Bruck an der Mur - the City in Styria
Holidays in Austria
New: Bruck an der Mur - a short trip (Video)
We had never imagined our first stay in Bruck an der Mur would be anything like this! It was something completely untypical for a trip to a city. We strolled away from the remarkably beautiful main square along a roadway to a path through the woods, landing a good two hours later at the summit of the Rennfeld mountain.
Once there, we were treated firsthand to a magnificent panorama high above the rooftops of the city. From Semmering and Peter Rosegger's woodland home, Waldheimat, to Mariazell; from the alpine pastures of Almenland to The Green Lake and its Hochschwab mountain range, and from the hills surrounding Graz to the glacial region of the Tauern – one of the most beautiful cities in Styria was waiting on us with one of the most splendid mountain panoramas that the east of Austria has to offer!
The small travel guide I had picked up at the tourist office in Bruck an der Mur hadn't steered me wrong when promising:
This is why Bruck an der Mur and its central location is the perfect starting point for a trip through the entire Hochsteiermark region and beyond. Bruck an der Mur, known as the City of Kornmess – reflecting the name of the town's landmark gothic structure, the Kornmess Residence – combines city living with the unspoiled Styrian mountain landscapes, blending urban culture with nature and recreation.
After enjoying sumptuous culinary delights at the mountain refuge we went back down the mountain and made our way to the historical downtown district of Bruck an der Mur. Now we wanted to put our little booklet to the test once again, since we'd read:
As one of the oldest cities in Austria, to say nothing of Styria, – it was first mentioned in the 9th century and became a city in 1263 – the town center of Bruck is home to countless architectural gems. The prosperous trading town has been able to benefit from its central location at the confluence of the rivers Mur and Mürz for centuries, and the historical buildings found here bear witness to the wealth of the city.
The city center, well worth seeing, is watched over by the easily accessible Schlossberg or castle hill with its distinctive clock tower, the observation point high above the city.
Once again we were pleasantly surprised, especially since touristy advertising materials always seem to tell tall tales about the sights worth seeing. Our leisure guide, as the little booklet is called, presents the city just as it really is: small and lovely, surrounded by rolling mountains and green forests, flanked by the two mightiest rivers in Styria.
Bruck an der Mur - the city near the water, the city near the mountains.
As has been mentioned, Bruck an der Mur lies at the junction of the two mightiest rivers in Styria: the Mur and the Mürz. Bruck an der Mur is also situated in the middle of the Styrian alpine world, surrounded by the Hochschwab region, Rosegger's woodland home, Waldheimat, the uplands of Graz with its mountain flume, the Bärenschützklamm, and mountains of the Mürz Valley.
So Bruck an der Mur had made it possible for us to enjoy a delightful hike followed by a pleasant stroll through the downtown district. But we could have gone hiking at the nearby Pogusch mountain pass to the Steirereck inn, or have taken cycling tour on the Mur Bike Trail. A trip to the breathtakingly beautiful Green Lake is a must-do when vacationing in Bruck an der Mur. And in the evening? Well, we were able to choose from award-winning cuisine, classic Styrian dishes or international dining from Italy, Greece or China.