Steyr
Holidays in the romantic town of Steyr combine city life with a wide landscape - in the middle of 360° Alpine country in Upper Austria. Between Enns and Steyr, narrow alleyways, town houses and the historic town square tell of over 1,000 years of history. Cafés open their doors to the water, small shops and museums provide an insight into craftsmanship and the present.
Nature begins just a few steps away: cycle paths lead along the rivers, hikes on the Damberg or towards the Kalkalpen National Park combine a cultural trip with a nature holiday in a short distance. Anyone strolling through Steyr will sense this special interplay - urban flair, the sound of the river and the view of the mountains to the south.
This makes a stay in Steyr more than just a city holiday. It becomes a time-out in the heart of Upper Austria, where culture, enjoyment and exercise naturally come together.
When the scent of punch wafts through Steyr's old town centre and brass bands play from the town hall, Advent begins in 360° Alpenland. Between historic alleyways, the Christkindl post office and living traditions, you can experience Upper Austria from its quiet side. Culture, crafts and encounters come together to create a time to remember - right in the heart of the city.
The history of the town of Steyr is closely linked to its location at the confluence of the Enns and Steyr rivers. An important trading centre in Upper Austria developed here as early as the Middle Ages. Its favourable location on important transport routes and access to "Innerberg iron" from the Alpine region made Steyr a centre of iron processing and long-distance trade. Traders brought weapons, tools and metal goods as far as southern Germany and the Danube region.
Steyr was first mentioned in documents in the 10th century and town rights have been documented since the 13th century. A wealthy bourgeoisie developed around today's town square, building magnificent town houses. The Gothic Bummerlhaus still bears witness to this heyday today. Town fires, most notably the one in 1727, changed the townscape forever, but also led to new baroque buildings such as Lamberg Castle in its present form.
In modern times, industrialisation shaped development. With the founding of large companies, including Steyr-Daimler-Puch, the city became an important industrial centre in Austria. Alongside industry, craftsmanship remained alive - from scythe forging to jaw harps.
Today, Steyr combines over 1,000 years of history with contemporary culture. The historic old town, museums and traditional events make the past visible - embedded in the landscape of the Alpine country, where nature and the city have always been intertwined.