A precise link to Schalchen’s local history is St. Jakob Parish Church: its high altar dates from 1677. Other topics range from the Sculpture Trail and the history of the scythe forges to a peace memorial and traditions about the Kindsbründl spring. Before your trip, you can consider whether art, craftsmanship, remembrance or pilgrimage traditions are of particular interest to you.
Church Art and Historical Connections
A group of sculptures depicting Saint Barbara by sculptor Thomas Schwanthaler is located in the south side chapel of St. Jakob Parish Church. It comes from the former Barbara Church, which was demolished around 1850. Alongside the high altar, which dates from 1677, the group offers a different historical perspective: its story leads back to an earlier church building. If you are interested in religious art, you will find two distinct connections to local history here.
Sculpture Trail along the Brunnbach
The Sculpture Trail begins in the town centre by the primary school. The first sculpture, “Life”, stands beside the main road. Further along, the trail crosses the divided Brunnbach stream via two small footbridges and follows the stream past the tennis courts. The route links a specific starting point with a sculpture and the course of the stream. Unlike the art in the parish church, the route itself is also part of the experience; the locations described give you a clear sense of direction for exploring Schalchen this way.
Scythe Forges and Local History Museum
The Schalchen Local History Museum presents the history of the scythe forges and is located in the former Lukas-Lederer smallholding. A scythe worker once lived in the building. This offers another way to explore local history, through craftsmanship and the place where people lived: the history of the scythe forges is linked with the home’s former resident. If you are more interested in the history of work than in church art, the museum is a distinct focus.
Remembrance at Peace Square
Peace Square is a memorial site in the area of the Schalchen Brunnbach stream on KaltenbrunnerstraĂźe. It is dedicated to remembering the victims of the two world wars and also provides a place to rest, spend time and reflect. Its focus therefore differs from the art in the parish church and the history of work at the museum: remembrance and reflection are central here.
KindsbrĂĽndl and Pilgrimage Traditions
The Kindsbründl spring continues to flow in the heart of the Kobernaußerwald forest. According to tradition, childless women made pilgrimages there in the hope of having children. Another story tells how an old woman gave water from the spring and medicinal herbs to women making the pilgrimage to Kindsbründl; the herbs’ ingredients are not known. This tradition links the spring to a specific request and a custom passed down over time, rather than making a general statement about visitors today.
The Innviertel Way of St. James is also associated with a pilgrimage tradition: it continues the pilgrimage route from Krumau (Czechia) to Passau and connects Passau with Salzburg. The route describes a connection between cities, while the KindsbrĂĽndl story centres on a single spring and the custom associated with it. Together, they present two distinct perspectives on pilgrimage routes and religious traditions.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Georgen Am Fillmannsbach, Sankt Pantaleon, RoĂźbach, Friedburg, Eggelsberg, Neukirchen An Der Enknach, Weng im Innkreis, Munderfing
For the wider travel overview: Braunau Am Inn.
