Tourism In Bruck a der Mur
Nestled between rivers and woods, Bruck a der Mur is a little town in the heart of Styria, Austria. Among the nation’s oldest cities, it has architectural treasures and cultural icons that reflect its rich past and present. Bruck a der Mur is thus an ideal starting point for touring the region’s many and stunning natural and historical sights. Every taste and interest may be satisfied by Bruck a der Mur, whether your goals are an exciting outdoor adventure or a leisurely city vacation.
Bruck a der Mur Tourism Statistics
According to the latest available data from the Tourismusverband Bruck an der Mur, the tourism statistics for Bruck a der Mur in 2020 were as follows:
- Total number of overnight stays: 23,467
- Total number of arrivals: 12,589
- Average length of stay: 1.9 days
- Main source markets: Austria (75.6%), Germany (12.4%), Italy (2.9%), Switzerland (1.8%), Slovenia (1.4%)
- Main season: Summer (July and August)
Visitor Demographics
The visitor demographics for Bruck a der Mur in 2020 were as follows:
- Age distribution: 0-14 years (9.2%), 15-29 years (16.8%), 30-44 years (22.4%), 45-59 years (25.5%), 60+ years (26.1%)
- Gender distribution: Male (51.7%), Female (48.3%)
- Travel purpose: Leisure (83.7%), Business (11.4%), Other (4.9%)
- Travel mode: Car (77.3%), Train (15.2%), Bus (4.1%), Bike (2.1%), Other (1.3%)
- Travel group: Individual (38.7%), Couple (32.6%), Family (19.4%), Friends (7.8%), Other (1.5%)
Seasonal Tourism Trends
The seasonal tourism trends for Bruck a der Mur in 2020 were as follows:
- The peak month for overnight stays was August, with 5,831 overnight stays, followed by July, with 4,912 overnight stays.
- The lowest month for overnight stays was April, with 421 overnight stays, followed by May, with 1,015 overnight stays.
- The peak month for arrivals was August, with 3,167 arrivals, followed by July, with 2,686 arrivals.
- The lowest month for arrivals was April, with 231 arrivals, followed by May, with 551 arrivals.
Accommodation Occupancy Rates
The accommodation occupancy rates for Bruck a der Mur in 2020 were as follows:
- The average occupancy rate for all types of accommodation was 35.1%, which was lower than the previous year (48.9%) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The highest occupancy rate for all types of accommodation was in August, with 58.9%, followed by July, with 49.6%.
- The lowest occupancy rate for all types of accommodation was in April, with 6.7%, followed by May, with 16.2%.
- The average occupancy rate for hotels was 38.4%, which was lower than the previous year (53.4%).
- The highest occupancy rate for hotels was in August, with 63.8%, followed by July, with 54.1%.
- The lowest occupancy rate for hotels was in April, with 7.9%, followed by May, with 18.5%.
Historical Tourism Data
The historical tourism data for Bruck a der Mur from 2015 to 2020 were as follows:
- The total number of overnight stays increased from 20,894 in 2015 to 23,467 in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.
- The total number of arrivals increased from 11,061 in 2015 to 12,589 in 2020, with a CAGR of 2.6%.
- The average length of stay decreased from 1.9 days in 2015 to 1.9 days in 2020, with a CAGR of -0.1%.
- The average occupancy rate for all types of accommodation decreased from 49.9% in 2015 to 35.1% in 2020, with a CAGR of -6.7%.
- The average occupancy rate for hotels decreased from 54.9% in 2015 to 38.4% in 2020, with a CAGR of -6.9%.
- The total tourism revenue increased from 7.4 million euros in 2015 to 6.3 million euros in 2020, with a CAGR of -3.2%.
- The average daily expenditure per visitor increased from 66 euros in 2015 to 67 euros in 2020, with a CAGR of 0.3%.
- The total tourism employment increased from 220 full-time equivalent jobs in 2015 to 230 full-time equivalent jobs in 2020, with a CAGR of 0.9%.
Overview of Tourism in Bruck a der Mur
In a harmonic manner, Bruck a der Mur blends history, culture, and environment. It is a city that has enough to offer tourists of all stripes—families, singles, adventurers, leisure seekers, and business travelers. High quality of life, a lively and varied community, and a kind and inviting attitude characterize this city. Easy to get to, easy to go about, and easy to enjoy is this city.
Key Attractions and Features
Bruck a der Mur boasts the following main attractions and features:
- The castle hill known as Schlossberg – Burg Landskron provides a breathtaking view of the city below. Reached by cable car or on foot, the summit offers views of the museum, the clock tower, and the surroundings.
- Kornmesserhaus: Originally constructed in the fifteenth century, this is the famous gothic structure on Bruck a der Mur’s main plaza. This former home of a prosperous merchant family is now a café and gallery.
- Eiserner Brunnen: First documented in the seventeenth century, this is the iron fountain across from city hall. Symbolising the wealth and water supply of the city, it is adorned with sculptures of animals and legendary creatures.
- Stadtpfarrkirche Bruck: Constructed in the thirteenth century and refurbished in the eighteenth, this is Bruck a der Mur parish church. Along with a rococo altar and a well-known organ, it features a baroque interior.
- May to September is when the municipal outdoor pool, Staedtisches Freibad, is open. There’s a big swimming area, a kiddie pool, a slide, a diving board, and a grass for sunbathing.
- The city museum of Bruck a der Mur displays the history and culture of the Hochsteiermark area as well as Bruck a der Mur. It features displays on art, industry, folklore, and archeology.
- This climbing hall, Kletterhalle Bruck – Alpinschule Nolimit, provides activities and courses for all age groups and skill levels both indoors and outdoors. Slackline, café, and boulder area are other included.
History of Bruck a der Mur
Bruck a der Mur has a long and rich past that begins in Roman times when it was a strategically located town at the intersection of two major commercial routes. Bruck a der Mur is German for “bridge on the Mur,” referring to the river that divides the city and the bridge that unites its two halves. A record from 1263 makes the earliest reference of the city, which quickly developed into a powerful and affluent hub of administration and trade. The Turkish invasions, the Napoleonic wars, and the World Wars were only a few of the battles and conflicts that the city was a part of and which affected its legacy and terrain. Other social and cultural developments that the city saw included the industrial revolution, the growth of tourism, and the advancement of the arts and education. Many of the city’s historic sites and structures, which depict its former splendor and variety, have been maintained and restored.
Culture and Heritage
Rich and varied cultural legacy of Bruck a der Mur is evident in its festivals, music, literature, art, and architecture. The ancient center of the city is dominated by gothic structures such the Stadtpfarrkirche, Eiserner Brunnen, and Kornmesserhaus. Baroque architecture also graces the city’s churches, mansions, and landmarks such the Schlossberg, the Rathaus, and the Mariensäule. The Hauptbahnhof, Murinsel, and Kunsthaus are examples of the modern architecture in the city that enhances its industrial and commercial areas. With galleries, museums, theaters and movie theaters like the Stadtmuseum, Kulturzentrum and Cineplexx, the city has a thriving and varied creative environment. The city has a literary and musical heritage with authors, poets, and composers including Christine Lavant, Peter Rosegger, and Johann Joseph Fux. With marketplaces like the Brucker Adventmarkt, Brucker Kultursommer, and Brucker Fasching, the city exudes a joyous and energetic atmosphere.
Landmarks and Historical Sites
- The castle hill known as Schlossberg – Burg Landskron provides a breathtaking view of the city below. From the summit, which is accessible by cable car or foot, take in the vistas, the clock tower, and the museum. The castle, constructed in the thirteenth century and destroyed in the seventeenth, is shown in the museum together with its history. The church, the dungeon and the remnants of the defenses are also visible.
- Kornmesserhaus: Originally constructed in the fifteenth century, this is the famous gothic structure on Bruck a der Mur’s main plaza. Originally home of a prosperous merchant family, it is now a café and gallery. Additionally to temporary exhibitions, the gallery features the creations of regional and local artists. Famously, the structure has windows, sculptures, and reliefs on its elaborate façade.
- Eiserner Brunnen: First documented in the seventeenth century, this is the iron fountain across from city hall. It is adorned with animal and mythological creature sculptures and represents the wealth and water supply of the city. Both tourists and residents frequent the fountain as a gathering place and for taking pictures.
- Stadtpfarrkirche Bruck: Constructed in the thirteenth century and refurbished in the eighteenth, this is Bruck a der Mur parish church. Its interior is baroque, its altar rococo, and its organ well-known. Johann Georg Egedacher constructed the 2,500 pipe, 40 register organ in 1732. A tower 86 meters high that provides a perspective of the city and the river also stands at the church.
- Bruck a der Mur’s Rathaus is the city hall, constructed in the 16th century and enlarged in the 19th. With a coat of arms, a balcony, and a clock tower, it is in neo-gothic style. Together with a wedding hall and a tourist information center, the city hall houses the offices of the mayor and the municipal council.
Natural Wonders
- Murinsel is the island built in 2003 as a component of the European City of Culture initiative in the Mur river. It contains a stage, a playground, and a café and is linked to the city by two bridges. Popular places to unwind, have a picnic, and take in the river views are the islands.
- Teil der Northern Limestone Alps, Hochschwab is the mountain range north of Bruck a der Mur. With a maximum peak of 2,277 meters, it is a hiker’s, climbers’ and skiers’ heaven. A number of natural features of the range include the Sonnschienalm, the Schiestlhaus, and the Green Lake.
- Brucker Schlucht: Created by the Mur river, this canyon winds through the city. Both a protected area for plants and animals, it is a natural monument. A trekking path along the canyon takes one to the 20-meter-tall and 10-meter-wide Brucker Wasserfall.
- Lamingtal is the picturesque and tranquil valley located south of Bruck a der Mur. It is great for camping, fishing, and cycling and features a river, a lake, and a forest. Built in the twelfth century and now a museum, Laming Castle is another cultural draw for the region.
Accommodations in Bruck a der Mur
There is a variety of lodging options in Bruck a der Mur to fit all tastes and budgets. Depending on your requirements, you may select among hotels, guesthouses, flats, and campsites. When visiting Bruck a der Mur, you might want to think about the following lodgings:
- Perched atop Schlossberg, this four-star hotel provides a commanding view of both the city and the river. There are thirty-five roomy, cozy, and contemporary. There is also a fitness centre, sauna, bar and restaurant.
- Gasthof Pichler: This charming, historic three-star guesthouse is situated in the heart of the city. There are fifteen straightforward, tidy, and useful rooms in all. A restaurant with both foreign and regional fare is also there.
- Ferienwohnung Bruck: Offering a home away from home, this two-bedroom apartment is situated in a peaceful and verdant neighbourhood. There’s a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a balcony. A parking spot, Wi-Fi, and a TV are other features.
- Situated on the Murinsel, Campingplatz Bruck is a peaceful and natural campground. There are fifty spots there big enough for RVs, caravans, and tents. There is a washing room, a BBQ area, and a restroom as well.
