At Parz Country Castle, the Renaissance exterior frescoes are impressive in their own right: they are about 90 metres long and more than 10 metres high. They form the largest original surviving cycle of Renaissance exterior frescoes north of the Alps. The frescoes on the garden facade date from around 1580 and are considered a major work of Austrian and South German Renaissance art. The Renaissance garden is also laid out in clear geometric forms: terraces divide the grounds, and octagonal flowerbeds, edged with box hedges, are planted with a variety of flowers and plants. The Schloss Parz Gallery regularly hosts exhibitions featuring works by local and international artists.
Rolling Hills and Border History
The district of Grieskirchen lies between the foothills of the Sauwald and Hausruck forests, and between Salletwald and the western edge of the Welser Heide. Between the Sauwald and Hausruck stretches a fertile, undulating landscape of rolling hills and wooded summits. The blossoms of the many fruit trees in spring are among the Landl’s defining features. The district’s highest point is in the Hausruck, at 750 metres.
The region’s history also explains why castles and fortresses play a special role here. Until the acquisition of the Innviertel in 1779, what is now the district of Grieskirchen was a border region; this border location is connected with the district’s particularly large number of castles and fortresses. The first documented mention of the fortifications at Tollet Castle dates from 1170. The Kulturama Museum at Tollet Castle primarily presents changing exhibitions on a range of topics.
Castle Trails and Scenic Routes
Several trails connect Grieskirchen with the surrounding castles, each with its own length and route. The Tollet Castle Trail leads from the town centre to Tollet Castle and back: the 7-kilometre route takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Parz Castle Trail is 4.4 kilometres long and also leads from the town centre to its castle destination and back. At 10.2 kilometres, the Two-Castle Circular Trail is longer; it runs from the centre along the Trattnach to Tollet Castle, then on to Parz Country Castle and the Schloss Parz Gallery, before returning to the centre. Check the latest route information before setting off, as route details may change.
For a different perspective, take the 3-kilometre St. Georgen Fruit Tree Avenue from Grieskirchen to St. Georgen bei Grieskirchen. It is suitable for walks; from the ridge, you can enjoy views of the Trattnach valley and Tollet Castle. Cyclists can take the Trattnachtal Cycle Route R17, which passes through Grieskirchen on its way to Eferding, where it connects to the Danube Cycle Path. The municipal forest at Zehetholz has a Fit Trail with 12 stations. The forest nature trail in Kickendorf complements the forest experience with 12 information boards on trees and woodland.
Town History, Museums and Crafts
The recorded history of the parish church in the town of Grieskirchen dates back to 1075, the year of its earliest documented mention. The tomb monument of Sigmund von Polheim and his wife Potentiana in the church is considered a rare work of 16th-century art history. The Karbrunnen fountain is another precisely dated piece of the town’s history. Gundaker von Polheim had it built in 1610; its octagonal basin holds 156 hectolitres of water.
Beyond Grieskirchen, there are more castle and museum stories to discover. Aistersheim Water Castle is completely surrounded by water; two solid wooden bridges lead to its two large entrance gates. The former Peuerbach Peasants’ War Museum no longer exists; the castle museum was completely redesigned in 2023. Since 2023, it has continued to present the exhibition “KOSMOS. New Worlds – Georg von Peuerbach and His Legacy.” The Peuerbach Shoemaking and Customs Museum is dedicated to the traditional craft of shoemaking.
Brewing Culture and Practical Information
Grieskirchner Brewery offers tours that provide insights into the daily work of brewing and the production process, followed by tastings of various speciality beers. Braufux offers a different setting for an excursion with beer tasting and a snack: advance booking by phone is required. Check current dates and operating details in advance.
For travel planning, Grieskirchen-Gallspach railway station is about 1 kilometre from the town of Grieskirchen. You can choose where to stay based on your interests, whether that means Renaissance frescoes and castle trails, scenic routes, or the region’s historical and craft experiences.
Discover more destinations: Bad Schallerbach, Schlüßlberg, Gallspach, Sankt Agatha, Haag Am Hausruck, Grieskirchen, Wallern An Der Trattnach, Wendling, Neukirchen Am Walde, Geboltskirchen, Kematen Am Innbach, Rottenbach, Kallham, Pötting, Meggenhofen, Aistersheim, Gaspoltshofen, Pram, Heiligenberg, Sölden An Der Straß, Eschenau Im Hausruckkreis, Hofkirchen An Der Trattnach, Michaelnbach, Natternbach, Neumarkt Im Hausruckkreis, Peuerbach, Pollham, Sankt Georgen Bei Grieskirchen, Sankt Thomas bei Waizenkirchen, Steegen, Taufkirchen an der Trattnach, Tollet, Waizenkirchen, Weibern.
For the regional travel overview: Upper Austria.
