One hundred reconstructed original buildings in GroĂźgmain and the places associated with the story of Silent Night show the many ways culture comes to life in Salzburg-Flachgau. There are also collections, birdwatching, mountain trails and experiences on the water. You can plan your discoveries around the themes that interest you most.
History in its original settings
The Salzburg Open-Air Museum in GroĂźgmain comprises 100 reconstructed original buildings from agriculture, crafts, rural trades and industry. The site also has a two-kilometre historic museum railway with three stops. Craft demonstrations and seasonal traditional events round out the programme, including an Easter market and the traditional raising of the maypole. If you want to experience one of these events, check the relevant date in advance.
In Oberndorf, the Silent Night Chapel stands on the site of the former St. Nicholas Church (St. Nikola), where the Christmas carol was first performed on 24 December 1818. The Silent Night Museum is housed on two floors of the Old Vicarage beside the chapel. Another historical account takes us to Mattsee: according to tradition, Duke Tassilo III of Bavaria built a church there around the year 760 in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel and founded a monastery at the same time.
The Mattsee Abbey Museum occupies twelve rooms in the historic provost’s residence, which have been prepared for visitors. Its abbey library contains more than 3,000 exhibits, including manuscripts and early printed books. The fahr(T)raum Mattsee offers another way to explore the history of technology: it displays automobiles that Ferdinand Porsche developed first for Lohner and later for Austro Daimler at the beginning of the 20th century. The timeline and the two manufacturers give the vehicles a specific historical context.
At the Celtic Forge in Seeham, you can watch Franz Lechner and Hermann Rosenstatter make “Celtic nails.” Here, the focus is not on a collection but on the craft itself. Demonstration times may change, so it is advisable to check the schedule before your visit.
Trails, views and nature watching
The Buchberg offers a variety of things to discover: Buchberg Nature Park has a circular summit trail with an observation tower. The Kraftweg trail leads to Hallstatt-period burial mounds associated with the former Buchberg settlement. You can choose between a circular trail with views and a route with an archaeological connection, depending on your interests.
The Untersberg massif covers about 70 square kilometres in the southwest of Flachgau, right on the border with Bavaria. It can be reached via the Untersberg cable car and various hiking trails. A 7.5-kilometre ski route starts a 15-minute walk from the mountain station and ends in FĂĽrstenbrunn. Winter conditions can vary, so take the latest conditions into account when planning your trip.
The Weidmoos themed trail features a twelve-metre-high observation tower with a telescope optimised for birdwatching. Most of the trail is accessible and suitable for pushchairs, although the ground surface may vary. The information about the trail and tower makes clear what you can focus on during your visit: observing nature and enjoying the view from the tower.
The Auenwerkstatt near Weitwörth-Nußdorf is located in the Salzach floodplains Natura 2000 area and offers nature experiences and excursions for adults and families. You can reach the centre by taking the S1 local train to Weitwörth-Nußdorf station, then walking for about 15 minutes. Programmes and train connections may change, so check both before setting off.
On the water: activities, wildlife watching and boat trips
Stand-up paddleboarding and trips in small boats are available on Lake Mattsee. Mattsee lido has a children’s pool with a slide and a playground. There are also four beach volleyball courts right by the lake, specially adapted for children. You’ll find a range of specific activities here for exercise and play, with no need for everyone to have the same focus.
The “Seenland” offers scheduled and special boat trips on Lake Mattsee and Lake Obertrum. Scheduled trips include round trips from Mattsee, Seeham and Obertrum. Check the timetable before your visit, as departure times may change. Lake Wallersee offers a different point of reference: at six square kilometres, it is the largest lake in the Salzburg Lake District.
Discover more destinations: Strobl, Ebenau, Obertrum Am See, Seekirchen Am Wallersee, Fuschl Am See, Faistenau, Nußdorf Am Haunsberg, Sankt Gilgen, Seeham, Mattsee, Hof Bei Salzburg, Hallwang, Eugendorf, Elixhausen, Anif, Hintersee, Henndorf Am Wallersee, Thalgau, Bürmoos, Bergheim, Abersee, Ellmau, Wals-Siezenheim, Habach, Koppl, Plainfeld, Grödig, Großgmain, Berndorf, Neumarkt Am Wallersee, Straßwalchen, Feichten, Salzburg, Michaelbeuern, Gschwand, Anthering, Niederalm, Elsbethen, Helming, Siezenheim, Gois, Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Viehhausen, Muntigl, Köstendorf bei Salzburg, Plain.
Go to the overview of the region: Salzburgerland.
