The best MTB trails around Ardning

Delicious food and drinks

The Lauferbauer Bridge is a listed historical monument, a road crossing over the Enns River in the Gesäuse region, connecting the village of Weng im Gesäuse with the municipality of Admont. Only a few Enns bridges built using traditional methods remain. The force of the river takes its toll on the bridge piers and the driven piles. In 2003, the authorities decided to rebuild the dilapidated but historically protected bridge using the old timber construction method, without steel girders or concrete piers. This required 400 cubic meters of durable fir and larch wood. The longitudinal girders, in particular, presented a challenge due to their dimensions: enormous fir trees were painstakingly brought down from the highlands to the valley. This ancient timber construction technique is documented in the archives; such "Enns trees" were already being used for bridge construction 400 years ago. Visiting Austria's largest wooden bridge and enjoying the view of the Gesäuse National Park from the bridge is well worth the trip. However, just 13 years later, in 2017, the bridge had to be rebuilt once again. The reason: instead of robust larch wood, the less suitable fir wood was used. The municipality of Admont was left to bear the costs of the reconstruction. Both the planning office commissioned for the bridge construction and the construction company have since gone bankrupt. The financial damage was estimated at €450,000, but this figure has now been reduced. Fortunately, after the demolition of the Lauferbauer Bridge, it turned out that the underlying girders were still fully functional. Reconstruction work began on May 8th with the installation of the new steel girders. The remaining wooden structure was scheduled to take another four weeks to complete. The renovated Lauferbauer Bridge was reopened to public traffic on June 12, 2017, with a weight restriction of up to twelve tons (Source: https://www.ennstalwiki.at/wiki/index.php/Lauferbauerbr%C3%BCcke

The view is magnificent.

The **Assumption of Mary Collegiate and Parish Church** in **Spital am Pyhrn** is an impressive religious building with a rich history. Here are some interesting facts about the church: 1. **History**: - The church is dedicated to the **Assumption of Mary** and was originally a Gothic church that was remodeled over the centuries. - It was built in the **16th century** as part of the collegiate chapter and has experienced a varied history, including the dissolution of the chapter by Emperor Franz II/I. 2. **Architecture**: - The church features **Baroque** elements, visible in the design of the façade and the interior. - Particularly noteworthy are the ornate altars and the impressive ceiling frescoes, which underline the spiritual atmosphere of the place. 3. **Location**: - Spital am Pyhrn is located at an elevation of **640 m** in the **Traunviertel** district, providing a picturesque backdrop for the church. 4. **Services**: - The parish church offers regular **services**, including: - **Sundays and Public Holidays**: **9:00 a.m.** - **Fridays and Saturdays**: **7:00 p.m.** - Additional services are held on special occasions, such as the high feasts of Easter. 5. **Parish Life**: - The church plays a central role in the spiritual life of the community and is a venue for various events and festivals. The Collegiate and Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary is a fascinating example of the connection between history, art, and spirituality in Spital am Pyhrn.

Here is a description of the church in Spital am Pyhrn. The Spital am Pyhrn Collegiate Church, also known as the "Pyhrn Cathedral," is an outstanding example of Baroque architecture and a significant cultural heritage site in Upper Austria. This impressive church, officially consecrated on the Assumption of Mary, was originally part of a collegiate foundation and later became a parish church. Particularly noteworthy are the elaborate decorations on its walls and the lavish interior decorations, created by prominent Austrian Baroque artists. These create a stunning harmony and make the collegiate church a true work of art. The wooden pews in the nave invite you to linger. The church is generally open to visitors during the day, although the gate remains closed during services to protect the interior.

Windischgarsten is a gem! Take a relaxing walk.

A gem on the border with Styria. Take the time for a moment of silence!

Good tip to end the tour with a good meal