I am a Murtaler – Startower

Visitors can see Judenburg's historic town tower from afar. On the way around Judenburg, you almost get the feeling that the great lord is watching everything in every direction. Whether towards the motorway or on the way down into the valley from the Seetal Alps, he greets everyone with a seemingly cheerful look. As a result, the star tower attracts many tourists every year - and not just because of its history, as it extends its feelers in both directions, past and present.

The Judenburg town tower was built as early as the 15th century. At that time, there were no excavators, cranes or lorries. A true masterpiece was built with painstaking labour. Unfortunately, it fell victim to serious fires in 1670, 1709, 1807 and 1840 and had to be rebuilt and restored each time. In the process, it was always rebuilt in a new shape. You can see how it has changed as you climb the 256 steps to the top of the star tower. 

It is apparently an irony of fate that the city tower was built as a fire watch tower. When it was built, the houses in the town were thatched and wooden and there was no electricity. Devastating fires broke out time and again. A fire watchman lived in the tower, keeping an eye on the town and raising the alarm immediately in the event of fire or attack. Until around 85 years ago, the last family of fire wardens lived in what is now the Sternenturm. Two of their sons still live in Judenburg today and proudly tell their stories from the tower.

In 2006, Austria's most modern planetarium was built under the roof truss of the planetarium. The dome onto which the films are projected had to be attached to steel cables. When the bell rings, the old walls of the 76 metre high tower move and a brick dome would crack.

Using state-of-the-art Zeiste technology, the films are projected onto the dome and inspire with a wide variety of themes. Whether children's films, films about astronaut technology or from the deepest ocean, the music shows feature Pink Floyd and Queen.

Erlebnisregion Murtal: "What connects you to the Murtal?"
Startower: "A centuries-old history - I've experienced so much here, from the traders in the Middle Ages to the world wars and the many fantastic festivals that take place here."

Erlebnisregion Murtal: "When do you feel your heart beating in the Murtal?"
Startower: "I am the location of an annual Stiegenlauf. When the athletes run up my 256 steps, my heart beats just as fast as theirs."

Erlebnisregion Murtal: "Where is your favourite place in the Murtal?"
Startower: "I think the Zirbitz is particularly beautiful. It has an even wider view than I do"

Judenburger Stadtturm Betriebs GmbH & Co KG
Kirchplatz 1, 8750 Judenburg, Austria

Tel. 0043 3572/44088
planetarium@sternenturm.at