This historic Austrian city, where the Steyr and Enns rivers meet, has centuries-old knife-making traditions and a well-preserved medieval old town alongside modern arms manufacturing.
Steyr, a town in Upper Austria, sits at the meeting point of the Steyr and Enns rivers. In the medieval Stadtplatz, you'll see the Gothic Bummerlhaus mansion with its intricate stone carvings and the 15th-century Parish Church with its 68-meter spire. Walk across the Zwischenbrücken bridge to watch the rivers merge in a series of small waterfalls, or climb up to Lamberg Castle for views across the red-tiled roofs of the old town.
Exploring Stadtplatz and Medieval Architecture
The long, rectangular Stadtplatz forms the heart of Steyr's old town. Look up at the 13th-century Bummerlhaus, where Gothic stone carvings decorate the facade of one of Austria's oldest preserved buildings. The Rococo Town Hall, dating from 1765-1778, catches your eye with its clock tower and ornate white-and-gold facade.
Rivers and Bridges of Steyr
The Steyr and Enns rivers create a Y-shaped waterway through the city center. Walk along the Zwischenbrücken area's paths to see the rivers merge in a series of small waterfalls. Several bridges cross both rivers, giving you different angles to photograph the water and medieval buildings along the banks.
Exploring Lamberg Castle
Lamberg Castle rises above the river confluence, built on foundations dating to 980 CE. Walk through the courtyard to see Renaissance-era statues depicting Roman gods, then explore the castle gardens. The gardens, first planted in 1476 and redesigned in 1844, include geometric flower beds and tree-lined paths with views over the town.
Religious Architecture
Climb the covered stairway called Pfarrstiege to reach the Parish Church, built between 1443 and 1522. Inside, you'll find medieval tombstones and artwork from the 15th century. From the Zwischenbrücken bridge, look for the twin steeples of St. Michael's Church, built between 1635 and 1677 in Baroque style.
Getting Around Steyr
You can easily walk through Steyr's historic center. The town has three main areas: Altstadt (the historic center), Steyerdorf north of the rivers, and Ennsdorf to the east. On Thursdays and Saturdays, local vendors sell fresh produce and crafts at market stalls throughout the center.
Transportation and Location
Steyr lies between Salzburg and Vienna. Take a train with connections through Linz or St. Valentin - the journey from Vienna takes about two hours. If you're driving, you can also reach Steyr from Vienna in approximately two hours via the A1 motorway.
