A 72-metre-high church tower, a 16th-century house and a seasonal outdoor pool offer very different ways to explore Mauerkirchen. The town’s history can be seen in its churches and historic memorial sites; for time outdoors, there are the outdoor pool and the Mattigtal Motor Skills Trail. If you are looking for a hotel in Mauerkirchen, these differences can help you decide what to focus on during your stay: architectural history, local heritage or outdoor activities.

Churches and the marks of time

Mauerkirchen was first mentioned in a document around 1250 and was an important pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages. The churches reveal several distinct later phases of construction. The parish church was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style after the fire of 1865. Its tower is 72 metres high; the section up to the belfry dates from 1507. This brings together, in one building, a section of tower dating back to the early 16th century and a 19th-century reconstruction.

The Evangelical Church of the Redeemer was built between 1960 and 1962. Mauerkirchen’s Church of the Holy Spirit, meanwhile, is known for its rich stucco decoration and has a 3D tour. As well as architectural history, you can explore the churches in different ways: through their dates and reconstruction, or through the stucco decoration and the tour.

Historical traces in the town

The night watchman’s house dates from the 16th century and once formed part of the Mattig Valley’s defensive system. A night watchman lived there, with a view over the entire market town, and could raise the alarm immediately in the event of a fire. The focus is therefore not only on the age of the house, but also on its former role in protecting the market town.

Remains of the circular wall can be seen along Schlossgasse. The bronze statue of Emperor Joseph stands in Kaiser-Joseph-Park, right next to the church; citizens of Mauerkirchen erected it towards the end of the 19th century. Another memorial site is Maria Hafner Park, which commemorates the American discharge camp that operated in and around Mauerkirchen. The wall remains, the statue and the park each highlight a different aspect of the town’s history.

Outdoor pool and Mattigtal Motor Skills Trail

Mauerkirchen Outdoor Pool has a refurbished pool complex and a new children’s pool. Facilities also include a children’s playground and a beach volleyball court. The seasonal opening hours are from 09:00 to 20:00, from early May to early September; check the hours before your visit.

The Mattigtal Motor Skills Trail offers another option: a route of around five kilometres connecting Helpfau-Uttendorf, Mauerkirchen and Burgkirchen. The pool and the route involve different planning considerations: for the pool, the season and opening hours matter; for the trail, it is the approximate distance and the connection between the three municipalities. Depending on what you have in mind, you can choose between a visit to the outdoor pool and a route linking several towns.

For the broader travel overview: Braunau am Inn.