Discover Hochburg

Hochburg is connected with the life and work of Franz Xaver Gruber: the composer of the Christmas carol “Silent Night, Holy Night” was born on 25 November 1787 at Steinpointsölde in the parish of Hochburg. This cultural theme can be explored from other perspectives too: the parish church encompasses several periods of construction, the Obermühle local history museum preserves evidence of rural life and work, and walking and cycling routes add a scenic dimension. If you are looking for a hotel in Hochburg, these themes can help you get your bearings as you plan your stay.

Franz Xaver Gruber and the Memorial House

The Franz Xaver Gruber Memorial House is dedicated to the composer and provides information about his life. It also covers the creation and spread of “Silent Night.” A loom from Gruber’s birthplace is housed in the memorial house; Gruber learned the weaving trade on this loom. This particular object connects his biography with a craft he practised during his life. The loom’s origins and Gruber’s training are thus directly linked. The house also illustrates the former rural way of life and work. Its scope therefore ranges from Gruber’s biography and the history of the carol to rural work and domestic life.

Church, Fountain, and Rural Life

Hochburg Parish Church brings together two historical reference points: its oldest part, the presbytery, dates from the 12th century, while the current parish church dates from the mid-15th century. This makes it possible to distinguish the oldest section from the present-day church in terms of their dates. The Johannes Fountain is located at the foot of Hochburg church hill. The Obermühle local history museum focuses on something different, preserving a mill installation, a small mill room, a little kitchen, and other historical evidence of rural life and work. The mill equipment and kitchen show different aspects of country life. Moving from the church to the local history museum changes the perspective: from a historic religious building to the objects and rooms of rural everyday life.

Walking and Cycling Routes

The Franz Xaver Gruber Trail connects nature and art in the Hochburg landscape. The approximately one-hour circular trail features seven sculptures. The approximately one-hour circular trail of the Franz Xaver Gruber Memorial House is partially accessible to people with limited mobility. These features can be considered separately when choosing a route: seven sculptures on the Franz Xaver Gruber Trail, and partial accessibility on the memorial house trail. This offers both a connection with art and nature and practical route information to help with planning.

There are also specific local points of interest for cyclists. The Ibmer Moor Cycle Route passes through the centre of Hochburg; a variant of the Tauern Cycle Route also runs through the town centre. In the municipality of Hochburg-Ach, walks along the Salzach invite visitors to relax. Hochburg-Ach is also the starting and finishing point for cycling-tour stages to Passau and Salzburg along the Salzach and the Inn. When planning your stay, you can therefore decide whether to focus on cycling routes in Hochburg town centre or on the municipality’s broader leisure opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Moosdorf, Gilgenberg Am Weilhart, Auerbach, Lengau, Wimpassing, Sankt Georgen Am Fillmannsbach, Kirchberg Bei Mattighofen, Polling Im Innkreis.

Go to the regional travel overview: Braunau Am Inn.