Traunstein combines distinctive buildings around the town square with stories about salt and printing. This gives your stay a cultural focus, complemented by four cross-country ski trails of varying lengths and elevation profiles, as well as scenic themed cycling routes leading to Traunstein. You can plan your visit around the town’s history, a seasonal activity, or both.
Town Square and Architecture
Jacklturm, Lindlbrunnen and St. Oswald Parish Church are located on the town square. The square is considered the vibrant heart of Traunstein; Jacklturm and the parish church are two of its three distinctive landmarks. Together, the tower, fountain and church give the square a distinctive architectural profile and provide a clear focus for a culture-oriented stay.
For more architectural details, visit the villa district at Wochinger Spitz: Art Nouveau façades can be seen particularly on Leonrodstraße, Hausenstraße and St.-Oswald-Straße. One building is also notable for its design: the house at Bahnhofstraße 16 is based on an award-winning design by architects and master builders Josef and Sebastian Polz.
The chapels offer different points of interest. Lourdes Chapel is a place for quiet reflection amid the bustle of the town. Salinen Chapel is considered the largest chapel in Germany. These religious sites add further dimensions to the town’s history alongside the buildings on the town square and the façades in the villa district.
Salt, Printing and Urban Culture
Salinenpark opened in 2019 to mark the 400th anniversary of Traunstein as a saltworks town. Exhibits and information panels in the park explore the history of the brine pipeline from Bad Reichenhall to Traunstein. The park is therefore a destination in its own right for anyone interested in the history of salt.
The printing museum is part of the Traunsteiner Tagblatt, which has been in existence since 1855, and is dedicated to the history of printing from Gutenberg to the present day. It is a private museum. The centrepiece of the permanent exhibition is the “Senefelder Stangenpresse,” also known as the “Galgenpresse,” made in 1851; printing was done from stone using this press. Group visits are possible by prior arrangement.
In 1977, a cultural centre opened in a former bread-roll crumb factory in the town park. Today, it houses the town library, adult education centre facilities, and a hall for concerts and exhibitions. The building’s history and its current uses sit side by side: a former factory and facilities for culture and education.
A culinary touch is also part of the brewery museum experience: all participants receive a beer tasting and a pretzel at the MaximilianstĂĽberl. Check current booking and operating details in advance.
Activities and Traditions
The four cross-country ski trails within Traunstein’s city limits vary in length and elevation profile. These features offer practical points of comparison for planning winter activities; snow and trail conditions vary with the season. Check conditions before planning around a particular trail. Scenic themed cycling routes lead to Traunstein.
Another cultural tradition is the Traunstein Sword Dance, associated with the Georgiritt procession. It dates back to the 16th century and symbolises the victory of spring over winter. The Lindl Quiz gives children aged six and over the chance to explore Traunstein independently with their parents. If you would like to include the quiz in your plans, check with the Tourist Information office for current availability.
The Wider Region: Traunstein District
Traunstein District is home to Lake Chiemsee and Lake Waginger See, as well as more than 170 alpine pastures and peaks reaching elevations of up to 2,000 metres in the Chiemgau Alps. The Seeoner Seen lakes are listed there as a nature reserve, and Lake Waginger See and Lake Tachinger See as a protected landscape. Officially designated protected areas in the district help preserve biodiversity, safeguard rare habitats and protect the natural and cultural landscape.
Discover more destinations: Bergen, Unterwössen, Petting, Übersee, Siegsdorf, Staudach-Egerndach, Traunreut, Tittmoning
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