Attractions & Landmarks In Steyr
Steyr is a lovely Austrian municipality that is sometimes overlooked by tourists, despite the number of interesting sites and activities accessible for investigation. The Schloss Lamberg is a lovely castle perched on a hill with a stunning view of the town. The building has undergone several restorations and is now used as a museum. The Bummerlhaus is a well-known building in town. This magnificent Gothic structure is located in the middle plaza.
The Stadtplatz is the town’s major core and holds the weekly farmers’ market. The plaza is graced with attractive antique structures as well as a variety of food outlets and coffee shops. The Christkindlmarkt is a classic Christmas market that takes place every December. The market has a broad assortment of merchants that specialize in locally created goods, food, and beverages.
The Michaelerkirche is a gorgeous and historically significant church in the middle of town. The business has a lovely baroque decor and is highly recommended for a visit. The Steyrer Stadtpark is a nice park located in the town center. This area is great for leisurely stroll or alfresco meals.
The Museum Arbeitswelt is a prestigious institution dedicated to preserving the country’s industrial heritage. The exhibition examines the consequences of industrialisation on Austria and the wider European area. The aforementioned activities and sights are just a sampling of what Steyr has to offer. The area has a major historical heritage and a profusion of areas of interest to meet the amusement demands of its tourists.
Museums In Steyr
Steyr, a town in Upper Austria, boasts numerous cultural and historical attractions, including several museums that showcase its rich heritage and diverse themes. The Stadtmuseum Steyr, located in the historic Grünmarkt square, showcases the town’s history and development from the Middle Ages to the present day, showcasing trade, crafts, industry, religion, art, and culture. The Museum Arbeitswelt, situated in a former factory building, explores social and economic changes in the region and the world, focusing on labor, technology, and democracy. The 1. Österreichisches Weihnachtsmuseum, the first Austrian Christmas museum, showcases the history and traditions of Christmas in Austria and Europe, with a large collection of nativity scenes, ornaments, cards, and toys. The Steyrtalbahn, the oldest museum railway in Austria, runs from Steyr to Grünburg along the scenic Steyr valley, offering a nostalgic and romantic ride through the countryside with views of the river, mountains, and villages.
Stadtmuseum Steyr
The Stadtmuseum Steyr in Steyr, Austria, has been open since 1913 and houses its treasures in Innerberger Stadel and Neutor. The Innerberger Stadel, originally a food storage facility, was renovated for the Upper Austrian State Exhibition 2021. The museum showcases the “Folklore Collection” and “Lamberg Nativity Scenes,” featuring apothecary pots, reverse glass paintings, farm furniture, and works by master steel cutter Michael Blümelhuber. The Neutor houses Karl Steinparz’s ornithological collection and a weapons hall with exhibits on Werndl and the armaments complex. The Upper Austrian State Exhibition 2021 modified the exhibits to tell the “story of Steyr and its people,” presenting exciting, surprising, and contradictory stories from Steyr’s eventful past. The museum offers German and English audio guides, public tours, and two programs for primary schools. An interactive session is provided for children aged 10 to 14, covering museum chores and professional groups needed to put on an exhibition.
Museum Arbeitswelt Steyr
The Museum Arbeitswelt Steyr, located in restored manufacturing facilities along the Steyr River, is a cultural and event center that explores the transformations in living and working conditions due to industrialization. Established in 1987, it has gained global recognition since its establishment as part of the Upper Austrian state exhibition “Work, Man, Machine: The Road to Industrial Society.” The museum offers a variety of exhibitions, projects, and events that address socially significant issues, including democracy, racism, migration, and participation. The “Politics Workshop” has been providing workshops on these topics since 2009. The museum also offers cultural and educational activities, including the remembrance tunnel and the “Forced Labor and Concentration Camp in Steyr” museum, which delves into the history of the Steyr resistance and the community’s response to Nazism from 1938 to 1945.
Stollen der Erinnerung
Stollen der Erinnerung is a permanent exhibition in Steyr, Austria, that showcases the history of forced labor and concentration camps. The exhibition, located in a former air raid shelter, was curated by historian Regina Wonisch and designed by a team of talented curators. The Mauthausen Committee Steyr oversees the exhibition, which was conceived by Karl Ramsmaier and made its debut in 2013. The exhibition, which focused on National Socialism and forced labor in the 1990s, was disrupted by the facility’s unlawful demolition in 1993. In 2003, the Mauthausen Committee initiated a groundbreaking project to present a performance centered on forced labor and National Socialism. The exhibition provides a comprehensive depiction of the years 1938 through 1945, emphasizing the experiences of the forced laborers in Steyr.
Theaters In Steyr
The Altes Stadttheater Steyr, a historic baroque theater, was originally a monastic structure and transformed into a theater in 1796. However, it closed in 1958 due to construction of the Neues Stadttheater in the industrial hall. Resurrected in 1980, it now has 233 seats in the gallery and 30 standing positions. The Steyrer Kripperl, a classic stick puppet theater, is located within the Innerberger Stadel at Grünmarkt 26 in Steyr. The theater has a stage divided into three sections: the lower stage, the main stage, and the back stage. The lower stage features a gallery, a well, a shepherd scene, and a central cradle depicting Christ’s birth. The main stage features intricate mechanical figures and devices, set against Steyr’s historical townhouses and a bridge arch. The space behind the arch transforms dynamically with a changeable background painting, creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of Steyr’s cultural heritage.
Altes Stadttheater Steyr
The Altes Stadttheater Steyr, also known as the Old Town Theatre, is a historic and cultural landmark in Steyr, Upper Austria. Built in 1662 as a monastery and church, it was converted into a theater in 1796 with the support of Prince Lamberg. The theater, located in Grünmarkt square, has a baroque style with a capacity of 272 seats and is situated near the entrance of the Schloss Lamberg park. It hosts a variety of events and performances, including plays, musicals, operas, concerts, and festivals, featuring both local and international artists. The theater also offers a café and bar for refreshments before and after the show. The Altes Stadttheater Steyr is also the venue for the annual Musikfestival Steyr, which showcases different music genres, dance, circus, and street art. The festival attracts thousands of visitors annually and is a highlight of Steyr’s cultural scene. The theater offers a unique opportunity to experience the history and culture of Steyr while enjoying the entertainment and atmosphere of the theater.
Steyrer Kripperl
The Steyrer Kripperl is a traditional rod puppet theater in Steyr, Upper Austria, that has been performing for over 100 years. It is one of the last remaining plays of its kind in the German-speaking world and was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2018. The theater showcases scenes from the biedermeier society, crafts of Steyr, and humorous anecdotes and songs in the local dialect. It is located in the Innerberger Stadel, a historic building near the Schloss Lamberg park. The theater is run by the association Heimatpflege Steyr, which provides information and education on the history and culture of Steyr. The theater has a rich history dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, with performances based on oral traditions, folk tales, and religious and secular themes. Established as a permanent theater in 1919, it has over 200 puppets, a collection of costumes, props, and musical instruments, a library, and an archive of scripts, photos, and documents. The Steyrer Kripperl is a unique cultural treasure that preserves and promotes Steyr’s heritage and identity, providing joy and amusement for locals and visitors, as well as knowledge and inspiration for researchers and educators.
Churches and Cathedrals In Steyr
Steyr is a town known for its diverse religious heritage, including churches and cathedrals that showcase various architectural styles. The Steyr Parish Church, also known as the Bummerlhaus, is an impressive and oldest building, built in the 15th century in the Gothic style. The church features a 68-meter-high tower, a richly ornamented altar, a pulpit, and a choir. The Lamberg Castle Chapel, a Renaissance chapel built in the 16th century, is part of the Lamberg Castle and hosts concerts and events.
The Christkindl Basilica, a pilgrimage church in the suburb of Christkindl, is famous for its Christmas crib, one of the largest and oldest in the world. Built in the 18th century in the Baroque style, it features a dome with a lantern and a facade with statues of saints. The crib is displayed from the first Sunday of Advent until February 2, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Steyr also boasts other churches and cathedrals, such as the Romanesque St. Michael’s Church, the Baroque St. Anna’s Church, the Gothic St. Sebald’s Church, and the modern St. Francis Xavier’s Church. These religious buildings reflect the town’s history and culture, offering visitors a unique and memorable experience.
Gleink Benedictine Abbey
The Gleink Benedictine monastery in Steyr, Upper Austria, is a former Benedictine monastery that was significantly influenced by the Austrian Baroque monastic construction movement in the second half of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. The church construction took place in three phases: the Romanesque era, the Gothic style, and the Baroque era. The Romanesque era saw the construction of two altars in 1223 and the consecration of the church in 1273. The nave, with its steep proportions, was reconstructed in the Gothic style in 1436, with the nave transformed into a trapezoid-shaped Gothic choir. The church’s core walls, with buttresses and a finely formed window, date back to the 15th century.
The Baroque era began in the mid-seventeenth century, with renovations by Abbot Augustin Kausler. The church’s modern appearance was achieved under the administrations of abbots Cölestin Pestaluz and Rupert I. von Kimpflern, who also raised the church tower. The final construction was completed by Abbot Rupert II Freysauf von Neudegg in 1709, with the church painted in 1709, the gateway in 1714, and the organ in 1732. The church’s last renovation was completed in 1954, and between 1981 and 1994, the church and monastery buildings underwent extensive renovations.
Pilgrimage church Christkindl
Steyr-Christkindl parish and pilgrimage church is a baroque church in Steyr, inspired by the Roman Pantheon. The church’s name comes from a wax figure of Jesus as a baby (Christkindl), which rests above the high altar. Carlo Antonio Carlone designed the blueprints for the current church in 1702, but construction was prohibited due to lack of approval from the bishop ordinariate in Passau. Permission was obtained five years later, and the church was consecrated on September 28, 1709.
The parish was formed in 1891 after Garsten Abbey was secularized in 1785. The Kirchweiler includes the current rectory and structures erected by Prandtauer between 1710 and 1715. The former hermitage (now Hotel-Restaurant Christkindlwirt) has been used as an inn for 200 years. The church is a Roman-style basilica with four apses and two façade towers in a circular shape.
The church was designed around a place of worship, featuring Leonhard Sattler’s baroque high altar, a gilded copper globe, and Johann Karl von Reslfeld’s cupola fresco. The crucifixion painting on the right side altar comes from the monastery of Tegernsee, and the altar frames were designed by Marian Rittinger, a Garstner lay brother. The church’s history dates back to the Josephine reforms and the establishment of the Christkindl Christmas post office since 1950.
Parish Church of St. Egydius and Coloman
The Roman Catholic parish church in Steyr, built in the 15th century in the Gothic style, is the most visible religious structure in Upper Austria. The church features a magnificent sanctuary designed by Hanns Puchspaum, a vaulted 4-bay nave, and a three-aisled, three-bay choir. The church’s vaulting is supported by continuous wrapped pillars with sculptural corbels. The church’s interior is adorned with a neo-Gothic tower, a transverse west construction, and two entrance gates. The church’s northern side features a five-sided gateway with a double entrance and ribbed vaulted ceiling. The church also houses a neo-Gothic sculpture by Franz Erler and a tympanum relief from around 1526.
The church’s art treasures include stained glass windows, a well-designed tabernacle, unusual iron work, a baptismal font, and church seats. The neo-Gothic high altar, designed by Fidelis Schönlaub, inspired the placement of the Gothic tabernacle on the left side of the central apse. The sacrament house entry is distinctive with six separate openwork swirl designs. The church also features the organ of Franz Xaver Krismann, Carl Ritter von Reslfeld’s artwork of Saint Sebastian, and the baptismal font. The sacristy door is a 1470 Nuremberg work with the municipal coat of arms. A notable feature is the late baroque iron sunflower epitaph, which recalls the smallpox pandemic of 1703.
Michaelerkirche
St. Michael, also known as Michaelerkirche, is a Roman Catholic parish church in Steyrdorf, Upper Austria. It is a listed building in the Diocese of Linz and belongs to the Deanery of Steyr. The church’s building style is similar to that of the Jesuit Church in Munich, with a single nave with four bays north-south and lunetted barrel vaults on girders. The church has three barrel-vaulted side chapels in three neighboring bays. The church’s vaults are stucco-decorated with palmettes, pearl and egg wands, and angel heads.
The church’s most recent major refurbishment occurred in 1989, when the original interior architecture was restored. The church’s tower dominates the townscape of Steyr, with a grand entry portal dated 1677 and a larger chapel dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The interior is designed in late baroque and classical styles, with a large high altar built in 1766/67. The pulpit and organ are two of the most essential pieces of furniture in the parish church, with the pulpit erected in 1770 by the Lamberg royal family of Steyr.
Steyr-Resthof Parish Church
The Steyr-Resthof parish church in Steyr, Austria, was constructed in 1977 by the Gleink parish and received approval from the Diocese of Linz in 1979. The church was constructed in 1982/1983 and consecrated in 1983 by Bishop Maximilian Aichern. Discussions about constructing a new church have been ongoing since 1991. The project was awarded to architects Gabriele Riepl and Peter Riepl after they emerged as the winners in a four-person architectural competition held in 1994. The draft was accepted in 1996, and the foundation stone was laid in 2000. The church was dedicated by Bishop Maximilian Aichern in 2001. The church showcases a diverse range of cuboids, glass surfaces, and a rectangular hall space with glass blocks that provide stunning views. The daily chapel showcases a stunning glass block that serves as a captivating light sculpture. The altar is a striking brick-red monolithic structure, elevated by a single step, and the entry room boasts a beautiful baptismal font.
Neue Pfarrkirche Münichholz
Neue Pfarrkirche Münichholz, located in the Upper Austrian municipality of Steyr, is a Roman Catholic parish church that was built in the aftermath of Hitler’s annexation of Austria in 1938. The church, which was built in a barracks chapel during Soviet authority, was consecrated in December 1946 after building construction resumed in 1946. The Order of the Oblates took over pastoral care by 1947. The church, designed by Hans Riener and Helmut Kern, features wooden ceilings and seats in a natural tone. The church tower, 41 meters tall, is embossed with cubes and has a concrete wall with no apertures in the upper half. The interior is illuminated by a triangular ring of windows in the gable section of the moat roof. The church has a single-story, flat-roofed concrete extension to the south and a simple east-facing doorway with exposure through a narrow window band. The church tower is a free-standing, seven-story structure with a massive metal cross on the top level.
Evangelical parish church of Steyr
The Steyr Evangelical Parish Church, located in Steyr, Upper Austria, was built between 1897 and 1898. It is associated with the Evangelical Church AB in Austria and the Evangelical Superintendency of Upper Austria. The church, also known as the town church, is under monument protection, including the sacred edifice and the vicarage, known as Evang. Vicarage. The church’s architectural style is neo-Gothic, with a slightly constrained feel and a five-story tower. The church features a memorial honoring World War II victims, a three-part window structure, and a plaque listing the names of soldiers who lost their lives or went missing. The church’s overall appearance is enhanced by stained glass windows and an altar with neo-Gothic characteristics. The church also houses a baptismal font dating back to the 16th century. The evangelical vicarage, completed in 1898, was designed by Vienna’s neo-Gothic architect Schöne. The parsonage is two stories, with colored plaster bricks accentuated on the edges. The parish church and rectory are surrounded by a beautiful wrought iron fence.
Parish Church Steyr-Ennsleite
The Roman Catholic parish church of Steyr-Ennsleite, located in Upper Austria, is a historic site with a rich history. The church was built on land previously used for a children’s home, but construction was delayed due to the 1934 uprising. After the civil war, the church acquired the property and was accused of enriching itself with labor movement property. The church faced opposition from workers and was eventually restored to its rightful owners in 1958. The church was built in phases, with the first phase starting in 1966 and the second phase in 1966. The church was consecrated in 1970, and the church was designed with an X-support, absorbing both vertical and horizontal pressures. The exterior shell, originally made of Profilit glass, has no load-bearing purpose and suggests that room boundaries can be changed in the medium or long term. The church’s history and construction continue to inspire the church’s architectural design.
Steyr city gates
Steyr, is renowned for its four main city gates: the Lower City Gate (Unteres Tor), the Upper City Gate (Oberes Tor), the Red Gate (Rotes Tor), and the Neutor (New Gate).
The Lower City Gate, built in the 15th century, leads to the castle, Schloss Lamberg, and is decorated with a mural of emperor Friedrich III and his son Maximilian I. The Upper City Gate, built in the 13th century, marks the entrance to the old town from the north and features the coat of arms of Steyr and the Traungau family. The Red Gate, named after the red color of martyrs during the Protestant Reformation, connects the old town to the suburb of Steyrdorf, where the oldest hospital is located.
The Neutor, built in the 19th century, is the newest and largest city gate, connecting the old town with the modern part of the city. It features a neo-Gothic style and statues of the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. These city gates serve as historical witnesses of Steyr’s development and transformation over the centuries, reflecting the various styles, influences, and events that shaped the city and its people.
Kollertor
The Kollertor (Kollergasse 16) is a city gate in Steyr, Upper Austria’s Ennsdorf neighborhood. It is located on the Enns River and has openings on the upper floor that indicate it was once used for military purposes. The two-story gatehouse, constructed in 1480, is one of three remaining city gates, the others being the Neutor on Grünmarkt and the buckle gate on Gleinkergasse.The Schmiedtor in Haratzmüllerstraße was demolished in 1855, the Ennstor in Zwischenbrücken was demolished in 1864, the Ortltor in Schlüsselhofgasse was demolished in 1891, and the Johannestor was demolished in 1944. The embrasures were discovered in 1969, after which the sgraffito corner blocks were replaced, the stone was cleaned, and the roof was rebuilt with plain tiles. In 2005, a new repair was completed with the goal of preserving the original appearance. The name Kollertor derives from the fact that carters used this gate to deliver the charcoal required by the blacksmiths, which was produced by the charcoal burners. The term “charcoal burner” is derived from the Middle High German koler or köler, which means “charcoal burner.”
Neutor
The Neutor is one of three remaining Steyr city gates, located near the Grünmarkt and facing the town square.Jakob Marconi constructed the Renaissance building after 1572. The primary goal of the new structure was to protect against floods, which were particularly severe in Steyr in 1572. It housed the German school for two centuries and, in the nineteenth century, the gendarmerie barracks.Since 1969, it has housed a portion of the Steyr City Museum’s collection (the remainder is kept at the adjacent Innerberger Stadel).For traffic reasons, the south side received a second arch in 1973.The Hundsgraben bypass was built in the same year as the Schönauer Bridge to replace the historic iron Neutor Bridge over the Enns.The Neutorbrücke served as a pedestrian crossing until June 1974, when it was demolished; the project was finished in October of that year.The riverside frescoes on the gate were restored, and a viewing balcony was built in its place. This section contains the majority of the city wall, which was demolished in 1829.A section connects the western side of the gate to a fortified tower beneath the parish church.
Schnallentor
The buckle gate was most likely built as part of Steyr’s city walls in the area between Steyrdorf and Tabor (today’s Gleinkergasse and Franklin-D.-Roosevelt-Straße) in the first half of the 16th century.The sgraffito artwork, similar to that of the Innerberger Stadel, dates from 1613, as indicated by the date visible on the gate construction.
A “buckle” is a type of old coin.The name Schnellentor comes from its historical role as a toll station: anyone entering the city in a carriage had to pay a pavement toll.The upper half of Gleinkergasse is still referred to as Schnalberg.Steyr’s pavement and bridge tolls were abolished on January 1, 1920 (by a vote of the Upper Austrian state legislature on November 4, 1919).
Although embrasures are present on the top floor, they are unlikely to be strategically significant.Following the fall of the city wall in 1857, the buckle gate was requested to be demolished once more in 1875, but the municipal council rejected this request with a razor-thin majority.A second attempt in 1887 failed, most likely due to the historical significance as well as the rooms available.The building was quickly repaired and restored to its original state, including the sgraffito. They were refurbished again in 1952. The current walkway that surrounds the gate was built in 1973. The goal for 2018 was to refurbish the facade and vault after repairing the gate’s foundation in 2017.
Castles and Palaces In Steyr
Steyrer is a city with several castles and palaces that reflect its historical and cultural significance. The most prominent castle is Schloss Lamberg, built by the Traungau counts in the 12th century. In the 15th century, it was acquired by the Lambergs, a noble family from Carinthia, who transformed it into a Renaissance palace. The Lambergs were influential patrons of arts and sciences and hosted famous guests such as Emperor Maximilian I, Martin Luther, Johannes Kepler, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The castle is now a museum showcasing the Lambergs’ art collection, historical weapons, and furniture.
Schloss Werndl, a Baroque palace in the center of Steyrer, was built in the 17th century by the Werndls, a wealthy merchant family who made their fortune from iron trade and firearms production. The palace is now the headquarters of the Steyr Arms company, a successor of the Werndl firearms factory.
Schloss Vogelsang, a Gothic castle built in the 14th century by the Schaunbergs, was a strategic stronghold controlling access to the Enns valley and the region’s iron mines. The castle was besieged and damaged several times during the 15th and 16th centuries, and was eventually abandoned in the 17th century. Schloss Tabor, a Rococo palace built in the 18th century by the Tabors, a noble family from Bohemia who settled in Steyr in the 16th century, is now a cultural center hosting concerts, exhibitions, and weddings.
Bummerlhaus
The Bummerlhaus in Steyr, Austria, is a well-preserved late Gothic town house with its origins dating back to the 13th century. It was first documented in 1450 and is most likely named after the sign of the former inn, “Zum Goldenen Löwen.” The house’s history can be traced back to the 15th century through its proprietors, who were Mert Pandorffer, Wolfgang Pandorffer, Georg Prandtstetter, Hanns Prandtstetter, Wolf Händl von Ramingdorf, Stefan Grafhaider, Daniel Edtinger, and the Volkskreditbank.
The house was used as an inn until 1898 and then as a hardware store until 1964. In 1964, the Volkskreditbank acquired the property and began a major renovation project, including a cash hall on the ground floor, a gable wall, and a spacious office unit. In 2000, the front exterior underwent restoration and a gable wall renovation.
The Bummerlhaus is a remarkable and well-preserved medieval secular structure, known for its aesthetically pleasing design and traditional Steyr concept. It consists of a front building with a beautifully decorated façade, a rear building, and three courtyards with arcades. The house chapel, which features four elegant late-Gothic windows, is a remarkable example of Gothic secular architecture. The door jamb is decorated with five trefoil motifs, and the first-floor wooden ceilings showcase the builder’s wealth and opulence.
Sternhaus
The Sternhaus, a medieval town house in Steyrer Stadtplatz 12, was transformed into a late Baroque style after a 1727 town fire. The Gothic structure was reconstructed with a continuous bay window and five window axes, hiding the gabled roof and creating the illusion of being one story taller. The façade features white griffins holding a golden star, coats of arms of Winterl and Schoiber von Engelstein, and a painted relief of John the Baptist. The second-story windows are adorned with angels representing the crown’s five senses, with symbols representing smell, taste, hearing, sight, and touch. The design was likely by Gotthard Hayberger.
The property was owned by Martin Schmidinger, a merchant who served as town judge in Steyr from 1433 to 1439 and 1445. The Prandstetter and Guetbrot families owned the home in the 16th and 17th centuries. Matthias Abele von Lilienberg, a poet and court clerk of Leopold I, owned the property around 1660. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the property was owned by Johannes and Theresia Wimerl-Schoiber, Johann Nepomuk Stohammer, and Johann and Katharina Eberstaller. The Sternhaus’s renovations took place in 1979.
Schloss Voglsang
Schloss Voglsang is a listed neo-Gothic house in Steyr, built by Josef Werndl and Anton Plochberger. The three-story building features four corner towers and a rectangular floor plan, with a triangular gable with a rosette at the central axis. The façade has late Gothic style elements based on the Scottish model, but it is not a replica. The building was initially built in 1873 and was later sold to the city in 1878 on the condition of being transformed into a poorhouse. The building hosted an exhibition for the city’s 900th anniversary celebrations in 1880 and an electrical demonstration in 1884. After Werndl’s death, the building was passed down to his daughter Caroline von Imhof, who enlarged it and made it habitable by 1890. The property was bought by the Tyrolean Franciscan Province in 1928 and transformed into a boys’ monastery. The Palm House was demolished during the interwar period and reopened in 1945. In 1995, Dobrauz purchased the castle and converted it into a senior citizens’ condominium. The Federal Monuments Office has designated the structure as Voglsang Castle with Park and Fountain as a monument.
Lamberg Castle
Lamberg Castle, located at the confluence of the Steyr and Enns rivers in Steyr, Upper Austria, is a baroque castle with a groomed landscape in the English style. It was owned by the Counts of Lamberg from 1666 until 1938. The castle features a Renaissance fountain with the Lambergian heraldic animal, surrounded by twelve baroque sandstone dwarf sculptures. The courtyard is dominated by the two-story baroque façade of the former castle chapel, which has been converted into a ceremonial hall for the register office. The baroque palace library, with almost 10,300 volumes, is one of Austria’s greatest private libraries. The castle’s oldest structure is the Roman tower, which functioned as the keep of the old fortress. The Styraburg moat is preserved, and the Graben is used for operetta performances and open-air films as part of the Steyr Music Festival. The castle’s garden was established in 1476 and transformed into an English landscape park in 1844. The park was taken over by the Reich Forest Administration in 1938, along with Count Lamberg’s allodial possessions, and the land was passed to the Reichsgau Oberdonau in 1942. The Trinity Column, erected in 1714, was upgraded to its present level in 1974.
Engelseck Castle
Engelseck Castle, also known as Engelsegg, is a Renaissance-style castle complex in Steyr, Austria. Built in 1500, it was known as Teufelseck until 1642. The castle’s exact date of construction is unknown, but it is believed to have been built by Hans Fuchsberger, a wealthy textile dealer. In 1641, Josef Achtmarkt von Achtmarktstein bought the castle and restored it in Renaissance style. The castle’s name was changed to Engelseck, derived from the Teufelsbach, which runs partially underground. The castle was bought by Mattheus Riss in 1667 and held by the Riss von Risenfels family until 1726. The castle was later sold to Jakob Voith in 1783. Other owners included the Höger family, Josef Mayr, and Josef Werndl. The city of Steyr has owned the land since 1918. The chateau is a simple two-story building with a three-wing floor arrangement, visible courtyard, hipped roofs, a high tower, and a false crenellated wall. The castle features a circular tower with a view of Steyr and a park with trees.
Steyr Town Hall
The Steyr town hall, located at Stadtplatz 27, is a rococo edifice designed by Johann Gotthard Hayberger and built between 1765 and 1778. The building features an onion dome, which emphasizes its vertical posture, and six allegorical figures depicted on the balustrade and tower: Lady Justice, Penal Law, Omniscience, Self-knowledge, Church Patronage, and Roman Law. A clock and enormous pillars adorn the front of the building, while windows on the ground and first levels are covered and barred. A wrought-iron trellis surrounds the balcony over the main doorway, and the city coat of arms features a flame-spitting panther above the gateway.
The town hall was built to replace an earlier deteriorating edifice, with Hayberger’s ideas dating back to 1757. The main construction was completed in 1772, with the rear wings completed in 1778. The building has been constantly altered and renovated since WWII, with the front wing enlarged in 1956 and the baroque hall transformed into a festival hall in 1979. The clock was replaced the next year, and the facade must be redone every decade. Since 2000, the facade has been light gray, replacing the orange-pink color it was before.
Lebzelterhaus
The Lebzelterhaus in Steyr, Sierningerstraße 1, is a Renaissance-style aristocratic residence. The building in question was constructed during the 16th century.The façade is a depiction of the year 1567, while the paintings are believed to have originated from that same era.The home sold Lebzelten, mead, and wax objects until 1957, and they were made in-house until the mid-nineteenth century.The municipal council approved the purchase of the house on November 15, 1957. By 1960, the original Renaissance condition had been restored after restoration work was completed.The museum currently features a gingerbread exhibit, along with a cozy café called Christkindl. The residence can be found on Sierningerstraße 1 in Steyrdorf, conveniently situated across from the Red Fountain.Just a few steps away lies the Gothic Dunklhof (Kirchengasse 16).
Innerberger Stadel
The Innerberger Stadel, located at Steyrer Grünmarkt 26, is a Renaissance structure with sgraffito paintings from 1612/13. Named after Innerberg’s principal trade union, it was purchased in 1628 and now houses the Steyr City Museum and the Steyrer Kripperl. The building is linked to Neutor and features vaults on the lower floor and wooden beam ceilings on the upper floors. A painting from Joseph’s story, dating back to 1612, is on the second level. The building has two side entrances, two large barred windows on the ground level, and six smaller windows on the upper floors. An iron gargoyle protrudes from the moat between the two roofs. Sgraffiti artwork decorates the window and door openings. The citizens’ fountain on the plaza in front of the barn was designed by Maximilian Stockenhuber between 1977 and 1979.
Dunklhof
The Dunklhof, located in Steyrdorf’s Steyr sector, is a late Gothic town house with a Renaissance arcaded courtyard. The residential edifice, which served as the seat of the lower courts, dates back to the 15th century. The arcaded courtyard, constructed around 1520/25, features columns and corner pillars with tracery decorations. The arcade courtyard was restored in 1996, including mortared ridges, ridge and groin connections, and the reuse of ancient hand-beaten roof tiles. The façade facing Kirchengasse was renovated in 2006, and the current yellow artwork is from that period. The house was owned by Christian Brittinger, Alfred Brittinger, Karl Arazim, Heinrich Lang, Mathilde Stippl, Otto Dunkl, and his son, architect Heinrich Dunkl. In 1958, he married poet Waltraut Oberleitner-Schottenloher, also known as Dora Dunkl. The courtyard is still used for residential use and events, with the Holy Spirit Pharmacy, Steyr’s oldest pharmacy, relocated to Wieserfeldplatz in 2001 due to space and economic location.
Bürgerspital
The Bürgerspital, located in Steyrdorf, was a public hospital established in the early 14th century. It was originally a facility for the aged, sick, or destitute, but was rebuilt in 1305. Wealthy citizens created estates, such as farms and vineyards, to accommodate patients. The hospital was under the ruler’s administration until around 1407. A late Gothic church was built in 1500, and it was converted into a suburban parish in 1785/86. The baroque finish on the tower is from the 18th century. The hospital underwent extensive renovations between the 16th and 1761, including an internal repair in 1924, a renovation in 1952, and a comprehensive outward makeover in 1978. From March to October 2011, a general restoration was undertaken, including the façade, floors, vault, and roof. The roof structure was reconstructed, leaving historic purlins and rafters in place and replacing battens. The roof was rearranged with new plain tiles to avoid monotony. The hospital hosted the first Austrian Christmas Museum in 2001. The riverfront facade features a Steyr panther painting and a high water mark with the inscription Wasserhöhe 1572.
Streets and squares In Steyr
Steyr is a city known for its architectural diversity and charm, with its streets and squares being the main attractions. The Town Square, located in the lower section of the city, is a diamond-shaped public space surrounded by historical Austrian buildings, including the Bummerlhaus, Rathaus, and the Gothic parish church, the Stadtpfarrkirche. This square is a lively place for socializing, shopping, dining, and enjoying cultural events.
The Green Market, located in the upper section near the river Steyr, is named after the green market that takes place every Saturday, where local farmers and vendors sell fresh produce, flowers, cheese, bread, and other goods. The square is home to beautiful buildings such as the Schifferhaus, Apothekerhaus, and Michaelerkirche.
Leopold-Werndl-Platz, a modern square in the center of the city, is named after Leopold Werndl, a famous industrialist and inventor who founded the Steyr Arms company in the 19th century. It features a large bronze statue of Werndl, a fountain with a replica of his rifle, and a mural depicting his factory’s history. The square is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists, offering cafes, restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.
Schlosspark, a scenic park on the hill where the Schloss Lamberg stands, offers a panoramic view of the river junction and the old town, shady trees, colorful flowers, winding paths, and benches. The park also has historical and cultural attractions, such as the Schlossmuseum, which displays the art and history of the Lamberg family; the Panoramaweg, which leads to the castle and the lower city gate; and the Christkindlweg, which leads to the famous Christmas market in the nearby village of Christkindl.
Steyr Stadtplatz
Steyr’s Stadtplatz, a significant part of the city, is known for its well-preserved old town architecture. The square’s origins date back to the mid-13th century when two village centers merged around the Stirapurc and town parish church. The city is divided into medieval sections, with many residences possessing Gothic cores. Franz Schubert lived in Steyr from 1819, 1823, and 1825, and a commemorative plaque was placed in 1890.
Steyr’s oldest home, Bummerlhaus, preserves most of its 1490s Gothic look. The Marienkirche, a baroque-style church from the Counter-Reformation era, has a contemporary appearance with components of the late Gothic predecessor. The rococo town hall was built between 1765 and 1778 according to Johann Gotthard Hayberger’s architectural plans. The Star House, number 12, has a magnificent rococo-style facade with images of the five senses.
The city has been renovating and redesigning its town square since 2018, in preparation for the Upper Austrian State Exhibition in 2021. The pedestrian area in the city center was enlarged in 2019 with a freshly built promenade on the town square. This growth has led to more consumption-free zones and more space for sidewalk cafés. The rehabilitation project for Grünmarkt and Neutor was completed successfully in 2020, and seven movable trees in pots were purchased for the city center.
