Hernstein: Pitch making, castle and trails

Hernstein combines a long history of pitch making with distinctive buildings and a short hike to Blasenkogel. This gives you different ways to shape your stay: the Pitch Museum introduces the region’s industrial history, St. Vincent’s Chapel adds its own architectural accent, and tours of Hernstein Castle showcase its magnificent rooms. If you would rather spend time on a trail, a short hike starts in Hernstein and leads to Blasenkogel via field, forest and woodland paths. You can tailor your stay to your interests, whether in cultural history, architecture or hiking.

The Pitch Museum and the history of pitch making

For almost 300 years, Hernstein and the surrounding villages were a heartland of commercial pitch making; a significant part of the population made their living from it. Its long history and importance to many people make this trade a central part of the region’s cultural history. In 1989, Pastor Prof. Rupert Marx established a small Pitch Museum. The almost 300 years refer to the long-standing importance of pitch making, while 1989 is the year the museum was established: these dates therefore offer two different perspectives on the subject. The Pitch Museum displays around 200 exhibits, including the most important tools used in the trade. The collection offers a tangible introduction alongside the broader historical context. The museum is open on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; visits can also be arranged by appointment through the municipal office. Check visiting hours before you travel.

Chapel, stone monuments and hiking

St. Vincent’s Chapel was built in 2002 along the Hernstein Pitch Maker’s Trail. It is a striking, open timber structure, with an interior that opens out towards the forest. Its design and orientation towards the forest go hand in hand: both the material and the open layout shape its architectural impression. Unlike the castle, whose tours showcase magnificent interiors, the chapel offers a different architectural accent.

The artificial stone monument “Old Grave” stands in Alkersdorf on Blasenkogel. A short hike titled “To the ‘Guggersteine’ Stone Monument” starts in Hernstein and leads to Blasenkogel via field, forest and woodland paths. The names refer to different things: “Old Grave” is an artificial stone monument, while Guggersteine appears in the hike’s title. This lets you distinguish between a specific monument and a short route that takes you along three different types of path.

Hernstein Castle and local history

Hernstein Castle acquired its present appearance through a 28-year renovation based on plans by Theophil Hansen. Tours introduce the history of the former hunting lodge of the Habsburg-Lorraine family and show its magnificent rooms. The two aspects complement each other: the renovation explains the architectural development of the building’s present appearance, while the tours focus on its former function and interiors. Check when tours are offered before you travel. Hernstein’s history is documented back to the end of the 11th century.

Discover more destinations: Siegenfeld, Berndorf, Weissenbach An Der Triesting, Kottingbrunn, Oberwaltersdorf, Blumau, Baden, Sooß.

Back to the regional travel overview: Baden.