Attractions & Landmarks In Freistadt
In Upper Austria, close to the Czech Republic, is the charming and historically significant town of Freistadt. Two spectacular gates, a moat, and a wall with thirteen towers are among the remarkably well-preserved medieval fortifications of the city. Freistadt boasts a vibrant cultural history with several museums, churches, and ancient structures that gracefully showcase its rich past and beloved traditions.
Easily recognizable among Freistadt’s features is the Linz Gate, or Linzertor. The old town is entered from the western side. Built around the fourteenth century, the gate has, among other architectural characteristics, a Gothic arch, a baroque façade, and a clock tower. Within the gate is also a small museum displaying the history and fortifications of the town. Climbing the tower allows one to have a wide-angle perspective of the town and the stunning surroundings.
An additional noteworthy attraction in Freistadt is the Mühlviertel Castle Museum, sometimes known as the Muehlviertler Schlossmuseum. Its home is the town’s historic castle. The castle was a defensive stronghold and administrative hub constructed in the fourteenth century. The castle is now a museum exhibiting the rich history, culture, and creative productions of the Mühlviertel area. Northern Upper Austria is included in this region. Collections held by the museum include modern art, folk art and crafts, medieval armory, and baroque galleries. The institution arranges temporary exhibitions and cultural activities as well.
On the eastern side of the town is the Böhmertor, also known as the Bohemian Gate. Constructed in the fourteenth century, the gate has a Gothic arch, a Renaissance façade, and a lavishly adorned coat of arms. Harmonious blending of the architectural styles is achieved. The name of the gate came from the frequent passage of Bohemian traders through it. The gate also remembers those who died under the Nazi regime. It was the site of a 1945 mass execution.
Two historic buildings known jointly as the Pfefferbüchsel and Dechanthof, or the Pepper Tower and the Deanery, are located next to one another on the Dechanthofplatz, also known as the Deanery Square. The cylindrical Pepper Tower was a prison as well as a watchtower when it was constructed in the thirteenth century. The tower’s name was derived from a legend that said prisoners were served just water and pepper for supper. The parish dean was supposed to live in the magnificent baroque building known as the Deanery when it was constructed in the eighteenth century. There’s a kindergarten and a library inside the building as well.
For those seeking outdoor activities, think about visiting the Thurytal, sometimes called the Thury Valley. A park and nature reserve are part of this area, which stretches along the Thury River. The park offers swimming, hiking, fishing, and bicycling among other activities. Moreover, there is a possibility to observe several bird species, deer, and rabbits.Among the park’s historical and cultural sites are Thury Castle, Thury Chapel, and Thury Mill; the park also has breathtaking natural surrounds.
This charming town offers a wealth of things to do and sights to see. To view are the Gothic Church of Our Lady, the Baroque Church of St. Catherine, the Old Town Hall, and the Main Square. In addition, you could like a variety of local specialties including the exquisite Mühlviertel cheese, the famous Freistädter beer, and the tempting Linzer dessert. Small town Freistadt expertly blends history, culture, and the natural world to provide visitors an incredibly special and unforgettable experience.
City fortifications, defense towers and town houses
The mediaeval old town of Freistadt has admirably kept its city walls and defense towers. There are most of the important landmarks in the city.As of June 22, 2014, Freistadt has 163 listed structures; the most of them were situated in the historic district.
Freistadt is well known to be an example of a planned city. The principal core of the city and the metropolitan area is the large, rectangular main plaza.The thoroughfares follow the axes and are somewhat long.The parish church tower was built at the highest point in the city, at the meeting point of two major thoroughfares, Pfarrgasse and Böhmergasse.The church, Freyung (the eastern choir of the church), and town hall (now the district court) could have been the closest places in Austria.The Gothic and Renaissance structures from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries that make up the historic district of the city walls are examples of late medieval architecture. There are roughly 150 houses in the neighborhood together with alleys and squares.Facades of buildings were extensively renovated throughout the Baroque era.
Six of the original eight defense towers have remained; fire destroyed the other two.The towers Linzertor and Böhmertor, which are the oldest examples of this kind, were built when the city was first founded.After the city wall was constructed between 1363 and 1396, the Scheiblingturm and the Dechanthofturm were erected in 1444 to finish the fortifications.The structure gained its contemporary look between 1485 and 1500, when master stonemason Mathes Klayndl built several fortification towers.As such, the city has been fortified with an outer wall, a kennel, an inner wall with a parapet walkway, and an outside wall around the city moat.The accessible portion of the once-public moat, now a park, is dotted with walkways.Unlike the three that were there during the Middle Ages, there are now six entrance points into the city.
Churches
Katharinenmünster is the name of the primary Catholic parish church in the town. Being the sole basilica in Austria with five aisles, it is special.It is mentioned for the first time in 1288. The church was transformed into a five aisled basilica during the Gothic era in the fourteenth and fifteenth century.The structure has Baroque architectural restoration in the seventeenth century. Mostly, the Gothic style reappeared about 1967.The 67-meter-tall baroque church tower, the tallest structure in the area, was built in 1737 and is clearly visible from a distance.The parish church is dedicated to Saint Catherine, the patron saint of Freistadt.
Situated outside of the city walls, the Böhmertor is in front of the 1345-founded Catholic Liebfrauenkirche.Following Hussite activity’s 1422 fire destruction of the church, Gothic architecture was used to rebuild it.As the church has remained in its original form since the fourteenth century, it is considered a prime example of Gothic architecture.This church’s prominent feature is the superb example of a late Gothic funeral lamp, a stone pillar from 1484 that houses the permanent light.The whole city lacks another work of art like it.Conventional services are not being held at this church.
The Church of St. John is a little Romanesque church built in the twelfth century and located on the southern border of the village. The owner of it is the municipality.This church is unique among others in the area in terms of architectural design.The church was defiled in 1789; renowned industrialist Kaspar Schwarz renovated and rededicated it in 1857.About 500 meters south of the church was the Freistadt cemetery, where the chapel used as a mortuary until 2004.Product has not been used since 2004.
There is the Catholic Church of Saint Peter in the current Waldburg municipality. The Freistadt parish now administers this church, which was built before the town was founded.The church is located to the west, around 150 meters above Freistadt, and may be reached the Way of the Cross.The Hussite conflicts were followed by the construction of the three-aisled hall church of St. Peter, which is Gothic in style, in 1467. Three baroque altars were erected in the cathedral throughout the seventeenth century.Situated in the 1370 Gothic-style Calvary Chapel of the church is the twelfth station of the Cross.
Museums and Galleries
With a collection of some 21,000 items, mostly historical artifacts and regional folklore, the Mühlviertel Castle Museum of the Habsburg Castle is the sole museum in Freistadt.Within the collection is a unique selection of Sandl’s reverse glass paintings.Subjects covered at the museum located in the keep, or castle tower, include popular piety, weighing and measuring, superstition, and religion.On the ninth level, which also has access to a 40-meter-tall outdoor gallery with expansive views of the nearby hills and city, are the old watchman’s quarters.
The second Thuryhammer in the Thury Valley is around 140 years old and had restorations towards the end of the 20th century. It functions currently as an outdoor museum connected to shows.The Thuryhammers that are still living today are a mess.The Feldaist region north of the city has long been a hub for commercial and technological activities, especially in the iron sector. An endeavor from the Middle Ages, it continued until 1870.
In the city there are four galleries, the largest of which is the “Brauhausgalerie” located within the brewery.
A 14 kilometer globe road links the town to Sandl.Shown as sphere-shaped stones are the planets.
Cultural and Event Centers
The Salzhof was the cultural heart of the city and the site of many cultural events after renovations in 2003.Local stage plays, concerts, ballroom dances, exhibits and theatrical events are held at this location.At 311 square metres, the Kulturhof is the biggest room in the building and can hold up to 400 people.Daily events at The Salzhof are on average one.
A range of cultural events are presented by the local theater at the Freistadt cinema.Sunnseitn, Sommerrhythmen, Frischling and the Heimatfilmfestival rank among the most important events.Every year the Sunnseitn music festival presents authentic folk music from all around the world. There are many Freistadt dancing floors for this late July event.Summerrhythmen presents a wide variety of musical genres performed by Austrian and foreign bands, ranging from traditional folk music to innovative rhythms.Two times since 1995, the Freistadt Freshmen have provided up-and-coming cabaret singers a stage on which to display their talents to the public.
The Freistadt Cinema in Salzgasse centre is a three-hall facility that is a part of the prestigious Europa Cinemas network.
Held every year over five days, the Der Neue Heimatfilm Festival is also known as the Heimatfilmfestival. It has been held in Freistadt around the end of August annually since 1988.The main prize of the festival is a 2500 euro “Film Prize of the City of Freistadt.”
The 2003-built exhibition hall often hosts balls, trade exhibitions, concerts, and exhibits.It will be the focal point of the January rally.All wood, the 3,173 square meter elliptical hall can accommodate up to 6,000 people standing or 3,000 people seated.
