Guided tours through the historic Oberwölz in German
Wednesdays
Until 28. August 2024, every Wednesday, starting from the brass band museum at 10.00 o'clock, an approx. 1-hour children's city tour with the title "Of the dentures in the city gate and rich people" takes place. The children are introduced to a piece of history and culture during this tour. These children's tours are free of registration, if you would like to participate, just come. Accompanying adults are also welcome!
Group tours
Groups/bus groups are welcome to book a historical city tour with advance notice at +43 3581 7366.
Become part of a piece of history and culture on a guided tour through the beautiful town of Oberwölz. Guides will show you the highlights and great places of Oberwölz.
A HISTORICAL TOWN TELLS OF ITS HISTORY
Oberwölz and its surroundings belonged to the diocese of Freising in Bavaria from 1007 to 1803.
The settlement was located at the beginning/end of the Alpine crossing over the Glattjoch, which for centuries was an important trade route within Styria, but also between Bavaria and Italy. In 1305 Oberwölz already had the town charter. In the same year, the town fortification is also documented, of which three town gates and a large part of the defense wall are still preserved.
In the Middle Ages, about 2000 people lived within the town walls. Many of them found work in the numerous craft workshops and taverns, as long-distance trade caused a lively coming and going even then. For this reason, the citizens achieved prosperity and prestige, which can still be seen today in the appearance of the main square: Although the orientation of the houses - the eaves side has been facing the square for a long time - is no longer preserved in its original form, the largely seamless juxtaposition of the buildings reveals their medieval origins.
In fact, the ground floor of all the houses around the main square dates back to the 15th/16th century: behind the mostly semicircular front doors are mighty barrel vaults and thick stone walls. The oldest building substance is preserved in the house "Zum Platzschuster" on the right opposite the plague column; it is the only building on the main square with a Gothic pointed arch portal.
In recent years, it has been possible to renovate some old town houses in a way that preserves the façade and to put them to modern use, such as the "Speikerhaus", the municipal office, the former Freisinger Amtshaus and the JUFA Hotel. However, these houses have a very interesting past, which visitors can learn about on guided tours of the town or read about for themselves in various brochures published by the tourist board.
Due to a local grocer, a gas station, inns and several cafes, the main square of Oberwölz is always lively, which is especially emphasized in the summer months by the lively activity in the guest gardens.
Guests will find ample parking immediately in front of, but also within the town, to pay a visit to the historic center or one of the museums. The square is closed off to the north by the Schöttl Gate and to the south by the massive city parish church of St. Martin, so it can occasionally be used in its entirety for events.