Sankt Marienkirchen an der Polsenz: Cider Culture, Fruit Growing and Trails

When planning a trip to Sankt Marienkirchen an der Polsenz, local history, cider and fruit culture sit alongside trails with their own starting points or destinations. The Samarein Way of St. James begins at the market square, the Roman Road leads to a Roman milestone, and the Obst-Hügel-Land cycle route connects two municipalities. The parish church, cider museum and fruit garden each offer their own focus.

Market Square and Local History

The Samarein Way of St. James begins at the market square in Sankt Marienkirchen an der Polsenz; parking is available at the municipal centre. The parish church of “The Assumption of Mary” dates from the 15th century. This places a specific starting point for the trail alongside a distinct historical connection. For your planning, these are two different points of interest: the start of a pilgrimage route and the history of a church building.

Cider Museum and Cider Culture

The St. Marienkirchen Cider Museum is housed in the preserved rooms of a former granary belonging to the parish, around 300 years old. Exhibits include fruit mills, presses, barrels and a “Roßwalzel” from past centuries. The objects give cider and fruit culture a specific focus: mills and presses represent processing, while barrels were used for storage. The museum thus combines the history of the granary building with a collection of historic equipment. A tasting glass of Samarein cider is included with a museum visit. As tasting arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Fruit Varieties and Pruning

The St. Marienkirchen/P. fruit garden features more than 100 apple varieties and nearly 70 pear varieties, and the collection continues to grow. These two figures show the focus on apples and pears. There is also a trail about fruit tree pruning, with six information boards. This puts varietal diversity and tree care side by side as distinct topics. Fruit tree pruning means carefully cutting back fruit trees; the trail therefore covers a practical aspect of fruit growing, while the collection of varieties highlights the diversity of the fruit.

Cycle Route, Roman Road and Protected Landscape

The 37 km-long Obst-Hügel-Land cycle route (N1) connects the nature park municipalities of Scharten and Sankt Marienkirchen an der Polsenz. As its length and route may change, check the latest route information before setting off. The Roman Road passes through the forest to a Roman milestone. The routes have different focuses: the N1 emphasises cycling and the connection between two municipalities, while the Roman Road leads to a historical destination.

The “Naturpark Obst-Hügel-Land” protected landscape covers 26 km² and lies within the municipalities of Scharten and Sankt Marienkirchen an der Polsenz. It was designated a protected landscape in 2005. The area thus spans both municipalities; its scale differs from that of an individual trail with its own starting point or destination.

Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests

Would you most like to learn about local history and cider culture, explore fruit varieties and pruning, or include a particular route in your plans? Your answer helps you organise the different topics around your interests and gives your search for a hotel for your stay a concrete starting point.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Stroheim, Alkoven, Pupping, Scharten, Haibach ob der Donau, Fraham, Hartkirchen, Aschach an der Donau.

Back to the regional travel overview: Eferding.