Sauwald Panoramastraße

Vichtenstein Castle - of feud and the bishop's victory

The romantic Vichtenstein Castle is located in the centre of Vichtenstein, just a few metres off the Donausteig trail. It was probably founded in the 11th century by one of the Counts of Formbach. After this dynasty died out in 1145, the castle passed to the Hallgraves of Wasserburg. In 1217, a reversal of fortune began that was to throw the region into turmoil for years! Konrad Count of Wasserburg and Vichtenstein wanted to go on a crusade to the Holy Land and borrowed money from the Prince-Bishop of Passau. As a pledge, he gave Vichtenstein Castle with its numerous possessions. Before his departure, Konrad married and signed the castle over to his wife. However, the Bishopric of Passau regarded the castle as her property and considered this transfer to be unlawful. Thus began an 8-year feud between Konrad and the bishopric. He harmed Passau wherever he could: he destroyed Passau property, attacked Passau merchants, blockaded the Danube, ... His strategic "masterpiece": as Passau's prosperity was based on the salt trade, Konrad channelled the salt from Salzburg past Passau! He utilised his salt trading privileges as Hallgraf and had the salt transported down the Inn River landed in Schärding. It was then transported overland via Münzkirchen, Vichtenstein and Kasten to Obernzell, from where it found its usual route to Bohemia. In doing so, he not only damaged Passau, but also made very good money himself! Konrad was finally excommunicated several times (!) for his actions and later even ostracised. In the end, however, he had to give in. In 1227, Vichtenstein became the property of the Bishopric of Passau for the next 550 years. Soon afterwards, the newly founded Engelszell Monastery was supported by being exempted from the Vichtenstein toll and also received all the storm-damaged trees of the Vichtenstein dominion in 1299. In later years, the castle was a favourite hunting lodge of the Passau bishops. The Jagabild chapel on the ridge of the Haugstein has some marvellous stories to tell about this time of hunting! Find out more under "Jagabild Chapel - a marvellous gem!". In 1803, the rule of the Bishopric of Passau ended through secularisation and Vichtenstein Castle fell to the Austrian state. From 1860 onwards, a period of eventful private ownership began. Today, the castle is owned and inhabited by the Schulz-Wulkow family.
The castle cannot be visited! (Source: Schulz-Wulkow, K. (2012). Vichtenstein in the Sauwald)

By the way: Castle mounds used to be kept free of woodland for military reasons. This also helped Linz's Pöstlingberg to become a popular vantage point after the Maximilian fortifications were abandoned. Today, the Pöstlingberg is the landmark of Linz and a must-see for every Donausteig hiker!

Burgblick Schauern is a vantage point and is located on the panoramic road that leads through the scenic features of the Sauwald. The Sauwald is geologically part of the Bohemian Massif. Between Passau and the Danube Loop stretches the striking through valley of the Danube with the typical steep Danube floodplains. The differences in altitude here are enormous, for example near Vichtenstein the landscape rises from around 250 metres above sea level by the river to 895 metres to the Haugstein. The individual viewpoints were artistically designed by Michael Lauss. Route: Esternberg - Vichtenstein - St. Aegidi - Engelhartszell - Waldkirchen. You can find the exact route under the menu item themed roads

The Donaublick Flenkental is a vantage point and is located on the panoramic road that leads through the scenic features of the Sauwald forest, which geologically belongs to the Bohemian massif. Between Passau and the Danube Loop stretches the striking through valley of the Danube with the typical steep Danube floodplains. The differences in altitude here are enormous, for example near Vichtenstein the landscape rises from around 250 metres above sea level by the river to 895 metres to the Haugstein. The individual viewpoints were artistically designed by Michael Lauss. Route: Esternberg - Vichtenstein - St. Aegidi - Engelhartszell - Waldkirchen. You can find the exact route under the menu item themed roads

85 year old Karl Luger has been training his trouts for more than 50 years, with the ancient sawmill (dating back to 1820) as lovely background. Thanks to little earth worms he is able to teach his trouts incredible tricks: jumps, soccer games, ski performances await you. Karl himself is the circus director, the animal trainer and the clown. He creates memories that will stay forever with your kids. A highlight not to be missed in St. Aegidi! Besides the trout show there is a lot more to discover. For example, the funny rooster ... let us surprise you.

The “Panoramabühne Engelhartszell” (panorama stage) is a viewing point and is located by the “Panoramastraße”, which is a street that goes along the special landscape features of the Sauwald region.
The Sauwald belongs geogically to the Bohemian Massif. Between Passau and the natural attraction “Donauschlinge” lies the striking breakthrough valley of the Danube with its typical steep Danube floodplains. The difference in altitudes are massive – for example around Vichtenstein the landscape rises from an altitude of 250 m at the river to an altitude of 895 m at the Haugstein mountain.
The particular viewig points were artistically designed by Michael Lauss.
Route: Esternberg – Vichtenstein – St. Aegidi – Engelhartszell – Waldkirchen

The “Panoramabühne Maierhof” (panorama stage) is a viewing point and is located by the “Panoramastraße”, which is a street that goes along the special landscape features of the Sauwald region.
The Sauwald belongs geogically to the Bohemian Massif. Between Passau and the natural attraction “Donauschlinge” lies the striking breakthrough valley of the Danube with its typical steep Danube floodplains.The difference in altitudes are massive – for example around Vichtenstein the landscape rises from an altitude of 250 m at the river to an altitude of 895 m at the Haugstein mountain.
The particular viewig points were artistically designed by Michael Lauss. Route: Esternberg – Vichtenstein - St. Aegidi – Engelhartszell – Waldkirchen

Under the artistic direction of Michael Lauss, squares were developed at a total of 9 locations and enriched with special sculptures integrated into the landscape. Each site has that certain something, offering the viewer breathtaking perspectives from the Sauwald region onto the Danube valley and the charming landscapes opposite

The beautiful parish church of Vichtenstein is located in the village centre just a few metres from the Donausteig. The neo-Gothic hall church impresses with a granite fan vault, symbolic decorations on the vault keystones, several stone "rosettes" in the church walls,... - see and discover! The total length is 33 metres, the width is 14.50 metres and the tower is 40 metres high. The presbytery is lit by three large windows and the double nave by 6.50 m high windows. The highlight is the Hausmutter von Vichtenstein, a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. It was created around 1430 and originally stood in the castle chapel. After a fire in 1773, which destroyed a large part of the castle and its chapel, the wooden statue disappeared. It mysteriously reappeared in 1881 when the tower cross was placed on the new parish church. The solution to the mystery: the wife of the caretaker of the castle had taken it without permission and only returned it ruefully on her deathbed. The statue is credited with several miraculous healings and was a favourite pilgrimage site for the local population for centuries.

Vichtenstein Castle has always been the manorial centre of the village. The ecclesiastical centre, however, was located around 6 km to the north-west in Esternberg, the oldest parish in the northern Sauwald. The chapel of Vichtenstein Castle served as a branch church until the 18th century. In 1785, Vichtenstein finally became an independent parish. The reason: according to Emperor Joseph II, no subject should have an arduous journey to their church. In 1877, the painstaking construction of today's parish church began, which was completed with the ceremonial placing of the tower cross in 1881. Incidentally, the granite used for the church did not come from a quarry, but was found and worked in the surrounding forests. (Source: Schulz-Wulkow, K. (2012). Vichtenstein in the Sauwald)

Now the question arises: What is a hall church?
In a hall church, the nave characterises the church interior. The naves are of equal height and are usually united under a common gabled roof. This creates a spacious, hall-like feeling of space. Here in Vichtenstein, however, static considerations were more decisive for the two-nave architecture. Due to the steep slope, the plateau for the parish church had to be partially heaped up. Three central columns were erected in the nave to take some of the pressure off the outer walls on the valley side. Learn to read church architecture!

Tip: A short detour to the parish church is worthwhile!

The viewpoints are not simply "viewpoints", rather the "special" aspect of the vantage points is emphasised and enhanced by creative objects. Each place has that certain something, yet a continuity is recognisable, offering the viewer breathtaking perspectives from the Sauwald region on the charming landscapes opposite.
The initiators of the Sauwald Panorama Road are the Danube communities of Esternberg, Vichtenstein, Engelhartszell, St. Ägidi and Waldkirchen am Wesen. The road leads from Wesenufer to Pyrawang.

The museum sheds light on the life of Stefan Fadinger and life in the 17th century around the time of the Peasants' War. It is also dedicated to Fadinger's brother-in-law, Christoph Zeller, who, coming from Haibach ob der Donau, ran a tavern in St. Agatha and, as a captain, was also one of Fadinger's comrades-in-arms on the side of the rebellious peasants. The Stefan Fadinger Museum is also dedicated to the "afterlife" of Stefan Fadinger. Throughout Austria, streets, schools and other buildings are named after Stefan Fadinger. Fadinger's footsteps lead right up to the present day. Audio stations and modern museum technology offer you a contemporary museum experience.

The entire valley is covered with trees and only a small part belongs to the Nature Preserve. All the rest is still cultivated by its owners, the local farmers. It is a truly unique place to relax and unwind, to make endless walks or to collect berries, mushrooms and flowers. Kößlbach brook marks the border between the towns of Engelhartszell, Waldkirchen and St. Aegidi. The minor Kößlbachtal valley offers a varied fauna and flora as well as countless buildings rich in history.

Tips for the tour:

Start the hike at the welcome board: the bird cherry, the scent of Douglas fir, horse chestnut, hazel, a mound of pumpkins or nettles covered with voracious black caterpillars greet you.

New nature is growing in many small areas of forest that were once plagued by storms, with marvellous mosses and tiny ferns growing very close to the path, berries and mushrooms tempting you to pick them, little frogs hopping around and woodpeckers drumming holes in the trees. The leaves, needles, cones and bark of the trees invite you to compare them and, with a magnifying glass, you can discover exceptionally rich animal life in old tree stumps! .

In the magnificent mixed forest, visitors are particularly fascinated by the beech trees, which are over 100 years old. Take a look up at the tall larch, search for old oaks and even younger lime trees, birches and hornbeams. Beech cankers or Chinese beards, woodpecker holes and other serious tree injuries are easy to spot.

In the "forest dome" you feel like you are in a cathedral. This idyllic spot with a few benches invites you and your companions to linger or take a short break.

A narrow path leads us back out to the edge of the forest and we return to the starting point. We are accompanied by the snowball bush, weeping cherry, numerous alders, lime trees, willow, rowan and large oaks.

In 1994, the forest school won the environmental protection prize of the province of Upper Austria.
in 1994. For further information or guided tours, please contact the Esternberg municipal office.