Murau

Murau is a city located in western Styria, an Austrian federal state. With a population of 3,629, Murau is the administrative center of the Murau district. Murau features a fascinating medieval town center, a strong brewing legacy and a booming tourist business.

The Murau reference comes from a deed from 1250, where the prestigious Liechtenstein family owned the Styrian domains in the Mur valley and recognized Murau as an important center. The highly regarded Minnesinger Ulrich von Liechtenstein built a fortress in Murau only for the Bohemian monarch Ottokar II to later burn it down. Murau was fortified later, after being granted city rights in 1298. Until the end of the 16th century, Murau was owned by the Liechtensteins; it was later transferred to the House of Schwarzenberg, which still owns Murau Castle today. From 1480 to 1490, Murau was under the command of the Hungarian army commanded by King Matthias Corvino. Josef Fritzl, the Austrian father guilty of horrific atrocities against his own daughter, was sentenced to life in prison in Murau in 2009.

Situated in the stunning Mur river valley, Murau is in enchanting Upper Styria and flanked by the magnificent Lower Tauern mountain range and the beautiful Gurktal Alps. Together with the previously separate municipalities of Laßnitz bei Murau, Stolzalpe and Triebendorf, which were combined in 2015, the cadastral communities of Laßnitz-Lambrecht, Murau proper and Sankt Egidi comprise the municipal territory. Murau covers 76.66 km (29.60 sq mi) at a height of 829 m (2,420 ft).

Especially with the presence of the Kreischberg ski resort, Murau’s economy depends mainly on tourism. When this popular venue hosted the FIS Snowboard and Freestyle Ski World Championships in 2015, it attracted everyone’s attention. Murau has a long brewing history that is well documented since the 15th century. The neighborhood brewery, Murauer Bier, produces a lot of beer and sponsors several sporting and cultural activities here for free.

Murau’s well-preserved ancient houses, monuments and museums clearly show the abundance of its cultural legacy. Among the area’s many striking features are Murau Castle, a spectacular Renaissance-style castle with chapel and museum. Another notable attraction is the parish church of São Mateus, a beautiful Gothic church with a unique crossing tower. The Wood Museum, which features an intriguing exhibition on the rich history and craftsmanship of wood processing in the region, is also open to visits. The Murau Railway Museum also offers the opportunity to explore the fascinating technology and past of the Mur Valley Narrow Railway. There are several celebrations and activities held in Murau throughout the year. These include the Murau International Music Festival, the Murau Medieval Festival and the Murau Beer Festival.