The Rauchstubenhaus in Edelschachen offers a tangible introduction to the history of the former municipality of Naintsch: records refer to it as a Hube in Erleschachen, and it was first mentioned in 1440. Other points of interest include the Gnadenbrunnen in Naintsch and the pilgrimage church and trails in Heilbrunn. If you would like to combine culture and outdoor activity, you can focus on whichever interests you most: the museum, pilgrimage and hiking trails each offer a different perspective.
Pilgrimage and Trails in Heilbrunn
The parish and pilgrimage church of Maria Heilbrunn, also known as the Visitation of Mary in Heilbrunn, is protected as a listed monument under an official regulation. Pilgrimage is also a recurring tradition: every year, 20 to 25 groups of pilgrims continue to travel to Heilbrunn on their designated dates. If you would like to take the pilgrimage into account when planning your visit, schedule it around the date set for the group in question. The Gnadenbrunnen in Naintsch is also protected as a listed monument under an official regulation. This makes it possible to consider the pilgrimage church in Heilbrunn and the fountain in Naintsch as distinct cultural and historical highlights.
The Children’s Icon Pilgrimage Trail starts at the pilgrimage church in Heilbrunn and passes nine stations designed by children. It is freely accessible, and the walking time alone is about 45 minutes. Allow this amount of time for the route, plus extra time if you would like to spend time at the stations. The HeilBrunnWeg offers a different focus: this circular trail links springs and fountains around Heilbrunn in the Almenland Nature Park. Comparing the trails, one is a route with designed stations and an approximate walking time, while the other is a circular route centred on the connection between springs and fountains.
The Rauchstubenhaus in Edelschachen
The Rauchstubenhaus local history museum is located in the scattered settlement of Edelschachen, in the former municipality of Naintsch, in the Almenland Nature Park at an altitude of 800 m. Records refer to it as a Hube in Erleschachen; it was first mentioned in writing in 1440, with further references appearing later. Its location and recorded history give you two tangible points of interest for a museum visit: its setting in Edelschachen and its early written mention.
“Häfennigl” is occasionally prepared for visitors at the Rauchstubenhaus over an open hearth. Since this only happens occasionally, if you are particularly interested, it is best to check in advance whether it is planned for your visit date.
Several marked hiking trails from the Apfelland and Almenland regions lead to the Rauchstubenhaus. This makes it easy to plan the museum as a hiking destination. The areas the trails start from can help you choose your starting point if you would like to combine culture with a walk.
Planning Highlights for Your Trip
For motorcycle trips, there is a clear route connection: on the return journey to Passail, the “Mountains and Valleys” tour passes through Naintsch and Heilbrunn. If this tour suits your trip, you can include the two places as part of this return journey; the information specifically refers to the direction towards Passail.
When choosing accommodation, it helps to decide on your priorities before you start searching. Would you like to plan around the pilgrimage in Heilbrunn, choose a hiking trail with the Rauchstubenhaus as your destination, or include the motorcycle tour in your route? Depending on your answer, culture, walking time or driving distance will carry different weight in your plans. This way, you can tailor your stay to the experiences that matter most to you.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Kathrein Am Hauenstein, Gleisdorf, Markt Hartmannsdorf, Sankt Ruprecht An Der Raab, Fischbach, Hohenau An Der Raab, Pischelsdorf In Der Steiermark, Stenzengreith.
View the overview of the wider region: Weiz.
