Kirchdorf an der Krems
Kirchdorf an der Krems - Town life in the Krems Valley
River and marketplace. Mountains and encounters.
Kirchdorf an der Krems lies in the heart of 360° Alpenland - nestled between the Sengsengebirge mountains in the south and gentle hills in the north of Upper Austria. The Krems has accompanied the town for centuries, characterising paths, squares and the attitude to life. Anyone arriving here quickly realises that this town is manageable, but full of movement.
On the historic market square, the weekly market and fresh produce market meet traditional craftsmanship. The Gothic parish church with its baroque tower tells of a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. At the same time, Kirchdorf is a modern district capital with a cinema, cultural events and a lively town centre. Culture is not staged here, but lived - in clubs, at town festivals or during an evening chat in front of the café.
Kirchdorf an der Krems is an ideal starting point for guests in the Alpine region: hikes to the Kalkalpen National Park, cycle tours along the Krems or excursions into the mountains between Pyhrn and Priel start right on the doorstep. If you want to combine a city holiday with an experience of nature, you will find short distances here - from a walk along the river to a visit to a museum, from a shopping spree to an Alpine snack.
Kirchdorf stands for an Upper Austria that combines down-to-earthness and openness. A town with a clear silhouette, a view of the mountains and space for encounters.
Facts & Figures
History of the town of Kirchdorf an der Krems
Market law and crafts. River course and time trace.
Kirchdorf an der Krems does not tell its story aloud, but in layers. The first documentary traces date back to 903. The Romanesque church was built around 1100 and consecrated in 1119 - a spiritual centre that still characterises the townscape today. In 1437, Kirchdorf was granted the right to bear a seal and became a castle keep. The lion in the coat of arms is a reminder of this time, when trade and crafts gained in importance.
In the 16th century, barch weavers dominated economic life - almost half of the town's population lived from this trade. Later, scythe smiths and the scythe trade union founded in 1604 characterised the region around Kirchdorf and Micheldorf. The Kremstal railway from 1881 connected the town to new economic routes; it promoted industrial companies such as the cement works and strengthened Kirchdorf as a regional centre. In 1975, the town was finally elevated to city status - a visible sign of its growing importance.
Today, Kirchdorf an der Krems lies at the heart of the 360° Alpenland, between the Kalkalpen National Park and the mountains between Pyhrn and Priel. History is not only reflected here in walls and towers, but also in living culture: in the parish church, in the townscape, in traditional businesses. If you walk through the alleyways, you will find traces of markets, uprisings and new beginnings. Kirchdorf combines past and present - as a town in Upper Austria that recognises its roots and consciously takes its place in the Alps.
Interesting facts about the town of Kirchdorf an der Krems in 360° Alpenland
Market square and morning light. Krems and culture. - Kirchdorf an der Krems combines urban life with proximity to the mountains between Pyhrn and Priel. As the district capital in the heart of Upper Austria, it is a hub between the Kalkalpen National Park, the Krems Valley and the Alps to the south. This is where a rich history meets contemporary infrastructure - manageable, lively and open to guests in 360° Alpenland.
Traces of time and craftsmanship. Change and continuity. - First mentioned in a document in 903, Kirchdorf developed from a market town with barch weavers and scythe smiths to a modern district capital. The town's coat of arms is a reminder of these roots. Anyone walking through the alleyways will encounter history not in a museum, but in the townscape.
Music and encounters. Stage and customs. - Kirchdorf offers concerts, town festivals and regional events that reflect the cultural life of Upper Austria. Clubs, musical traditions and seasonal markets characterise the year. Here, culture is driven by people, not by big productions.
Tower and tympanum. Space and perspective. - The late Gothic parish church with its striking tower characterises the townscape. The historic market square is lined with town houses from different eras. Fountains, chapels and small details tell of everyday life in past centuries.
Along the river and with great views. - The Kremstal cycle path connects Kirchdorf with the surrounding villages and opens up views towards the foothills of the Alps. Ambitious cyclists can combine routes in the direction of the Kalkalpen National Park or Steyr. Cycling holidays and city breaks can be easily combined here.
Inn and café. Regional and honest. - Inns, cafés and small businesses focus on Upper Austrian cuisine and regional products. From classic roast pork to sweet specialities, the culinary signature of the Alpine region is evident here - down-to-earth and contemporary.
City and expanse. Proximity and horizon. - Kirchdorf combines culture, history and nature in a small area. Between the Kalkalpen National Park, Bad Hall and the mountains to the south, this is Upper Austria that does not separate city and countryside - but lives together.