A stay in Gnas can be shaped around a range of local themes: a Marian column dating from 1678 stands in the town centre, while the parish church, local history museum and Sandstöckl each offer a different glimpse into the past. There are also hiking trails, exercise classes, an outdoor swimming pool and wine experiences. You can focus on local history, time outdoors or a tasting without having to follow a fixed itinerary.
Cultural history and crafts in Gnas
The Marian column in the centre is a votive column dating from 1678 and is protected as a historic monument by ordinance. Gnas Parish Church also offers several clearly dated points of interest: dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Angels, it was first mentioned in a document in 1339. Its Neo-Gothic high altar dates from 1878 to 1880. Gnas has been known as a Marian pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages; the church's feast day is celebrated on 2 August. These dates point to different aspects of local and church history—from the pilgrimage tradition and the first written record to a later furnishing.
The Gnas Local History Museum offers a different perspective on local history. In its present form, it opened in 1996 in the attic of the municipal building. Its exhibits explore the development of markets, guilds and the crafts associated with them. A particular focus is the history of clothing production in and around Gnas, traced up to the present day. While the parish church brings together religious history and architecture, the museum focuses on trade, guilds and work. To visit the museum, register at the municipal office.
The “Sandstöckl” winegrower's house in Ebersdorf bei Gnas adds the history of a single house to these themes. The 400-year-old building was dismantled between 2010 and 2017, expertly renovated and rebuilt close to its original site. It is the last authentic house of its kind in the entire south-eastern region of Styria. A bee display garden and an educational bee trail are located around the Sandstöckl. The house also stands directly on the Kaskögerlweg, a hiking trail in the Thermen- und Vulkanland Steiermark region. This brings together architectural history, learning about bees and a direct connection to hiking.
Outdoor activities and trails: different options
For a hike, the Raning Höhenweg starts at the sports grounds in Gnas. It follows the Gnasbach stream and partly runs along the Agricultural Theme Trail. Check route conditions before setting off. The Tatschkerland Tour offers a different route: it starts at the Gnas youth and family guest house and goes via Lichtenberg and Ebersdorf to Krusdorf. For the return trip to Gnas, you can travel from Prädiberg stop along the regional railway. Check the train connections in advance. The details about the starting points and routes help you distinguish between the tours; they do not specify walking or travel times.
“BEWEGT IM PARK” also offers outdoor exercise, but in the form of classes rather than a trail. In Gnas, the programme includes free exercise classes in public parks or other open spaces, led by professional instructors. Programme details may vary by season. Another option is the terraced outdoor swimming pool on the eastern edge of town. Hiking trails, instructor-led exercise classes and the swimming pool offer different ways to spend time outdoors; you can choose what suits your stay without assuming they form part of a single route.
Wine and regional snacks
At Weinhof Rath, tastings of the “Sommerliebe wines” are available by prior arrangement; the wines are also available at the winery. The selection includes Weißburgunder, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Souvignier Gris, Muscaris, Zweigelt, Zweigelt weiß, Chardonnay and Frizzante. If you plan a tasting, arrange the date in advance. Vines grow around the award-winning Buschenschank at Weinhof Huber. A traditional snack platter is an ideal match for the wines. These offer two different ways to enjoy wine: a tasting by prior arrangement at Rath, and wine paired with a snack platter at the Huber Buschenschank.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Stefan Im Rosental, Studenzen, Unterlamm, Jagerberg, Paldau, Feldbach, Kapfenstein, Kirchberg An Der Raab
Return to the main travel overview: Feldbach.
