Big castles and churches circuit

The Big Castles and Churches Circuit covers almost 40 kilometres and includes five interesting castles and eight churches worth seeing. The loop stretches over a total of 130 metres in altitude and is easily manageable by e-bike. Those who would like a more athletic challenge can also do the loop by bike.
There are several rest and refreshment points along the way.

Bicycles and e-bikes can be rented at the Bad Schallerbach Tourist Information.

The starting point of the tour is the Parz country castle, which was built in 1514. On the garden façade of this castle there are frescoes from the 1580s, which are regarded as major works of Austrian and southern German Renaissance art, both artistically and iconographically. Thanks to careful restoration work, the frescoes are extraordinarily well preserved over a length of 90 metres and a height of 10 metres. The garden of the country palace is inspired by the Renaissance period, but mixed with modern interpretations.
Next to the Parz country palace is the Castle Parz Gallery, which was first mentioned in documents as "Veste Parz" in the 14th century. After a fire in 1820 it was rebuilt, so only fragments of the former moated castle remain. Exhibitions of the works of local and international artists are regularly held in the gallery rooms.
After you have seen both castles, the bicycle tour can begin. First you cycle to Gallspach, where you can cool off in the outdoor pool.
The first church worth seeing on this tour is the Catholic parish church in Gallspach. This has existed since 1343, but was redesigned in 2005, with the old steeple and a modern ring-shaped structure making the church truly unique.
Your next stop is Gallspach Castle. This castle is owned privately and can therefore only be admired from the outside. However, the round tower that has been preserved from the former castle and the pond-like moat around the castle make it worth a stop.
Not far away are the cyclists' rest stop, where you can refuel your energy and that of your e-bike, and the Kiener Chapel, which was built in 1885.
After you have refreshed yourself, the tour leaves Gallspach and the next destination is the Parish Church in Meggenhofen. The late Gothic building of the church is from the 14th or 15th century, the characteristic pointed tower roof dates back to the 19th century.
The tour continues to Aistersheim.
The first stop here is the Maria Himmelfahrt Parish Church built in 1700.
The second stop is the moated castle of Aistersheim, which is considered one of the finest examples of late Renaissance architecture. The castle stands on numerous wooden pilings and is surrounded by water all around. The two entrance gates can be reached via the massive wooden bridges. A visit to this beautiful building is well worth it!
Now the tour takes you to Weibern, to another church worth seeing - the Parish Church of St. Stephan. This late Gothic church was built around 1500 and the richly decorated high altar, which is the main feature of the church, was most likely created in 1687.
We continue to Hofkirchen an der Trattnach, where the church is also worth a stop. The original church burned down in 1620 and the baroque church, which can still be admired today, was built in 1712-1716.
In Taufkirchen an der Trattnach there are two churches worth seeing. The Saint Vitus´ Church dates from the 14th century and was built in the late Gothic period. The Parish church of St. Martin received its present form in Renaissance style between 1670 and 1680.
From here we head back towards Grieskirchen, first to Tollet Castle. The first fortifications of today's castle were built as early as 1170. The Renaissance style of the castle, which can still be admired in all its splendour today, was built at the beginning of the 17th century. Particularly worth seeing here are the artistically forged fountain in the courtyard and the arcade railings, which date back to the time of construction. From the tower there is an impressive distant view of the Trattnachtal valley. Today, Tollet Castle houses flats, the Tollet municipal office and the Bezirksheimathausverein. The latter offers a representative cross-section of the district's cultural assets in Tollet Castle, the Upper Austrian Regional Bee Museum, as well as a Wagner Museum. The rooms are also used for various exhibitions and events.
On the way into the centre of Grieskirchen to the Parish Church, you will pass the Schwibbogen with baroque fresco, which was erected in 1604. The church was first mentioned in a document in 1075 and was thoroughly renovated on the outside at the end of the 20th century. It is clearly worth seeing both from the outside and the inside. The associated tomb monument of Sigmund von Polheim and his wife Potentiana is an art-historical rarity from the 16th century.
From here, the loop takes you back to the Parz castles.
On the way you will pass numerous inns, cafés and restaurants, which cordially invite you to linger and fortify yourself.
 
Free bike map available at the Tourist-Info Bad Schallerbach and Gallspach