The sights to see in the
City of Bruck an der Mur
Architectural gems significant in terms of
cultural history in Styria.
1 The Wrought Iron Well on the main square in Bruck
2 The Kornmess Residence on the main square
3 The Castle Hill in Bruck the most splendid panorama of the city
4 City Hall and its Arcade Courtyard
5 The Marian Column on Bruck's main square
6 The Apothecary Building and its
magnificent interior courtyard
7 The Antauer Residence - one of the most
significant buildings
8 The Fabrizius Residence and its interior courtyard
9 The Parish Church
10 The Church of the Minorites dating from
the 13th century
11 The Baderhaus - former bathhouse
Bruck an der Mur –
the City in the Heart of Styria
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!
Bruck an der Mur with the Kornmess Residence, © Steininger
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.
Schlossberg with the clock tower, © Schiffer
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.
The City of Bruck an der Mur
and its History
The main square in Bruck an der Mur with its wrought
iron well, and the Kornmess Residence as a backdrop, are
just some of the numerous sights in the centuries-old city
of Bruck an der Mur worth seeing. Settlement activity
dating from the Stone Age is evidenced (tools were found
in what is now the part of town known as Pischk) and in
the 3rd century A.D. the first permanent settlement was
established near what is now Bruck, close to the Mürz
estuary with the Mur. Being located on the Roman road,
the settlement of "Poedicum", as Bruck was known then,
gained in importance. Parts of the Roman road may still be
seen today near the Roman Bridge in the part of town
known as Oberaich.
Bruck is first mentioned as "ad pruccam" in a document
dating from 860 A.D. and was first declared a city in 1263.
At that time the arrangement of the streets in the city
center was planned and many remain the same today as
they were over 750 years ago! In the centuries to follow
Bruck an der Mur gained more and more importance
through trade (the shipping industry on the Mur, salt
trade). The gothic architecture of the Kornmess Residence
(its present structure built at the end of the 15th century),
named after the tradesman and burgher of Bruck, Pankraz
Kornmeß, is a visible representation of the city's affluence
in the past. The Great Fire of 1792 destroyed nearly every
building in Bruck an der Mur and the years following were
marked both by reconstruction and the suffering of the
civilian population during the ensuing Napoleonic Wars.
Old roman bridge near Bruck an der Mur, © Steininger
The 20th century was overshadowed first and foremost by
the conflicts of the working population with
Austrofaschism, causing Bruck an der Mur to become one
of the major arenas for the Austrian Civil War, which took
place in February of 1934.
After the end of the Second World War in 1945 the city
emerged as one of the main driving forces in the industrial
development of the country, and was soon able to regain its
position as the most important city in the heart of Styria.
Bruck an der Mur became the administrative center of the
region, while enjoying the subsequent boom in trade and
industry.
Over the past few years, and having been affected by the
crises in the industrial sector during the 1980s and 1990s,
the city has been reestablishing itself as a residential town, a
center of services and leisure time activities. A great
number of tourist facilities and events have since been set
up; the regional offices of the regional tourism association,
Hochsteiermark, recently relocated here. Hence Bruck an
der Mur is undergoing a transformation from a wealthy
trading town to a residential town, a center of services and
a place to feel fine in the heart of Styria.
The sights to see in the
City of Bruck an der Mur
1 The Wrought Iron Well
W ell on the main square in Bruck.
Landmarks in the City
The Wrought Iron Well, its charm enhanced by the
Renaissance-style pergola perched on it as a crown, is one
of the most significant examples of wrought iron work in
Styria. It has been a landmark of prominence on the main
square of the city since the beginning of the 17th century.
An inscription on the well notes that it was erected in 1626.
Wrought Iron Well, © Schiffer
2 The Kornmess Residence on the main square.
square .
Landmarks in the City
is among the most exquisite secular buildings of the late
Gothic period in Austria. The Kornmess Residence on the
main square in Bruck, with its magnificent façade harking
back to Venetian architecture of old, is among the most
exquisite secular buildings of the late Gothic period in
Austria. It was built between 1495 and 1505 for the
hammer mill tradesman Pankraz Kornmeß, whose family
had been influential as building contractors and patrons in
the city of Bruck an der Mur since the 14th century. The
Kornmess Residence is the landmark of Bruck an der Mur,
which is why Bruck is referred to as The City of Kornmess.
The Kornmess Residence, © Steininger
View from the Castle Hill, © Steininger
3 The Castle Hill in Bruck.
Bruck .
The once mighty Castle of Landskron, which has existed
since at least the 13th century and was rebuilt during the
16th century, was completely destroyed by the devastating
Great Fire of 1792.
Today the remains of the walls encircle a romantic plateau
that offers a splendid view of the city and its surroundings from here you really have the most magnificent panorama
of the city. The Literature Pathway offers an enjoyable walk
of a different kind, taking you from the Church of the
Minorites up to the Castle Hill and back around to the city
museum.
4 City Hall and its Arcade Courtyard.
Courtyard.
Notable columned arcades
This building has served as Bruck's City Hall since October
1629. It combines the past and the present by linking the
artistic heritage of the city to its modern annex.
What is particularly worth seeing is the glass-roofed
courtyard and its three stories of columned arcades dating
from the 16th century united with the reconstruction
completed in 1998.
Arcade Courtyard, © Steininger
5 The Marian Column on Bruck's main square.
square .
Protection from plague, fires and floods
To appease God and to ward off plague, fires and floods
from the city, the citizens of Bruck erected a Marian
Column on Bruck's main square in the year 1710.
The statue of Maria Immaculata is poised in the center of
the arrangement high above the six patron saints Florian,
Sebastian, Joseph, John Nepomucene, Roch and Anthony
of Padua, safeguarding the city.
Marian Column, © Schiffer
The Church of the Holy Spirit - a unique triangular
architectural construction
construction.
truction.
th
Built in the 15 century, situated outside the City center,
for that reason not shown on the map
Originally built as a Trinity Church, it became a part of the
hospital for the plague in the 15th century.
One of a kind in all of Europe, the triangular architectural
construction was extensively restored at the initiative of the
Harnoncourt Family and with the support of the Austrian
Federal Government, the Province of Styria and the City of
Bruck. Currently not accessible to the public!
Apothecary Building, © Steininger
6 The Apothecary Building and its magnificent
interior
interior courtyard (Bruck's City Hall until 1623)
1623).
This building was Bruck's City Hall until 1623, before the
municipal authorities relocated to the neighboring building
due to lack of space.
There has been a pharmacy here continuously since 1715.
The magnificent two-story columned arcades in the
interior courtyard date from around 1530.
The building underwent general renovations in 2013 /2014
and now also serves as a residential building.
7 The Antauer Residence - one of the most
significant buildings.
buildings.
Secessionist façade - richly decorated
The three-story residential house and its richly decorated
secessionist façade is the eye-catcher on the southeastern
corner of the main square.
It was built in the years 1905/06 by Dr. Rudolf Grillitsch,
who had a private sanatorium installed in the first floor
that at the time was one of the most modern and advanced
institutions around.
Today it houses both offices and apartments.
Antauer Residence, © Steininger
Fabrizius Residence, © Steininger
8 The Fabrizius Residence
and its interior courtyard.
courtyard.
One of the oldest buildings on the main square
The Fabrizius Residence, named for hammer mill patrician
Georg Albinus Fabrizius, who lived here at the beginning of
the 17th century, is one of the oldest buildings on the main
square and one of the patrician houses which has retained
its original beauty.
In addition to the façade facing the square, what is most
worth seeing is the late Gothic period arcade courtyard that
is publicly accessible.
9 The Parish Church.
Church .
Late Gothic period masterpieces
and guided tours through the church
Built in the last quarter of the 13th century to replace a
Romanesque structure, the remains of which are still visible
under the steeple, the church harbors masterpieces of the
late Gothic period such as the casted stone Pietà, the
dodecagonal baptismal font or the exceptional filigreed
sacristy door adorned with decorative wrought iron
fittings. Guided tours through the church are regularly
given.
Information: Tourism Association Bruck an der Mur,
phone: +43 3862 890 1210
Parish Church, © Steininger
Church of the Minorites, © Steininger
10 The Church of the Minorites.
Minorites.
Dating from the 13th century
The Gothic structure converted to the Baroque style dating
from the 13th century is situated at the end of the pedestrian
district and is visible along the length of the lane,
Mittergasse. With a quite modest exterior befitting a
mendicant order, the church houses exceptional frescos of
great artistic quality, dating from around 1400, and an
altarpiece by Hans Adam Weißenkircher depicting St.
Anthony of Padua dating from around 1690. The Church
of the Minorites is also the starting point of the Literature
Pathway up to Bruck's Castle Hill.
Note: Generally only open during guided tours, the church
can be viewed during the daytime in the summer months.
11 The Baderhaus - former bathhouse.
bathhouse .
Dating from the 16th century
Unearthed during renovation work carried out in the year
2000, the former bathhouse, dating from the 16th century,
has two boiler foundations in good condition, water lines, a
domestic well, the remains of a central heating system as
well as of an oven that are still partially visible in the
restaurant itself.
The remains of the foundations of a previous building
located there in medieval times can be seen in the
showroom. Today the Baderhaus is home to a restaurant
and catering business.
Baderhaus, © Steininger