496. The two parts of the building therefore reflect different periods of construction. In the district of Kleinprolling stands the pilgrimage church of Maria Seesal, built between 1904 and 1906. It lies within the municipality of Ybbsitz, but not in the town centre.

Advance booking is required to visit the Fahrngruber Hammer. So don’t plan it as a spontaneous stop, and arrange your visit in advance. If you are interested in local history beyond individual buildings, the Ybbsitz Topothek offers historical records online. Its collections cover cultural monuments as well as agriculture, industry, transport, schools, floods, the fire brigade and theatre.

Hiking, Cycling and Views

The “Ybbsitz Blacksmith Mile” is a moderately difficult hike covering 7.76 kilometres with 398 metres of elevation gain; the stated duration is 2:30 hours. The route is described as suitable for families, and several route options and shortcuts are available. This lets you choose between the specified route and the alternatives mentioned. Check the route details before planning, as they may change.

A distinctive feature along the way is the 25-metre-long footbridge, built by Ybbsitz blacksmiths and spanning the waterfall on the Prollingbach stream. The “Up the Prochenberg” hiking route starts in the centre of Ybbsitz. The observation tower on the Prochenberg offers 360° views of the surrounding mountains.

Cyclists and mountain bikers can choose from four varied routes with a total length of around 110 kilometres. The cycling options are spread across several routes, while the Blacksmith Mile is described as a single hike with its own distance, elevation gain and duration. You can therefore consider your preferred activity and timeframe as separate criteria when planning your stay.

Each theme offers a different starting point for planning your visit; advance booking is specifically required for the Fahrngruber Hammer.

Discover more destinations: Amstetten, Sankt Valentin, Ertl, Weistrach, Zeillern, Wolfsbach, Neuhofen An Der Ybbs, Allhartsberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Amstetten.