Steyregg can be explored through different interests: urban history and architecture on the one hand, and river and cultural landscapes on the other. The castle, parish church and town wall provide tangible points of reference for the historical perspective; the Danube wetlands, swimming lake and Reichenbach Valley offer a different focus.
Urban history and architecture
Steyregg Castle stands directly above the town centre. Around 1160, the chronicler Bernardus Noricus described it as an “old castle – castrum vechium”. Around 1280, Steyregg was founded and laid out with a town square and town wall. The early description of the castle and the later date of the town’s foundation thus mark different historical points of reference. Between 2002 and 2004, the castle was expanded into an event and cultural centre. This includes a Knights’ Hall and a castle chapel of historical and cultural significance. If you are planning to attend a specific event, check the dates in advance.
Steyregg Parish Church was built around 1300 and dedicated to Saint Stephen. Its building history spans several periods: it was initially Romanesque, then extended in the Gothic style. After a fire around 1730, the Jesuits renovated the church in the Baroque style. The remarkable frescoes dating from around 1320 complement the Baroque interior. The frescoes therefore come from a much earlier period than the later Baroque renovation. Anyone interested in architecture will find not just one style here, but a sequence of changes spanning several centuries.
The Roman rest area on the Danube Cycle Path is another historical highlight. A fair-faced concrete column commemorates a Roman milestone along the Limes; there is also a Roman head created by Miguel Horn. Information panels cover the host municipality, the Danube Cycle Path and the Romans. The site also includes a five-metre-long rest bench made of concrete and stone.
Danube, trails and landscape
The “Danube Wetlands on the Danube Trail” circular route is seven kilometres long, flat and easy to walk. It follows the Danube through wetlands that resemble primeval forest. The starting point is the car park by the tennis courts in Steyregg, next to the medieval town wall. The clearly stated length and flat route make it easier to assess this walk; check local conditions before setting off.
The circular route at Steyregg swimming lake features two fitness stations and views of the lake and town. The two options offer different highlights: the Danube wetlands route focuses on the trail and landscape, while the swimming lake route features the stations and views. You can choose according to whether you prefer a seven-kilometre walk or a circular route with fitness stations.
The Reichenbach Valley has a different kind of landscape: small farms, fields, meadows and forests form a cultural landscape. A relatively natural path and a hiking trail run along the stream. The path in the Reichenbach Valley starts in the monastic village of Pulgarn and follows the stream to its source area in the municipality of Engerwitzdorf.
The Plesching Oyster Bank is a geological attraction and natural monument above the village of Plesching. It lies about one kilometre from the junction with the B 125. Numerous fossilised oyster shells can be found in a heavily cemented sandstone bed. They come from the former shoreline of a Tertiary sea that existed around 25 million years ago. Steyregg’s historic buildings thus stand alongside a landscape history whose timescale reaches far beyond the town’s own history.
Cycling and practical information
There is a signposted mountain bike trail on Pfenningberg, which may be used in compliance with the road traffic regulations and mountain biking rules. The Pfenningberg trails are open to private individuals and local clubs all year round, free of charge, provided they follow the Fair Play rules. Check current conditions before your ride and follow the rules in force.
A free ÖAMTC self-service bicycle repair station is available in the car park by the tennis courts. It includes a hanging device, an air pump and hand tools for fixing minor bicycle faults yourself. As the availability of municipal services can change, it is best to check the station in person when planning your visit.
The traditional Steyregg town festival takes place every three years. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the date and programme of the next edition.
Discover more destinations: Sonnberg Im Mühlkreis, Dürnberg, Altenberg Bei Linz, Feldkirchen An Der Donau, Schenkenfelden, Alberndorf In Der Riedmark, Lichtenberg, Mursberg.
Return to the regional travel overview: Urfahr-Umgebung.
