Engelhartszell: Trappist Round

Description:

INTERESTING POINTS ALONG THE WAY:

Legendary cultural life:

• Engelszell Abbey Church, April 1 - Oct. 31: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Nov. 1 - March 31: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.


• Blacksmith Museum, April 1 - Sept. 30: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Nature and movement:

• Mini-Danube Water Experience with exhibition “the aliens are coming” and large aquarium “Giant of the Danube” (up to two-meter-long Danube fish): May 1 - Sept. 30: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., group tours on request, entrance from €1.50


• Danube Stories Exhibition and Natura 2000, May 1 - Sept. 30 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. and by phone request; free entry

 

SPIRITUAL HIKING ON THE DONAUSTEIG:

The Engelszell Abbey was founded in 1293 by the Passau Bishop Bernhard (Wernhart) von Prambach and settled by Cistercians from Wilhering. Many pilgrims found shelter here according to records. In 1786 the monastery was dissolved by Emperor Joseph II and used as a private residence and factory. In 1925 Trappists settled here and in 1931 Engelszell Abbey was elevated to an abbey. Between 1939 and 1945 the monastery was dissolved and subsequently taken over again by the Trappists. The spirituality of the Trappists includes a contemplative, withdrawn life. Traditionally, prayer, reading, and manual work determine the daily rhythm of the monks. Worth seeing is the adjacent “sensory garden,” which is integrated into the Mini-Danube Water Experience and is open for visits from May 1 to September 30 (entrance fee). The “sensory garden” houses old grapevine and fruit tree varieties. There is also an “herb garden,” a “water-sensory path” designed according to the teachings of Sebastian Kneipp, and a labyrinth in the original Cretan form. Walking through this labyrinth can bring the experience of calm and inwardness when entering and openness to the world when leaving.

Directions:

From the Donausteig starting point at the Engelhartszell municipal office, we follow the Sauwald federal road uphill and leave the road on the left at the first hairpin bend. The path continues uphill through the forest. We meet the federal road again, follow it towards St. Aegidi, but turn left at the forest edge for a detour to the panoramic viewpoint “Moarfelsen” with views of the Trappist monastery Engelszell Abbey.

Back at the road, we can visit St. Aegidi or cross the road and, following the side road, reach the Pamingerhof. Passing the forest edge, we encounter Zimmerleiten road. We follow it until the next forest section and turn right towards Mühlbach. Leaving the forest, we reach the “Trout Circus.”

The route continues uphill to the road, where we turn right, and after about 200 m, turn left into the farm track to the panoramic viewpoint “Thron.” We follow the path until it goes downhill again through the forest via the so-called “Stuhlbergersteig” to the “Engelhartszell Panorama Stage” and back to the starting point.

Tip:
Stift Engelszell is a place to pause, linger, and marvel with all your senses!Equipment:
Hiking backpack (incl. rain cover), sturdy footwearAdditional information:

Association Culture & Tourism on the Danube
Marktpl. 61
4090 Engelhartszell
Tel.: 0043(0)7717/8055-16
Fax: 0043(0)7717/8055-22
tourismus@engelhartszell.ooe.gv.at
www.engelhartszell.at

 

DONASTEIG HOSTS ALONG THE ROUTE:

Camping on the Danube
Nibelungenstrasse 113, 4090 Engelhartszell, Tel.: +43 664 870 8787, www.camping-engelhartszell.at
- 10 beds
Hotel Gasthof “Zum Goldenen Schiff”
Nibelungenstrasse 2, 4090 Engelhartszell, Tel.: +43 7717 8009, www.goldenesschiff.co.at
- 31 beds

OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS ALONG THE ROUTE:

Klosterkrämerei Bistro, organic and farm shop, Tel.: +43 7717 20024
Pizzeria da Gino, Tel.: +43 7717 20163, closed Wednesday
Café-Bakery Wallner, Tel.: +43 7717 8062, private rooms
“Romantic House Blacksmith's Shop”, +43 7717 8059, 10 beds