City Experience Trail
The Ennser City Experience Trail takes you around and through Enns, the oldest town in Austria. On this walking path, you will experience the highlights of the city of Enns and learn interesting facts through information boards along the way.
Recommended season:
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
- Scenic
- Refreshment stops available
- Family friendly
- Cultural/historical value
- Suitable for strollers
The start and end point of the Ennser City Experience Trail is at the Basilica of St. Laurenz. The walking path takes you over Maria Anger through the former Roman legion camp Lauriacum to the bank of the Enns River. At the riverside promenade, follow the path into the old town of Enns, always with a view of Ennsegg Castle on Georgenberg. Upon reaching Ennser Main Square, you will be greeted by the city's landmark, the freestanding City Tower. Past Ennsegg Castle with the castle park, the route returns to the starting point of the City Experience Trail, the Basilica of St. Laurenz.Tip:
- Visit the excavations in the crypt of the Basilica of St. Laurenz. Part of the excavation is exposed in front of the altar. The entire excavation site can be visited during a guided tour (by prior appointment). - Take advantage of the unique opportunity to admire the surroundings from over 50 meters high. Climb the 157 steps of the Ennser City Tower, passing by the bells and the old clockwork of the tower up to the roof, where a small platform offers a breathtaking view in all directions. - Upon reaching the starting point at Ennser Main Square, you can also take the opportunity to visit the Lauriacum Museum, one of the most modern Roman exhibitions in Austria.
Discovery journeys with a delightful stop! This route passes directly by the following culinary partner:
Hiking backpack (including rain cover), sturdy footwearAdditional information:
The City Experience Trail can also be started at Ennser Main Square.
Paths covering:
further information:
- Board possible
The houses in the old town centre are mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries with impressive façades and idyllic courtyards.
The close observer is presented with lovingly preserved details in Gothic door and window panelling, Renaissance scraped plaster ornamentation, magnificent Baroque stucco and friezes from the Wilhelminian era.
This gives the impression that Enns is a unique portrait of past stylistic epochs. Ennsegg Castle and the towering, 60 metre high, free-standing 16th century town tower in the middle of the main square are impressive.
Historical sites such as the Lauriacum Museum - the Roman Central Museum or the Basilica of St. Laurenz harmonise in a special way. Laurenz harmonise in a special way with modern city life. In the centre of the "City of Towers" stands the landmark of Enns: the free-standing city tower, which not only invites you to visit, but is also the starting point for many discoveries!
St. Laurence Basilica stands on the north-east corner of a Roman civil settlement. The foundations of a Roman church lie under the floor of the nave as well as those of the original early Christian building.
The church that you see was built by stages. The oldest part of the structure is the tower that dates back to the 13th century and was erected using Roman building material. The noticeable chancel was built around 1330, while the nave probably was built in the 14th century.
St. Laurence Basilica houses Upper Austria´s two largest oil paintings from the years 1711 and 1726.
Family-owned for over 25 years, the café has been run by Sandra Stangl "out of conviction" as a non-smoking establishment for the past two years. In addition to many coffee specialities, you will find an extensive range of teas from Madame Wu, daily fresh pastries, small snacks or a hearty breakfast - and a charming outdoor café, excellent service and an absolute feel-good atmosphere. Awarded 2 cups in the Falstaff Guide, Café am Platz is one of the best cafés in Austria. The Café am Platz is open Monday to Sunday from 1 May to the end of October in the year of the National Exhibition.
The finest coffee, cakes, ice cream, wine, snacks.
Entdecken Sie die älteste Stadt Österreichs, die Römerzeit, das Mittelalter und die neue Cittàslow.
Enns begeistert seine Besucher mit einer Vielzahl an Sehenswürdigkeiten. Erklimmen Sie den alles überragenden 60 m hohen freistehenden Stadtturm aus dem 16. Jhdt. Besuchen Sie das neu renovierte Schloss Ennsegg oder eine der vielen historischen Kirchen wie die Stadtpfarrkirche St. Marien mit der Wallseerkapelle, die Basilika St. Laurenz oder die evangelische Stadtpfarrkirche. 2018 findet die Oberösterreichische Landesausstellung „Die Rückkehr der Legion“ zum römischen Erbe in Oberösterreich in Enns, Schlögen und Oberranna statt.
The basement of the tower has large stone blocks that are similar to the lower zone of the tower of St Laurence's Basilica.
It can therefore not be ruled out that these are stones from the destroyed Lauriacum.
The tower has raised crosses in the plaster on the south and north sides, which are interpreted by researchers as St John's crosses.
The Wallseer family, who received the Burghut, court and toll at Enns as a pledge from the sovereign in 1309, built a pilgrims' hospice in Enns between 1326 and 1338. It consisted of the hospice and the chapel in the Frauenturm tower. At the time, Enns was located on the European Way of St James, which travelled from Gdansk via Prague and Freistadt, continuing westwards from Enns through Switzerland, France and the north of Spain to Santiago de Compostela.
The chapel can be reached via a staircase on the outside of the tower, which is typical of a St John's hospice. (Visit during the city tours, otherwise you can get a key for 15 minutes from the tourist information centre). The interior impresses with its wall paintings in mixed technique, which are attributed to the St Florian school of painting and dated between 1320 and 1360. The Gothic vault has a blue, starry sky, cross ribs decorated in different colours with a keystone. The south wall: St Laurentius, patron saint of the poor and needy, to the left of the window. First figure to the right of the window: St Dorothea, patron saint of gardeners, newlyweds and women in labour. She carries a basket of apples and roses as an attribute. Second figure: St Martha of Bethany, patron saint of housewives, cooks and maids. Her attribute is the dragon Tarascus, which, according to legend, she defeated in the Rhone Valley with a cross and holy water and carried to Arles on her belt.
The east wall: Eight scenes of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus arranged in three rows one above the other. However, the chronologically last event (resurrection) of the cycle is placed at the top. Symbolic meaning: Victory over suffering and death through the Saviour. The individual pictures show the following scenes: Resurrection, the prayer on the Mount of Olives, Judas' betrayal, Christ before Pilate, the scourging of Christ, the carrying of the cross, the crucifixion and the descent from the cross.
The north wall: Christ crucified on the tree of life. The branches form numerous medallions containing small bust portraits, probably of prophets and ancestors of Christ.
The west wall: numerous, poorly preserved medallions with bust portraits of unknown persons (depictions of saints?).
Visit as part of a guided tour!
Registration: Tourismus & Stadtmarketing Enns
07223/82777, info.enns@oberoesterreich.at, www.enns.at
Tastefully decorated premises and lovingly prepared Italian delicacies.
The Lauriacum Restaurant has a restaurant (110 seats), a Stüberl (62 seats), a café (48 seats), the Steyr and Enns conference rooms (110 seats), the Ennserl Bar (38 seats), and a restaurant.
conference rooms Steyr and Enns (110 seats), the Ennserl-Bar (38 seats) and a garden
as well as a garden and outdoor café (18 seats).
Coaches are also very welcome in the Lauriacum Restaurant. Special weekend rates are offered at weekends.
Specialities: Alaskan wild salmon with garlic and black bread
saddle of rabbit on Korean sauce with homemade vegetable noodles, veal cream puff pastry with roasted napkin dumplings.
See also Austria Classic Hotel Lauriacum!
In the northern area of the town hill the 1st sovereign or ducal castle (stone building) was built around 1100. When this was equally dilapidated, the castle Ennsegg was built instead .
The newly renovated castle with the castle park invites you to admire and relax. It was built in 1569/70 by the imperial councillor Dr Gienger and was extended in the 17th century by baroque additions.
After the Battle of Ebelsberg Napoleon was quartered in the castle. From there he observed the reconstruction of the destroyed Enns Bridge. Even today this view is called "Napoleon view".
Today, what many dream of has become reality - the wedding in the castle. Thus, wedding couples can not only say "I do" in a civil ceremony in the historic "Bilderzimmer", but also tie the knot in church in the castle chapel. In addition, beautiful rooms such as the "Georgenberg" hall, the "Auersperg" hall, the "Napoleon" hall or an old vault in the castle are available for subsequent celebrations.
Remains of the high and low walls can be seen in Stiegengasse - Ennsberg, the main road (1) and between the Bakery- and Pfaff tower, as well as in the field of Jewish tower.
Getting there
Exit the A1 motorway at Enns East – continue towards Enns – take the 2nd exit at the roundabout – follow the road at the next two traffic lights and then turn right into Lauriacumstraße after the Lidl market.
Public Transit
How to get to the Upper Austria Danube region?
The fastest way to your destination - by train, bus, car, ship, or plane.
Arrival by train: get off at Enns station – go straight into Lauriacumstraße – after about 400 meters, the Basilica of St. Laurenz is on the right side
Parking
Free parking spaces are available directly at the Basilica of St. Laurenz
- Suitable for pushchairs
- Suitable for families
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Early winter
- Deep winter
Please get in touch for more information.
Lindengasse 9
4040 Linz
Phone +43 732 7277 - 800
Fax machine +43 732 7277 - 804
E-Mail info@donauregion.at
Web www.donauregion.at
Altitude profile - City Experience Trail
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