Suben between Abbey History and the Inn

Suben combines a distinctive location on the Inn with traces of abbey history and several specific routes and travel connections. The abbey stands on a gravel terrace on the Inn’s eastern bank, on a naturally protected peninsula formed by the deeply incised Subener Bach and the Inn. The river, stream and abbey complex thus give the place clear geographical reference points. If you are looking for a hotel in Suben, start by considering the purpose of your trip: are you particularly interested in architectural history, places of remembrance, a route, the bay or a stop along the way?

Abbey History and Historical Traces

Suben Parish Church was formerly an abbey church. After the original Romanesque basilica was demolished, the church was rebuilt between 1766 and 1770. The foundations of the former basilica can be seen in the southern side chapel of the parish church. This places the visible trace of the Romanesque predecessor building in a direct relationship with the 18th-century structure. Its former function as an abbey church adds a connection to the abbey’s history to this architectural layering of periods.

The Marian column was restored in 2008 and moved to the park at the municipal offices. The French Cross commemorates a cemetery established in Suben in 1809 for many French soldiers and caregivers who had died in the surrounding communities. The Bräu Chapel may date from the period when the monastery brewery was revived in 1757; this dating remains a possibility. The historical references differ: 1757 marks the revival, 1766 to 1770 the rebuilding of the church, 1809 the cemetery, and 2008 the restoration and relocation of the Marian column.

The Inn, the Bay and the Routes

The Suben Bay is a reservoir formed by damming the Inn. In the winter months, it is suitable for ice stock sport. The bay thus combines a clear connection to the river with a seasonal activity; winter is the specific time of year for this sporting occasion.

The Innviertel Way of St James follows the Via Nova pilgrimage route as far as Suben. After the Schärding-Suben border airfield, the Lindetwald Trail branches off at a junction onto hiking trail No. 5. If you are looking for a pilgrimage route, the first connection is the relevant one; if you are interested in hiking trail No. 5, the Lindetwald Trail’s branch-off is the one to note. This makes it possible to distinguish the information according to your interest in each route, without equating the two routes.

Travel Connections and Airfield

Suben is a convenient stop for both travellers on the A8 motorway and cyclists on the “Lower Inn” cycle path. If you are travelling along either of these routes, you can include Suben as a possible stop in your plans. According to the operator’s information (as of 2026), Schärding-Suben airfield is a civil airfield for recreational aviation in the Upper Austrian Innviertel; the flight school offers various training courses and licences. Check the current offering again before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sankt Aegidi, Sankt Roman, Zell An Der Pram, Sankt Willibald, Vichtenstein, Rainbach Im Innkreis, Wesenufer, Kopfing Im Innkreis.

Back to the main travel overview: Schärding.