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Murau: A forgotten gem in the Mur ValleyIt is one of the strongest believes behind this website that travelling should go beyond the most popular tourist destinations and that locals are often the best-suited people for guiding you to the hidden treasures. One such treasure widely neglected by international visitors of Austria is the ancient town of Murau at the onset of the Mur River Valley. The town centre is small, medieval, pretty and easily explored by just walking around for a while. Yet there’s many small corners and certain spots worth stopping by. The Schiller Square or Schillerplatz is at the core of the centre and triangular in shape. In the Annakirche (“Anna’s Church”) you can marvel at late 14th century frescos and Gothic interiors. Nearby is the parish church St Matthew (Pfarrkirche St Matthäus) alongside with an associated charnel house. The latter one contains some more 14th century frescos as well as a wild array of skulls and bones. Famous Frescos of MurauIn the church you will find more frescos, some of which refer to the local noblemen of Liechtenstein. This local sideline of the dynasty that still rules over its own strange little principality became extinct in the 16th century, its most famous member being Ulrich von Liechtenstein. Inspired by an enormous tournament organised in Friesach by the Babenberg Duke Leopold VI of Austria in 1224, the courtly poet Ulrich wrote a series of epic poems on the event, which is considered to be among the most important pieces of medieval literature that originates in Austria. In Murau, Ulrich built the castle Schloss Obermurau in 1250. After the local house of Liechtenstein had become extinct with the death of Christoph von Liechtenstein in 1580, the house of Schwarzenberg took over the premises. Just like the surviving line of the Liechtensteins, the Schwarzenbergs are still among the wealthiest families of Central Europe and still possess the castle. Therefore, access to the building is limited to guided tours and you are advised to arrange one in advance. More Murau Sightseeing & SurroundingsIf the Princes of Esterhazy got their riches through loyalty to the Habsburgs against revolutionary Hungarian nobility and the Princes of Liechtensteins for their share in suppressing the Czech, the Princes of Schwarzenberg were leading figures in the Habsburg’s endeavours of the counter-reformation that took place all over Styria in the 17th and 18th century. To aid them, they called in all kinds of orders, resulting in a high density of Baroque monasteries in Styria and the South of Lower Austria. This applies also to the Capuchin Church or Kapuzinerkirche, although the Capuchins are generally not famed for splendid architecture or a prominent share in counter-reformation. The oldest church of Murau, however, is the Ägydikirche Church that dates back to the 12th century and contains yet another array of frescos. To learn more about the moved history of Murau, the Mur Valley and the trade between Italy and Central Europe (for which Murau was a hub during the Middle Ages), go to the Heimatmuseum or Town Museum. It will also tell you more about the two local Princes. Finish the tour in a local pub – the Murauer Bier from the local brewery is served all over Styria and known in all of Austria. Nearby attractions include the Benedictine abbey of Lambrecht. The towns of Friesach and Judenburg are not too far. Attractive spots a bit further away would be Leoben and Eisenerz, Bruck and der Mur, Gurk or the former abbey of Seckau. Road connections to the Styrian part of the Salzkammergut are also fairly good, especially Bad Aussee and Hallstatt. Sightseeing by Austrian ProvinceBregenz and Vorarlberg - Innsbruck and Tyrol - Salzburg - Salzkammergut - Graz and Styria - Klagenfurt and Carinthia - Wachau and Lower Austria - Vienna - Burgenland Further Reading |
