Pöggstall: Castle History, Printmaking and Hiking Trails

Pöggstall brings together castle history, printmaking and a range of ways to explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. When planning your trip, you can weigh the castle’s cultural attractions against different kinds of walking routes: a circular hike and a pilgrimage route with a named destination. This can help you decide which interests you want to shape your stay as early as when choosing your destination.

Pöggstall Castle and its Cultural History

Pöggstall Castle was originally built as a moated castle in the 13th century. Its courtyard and arcades feature Renaissance elements. The barbican is considered unique in Austria and a rarity throughout Europe due to its size and original condition. Together, these features offer different ways to explore the site: its original architectural form, the design of the courtyard and arcades, and the barbican’s special status.

Around 1480, Caspar von Rogendorf had the Church of St. Gilgen built beside the castle as its castle and burial church. The Franz Traunfellner documentation is also housed in the castle, spread across four rooms. It presents prints and paintings. Tools, an intaglio press, a lithographic press, a short film and photographs offer insights into printmaking techniques and the setting in which Traunfellner lived. The focus is therefore not only on the works themselves, but also on the artist’s tools and life.

Another aspect of the region’s cultural history is the Museum of Legal History. Since 2018, a visit to the torture chamber has been included as part of a cultural interpretation program. If this particular part is important to your plans, check the current tour arrangements in advance.

Compare Hiking Trails and Tours

Pöggstall Castle is the starting point for nine marked hiking trails. The Wirt’n Weg starts at the barbican and is an 18.77-kilometre circular hike with cultural, historical and geological highlights. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

A 15-kilometre pilgrimage route leads from Pöggstall via Neukirchen to the pilgrimage church of Maria Taferl. Bright yellow signposts with a basilica symbol mark the route; check the markings on site. The two routes differ in length and course: the Wirt’n Weg is a circular hike, while the pilgrimage route has a specific destination in Maria Taferl. At 18.77 kilometres, the Wirt’n Weg is 3.77 kilometres longer.

There is also a specific option for cyclists: the Southern Waldviertel cycling route recommends Pöggstall as a rest stop. This provides another reason to consider the town when planning your trip, alongside its hiking options.

Churches in and near Pöggstall

Just outside Pöggstall, the Church of St. Anna im Felde stands on a hill surrounded by the Weitenbach stream. The Gothic building dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. If you would like to include this site in your plans, check the current access arrangements before your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Braunegg, Zelking, Sankt Leonhard am Forst, Bergland, Schönbühel An Der Donau, Marbach An Der Donau, Kilb, Yspertal

Go to the main travel overview: Melk.