Enns: Roman Era, Churches and Old Town

Enns can be explored through various historical periods: from Roman Lauriacum and medieval rights and buildings to Renaissance, Baroque and Gründerzeit architecture in the old town. If you are looking for hotels in Enns, your planned focus can help you decide where to stay: Would you like to visit museums, include churches and architecture, or plan a guided tour during your stay? The following places and experiences differ not only in subject matter, but also, in some cases, in their stated duration.

Roman Traces and City History

Museum 1212 Enns traces the city's development through to the present day in eight rooms at Ennsegg Castle. Multimedia stations and immersive rooms are part of the presentation. The account begins with the Georgenberg Compact of 1186; the municipal charter granted to the city of Enns in 1212 is also presented. The two years therefore represent different milestones: 1186 marks the starting point of the museum's account, while 1212 marks the municipal charter.

The Lauriacum Museum highlights the monumental building inscription of the Lauriacum legionary camp. Other Roman traces can be seen beneath the Basilica of St. Lawrence: the oldest walls uncovered in the excavations there date from Roman times. Finds include fragments of frescoes, a votive stone and a relief stone built into a wall, depicting sacrificial scenes. Roman history can therefore be encountered both in the museum exhibition and at the excavations beneath the basilica.

Old Town, Town Tower and Churches

The town tower, nearly 60 metres high, was built by the townspeople between 1564 and 1568 as a bell and watchtower. The gallery is reached by 157 steps. The houses in Enns's old town also reflect a particular period: most date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Gothic door and window surrounds, Renaissance sgraffito ornaments, Baroque stucco and Gründerzeit friezes have been preserved in the townscape. These varied architectural features make the old town another focus alongside the Roman sites.

The parish church of Enns-St. Marien is an important 14th-century mendicant church and has served as Enns's parish church since the 16th century. The Frauen Tower houses the former Johanniter Chapel, with early 14th-century wall paintings in mixed media. A pilgrims' hospice was built in Enns between 1326 and 1338, and the chapel in the Frauen Tower was part of it. The historic connection to pilgrimage is also specific: Enns lay on the European Way of St. James, which at the time continued west through Switzerland, France and northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela.

Guided Tours and City Discovery Trails

The Classic City Tour lasts 90 minutes and takes you through Enns's old town. Its stops include the parish church of St. Mary with the Wallsee Chapel. A two-hour tour of the Roman settlement of Lauriacum and the legio II Italica stationed there offers a different focus. In terms of duration, the classic city tour is the shorter of these two options. A guided tour of the Basilica of St. Lawrence gives an overview of more than 1,700 years of religious life. Tours of Ennsegg Castle show the interior of the Renaissance building, decorated with frescoes and stucco work, as well as the tower and the Baroque castle chapel. Check tour dates and booking conditions in advance.

The Enns City Discovery Trail begins at the Basilica of St. Lawrence, passes through the former Roman legionary camp of Lauriacum to the banks of the Enns, and then follows the river promenade into the old town. The IVV City Discovery Trail has more than 25 information stations. The route description for the Enns City Discovery Trail specifies a set sequence of places; for guided tours, their duration and thematic focus offer practical help with planning.

Getting to the Main Square

ÖBB trains and Postbus coaches stop directly at Enns's main square, opposite the museum. From Enns railway station, you can reach the main square via Westbahnstraße, Lorcherstraße and Mauthausnerstraße. Before travelling, check the timetable and the latest route and local transport information against your travel plans. This way, you can take these points of reference into account while planning your stay around the museums, churches, historic buildings or guided tours.

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