© Stadtgemeinde Bruck an der Mur © Stadtgemeinde Bruck an der Mur
Urban hotspots from Bruck to Mariazell

The towns and cities of Hochsteiermark

Cities are great places to explore. Especially if they are as clean and green as those in Hochsteiermark! After all, the region’s charming towns and cities are all surrounded by splendid nature.

Seize the chance to stroll past the magnificent Old Town houses of Bruck an der Mur or visit the museums of Mürzzuschlag. Or how about a shopping spree in the picturesque town of Kindberg? Whichever urban hotspot you decide upon – every one of them is full of lovely cafés and restaurants for enjoyable breaks. For instance, you can sample the region’s traditional delicacies during lunch at one of the many local inns. In addition to culinary and cultural highlights, you can also find shopping options in the towns and villages of Hochsteiermark.

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By the river and the mountains

Bruck an der Mur

Bruck is one of Austria’s oldest cities. As the name “an der Mur” suggests, it is located right by Styria’s largest river, the Mur. From Schlossberg,which is quick and easy to reach on foot, you enjoy splendid views of the charming Old Town and the surrounding area. Plus, Kultur Beisl am Berg at the top of Schlossberg is a nice place to have a cup of coffee or a snack.

Also make sure to take a city stroll to see the magnificent Gothic Kornmesserhaus, the Eiserne Brunnen (Iron Well) and other impressive buildings!

Steel and knights

Kapfenberg

Just around the corner from Bruck is Kapfenberg. The city is known as an important site of the stainless-steel industry. Consequently, twelve market-leading global enterprises, including voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl, have chosen Kapfenberg as their business location. The city is popular with shopping enthusiasts as well as nature lovers, with the surrounding nature only a five-minute drive away. The local landmark, Oberkapfenberg Castle, hosts a fascinating exhibition on crusaders and alchemists, called “Grenzgänge”. The city also boasts plenty of options for culture lovers, including the ChillHill event series in summer, which is perfect for a bit of dancing, philosophising, eating and – of course – chilling. 

Railway history and more

Mürzzuschlag

Mürzzuschlag is located along the UNESCO World Heritage Semmering railway. In addition to great shopping options, the city offers a number of fascinating museums, including SÜDBAHN Museum, WinterSportMuseum, kunstaus muerz and Brahms-Museum. In Mürzzuschlag, you can find historic as well as modern-day highlights, for instance the Ratsburg, the Heilandskirche parish church at Ölberg and the contemporary Kunsthaus.

Shopping and sweet temptations

Kindberg

Kindberg is located in the heart of the Mürz Valley’s “Streuobst” region. The charming “town with a heart“ boasts a pretty Old Town and numerous family-run specialist shops, where you can experience fantastic in-store advice. If you have a sweet tooth, Kindberg will be just the place for you, with four cafés and pastry shops offering sweet temptations along a 200-metre stretch of the Old Town.

Right at the centre, you can also find the city’s landmark. The Guild Tree is about 30 metres high and features symbols of various professions, a depiction of a wedding couple and more.

Popular pilgrimage site

Mariazell

The small town of Mariazell is well-known among pilgrims. With its Magna Mater Austriae statue at the famous Basilika Mariä Geburt (Basilica of the Birth of the Virgin Mary), it is Austria’s most important pilgrimage site. For many pilgrims from Austria’s neighbouring countries in Eastern Europe, the basilica is the final destination of a long hike. Talking about hiking: Mariazell is also the end point of the popular star-shaped “Mariazellerwege” trail network. At the end of your hike, you can reward yourself at one of the many cafés and restaurants in the basilica’s surroundings.

If you would like to find out more about herbal liquor or gingerbread, we recommend joining a guided tour of Likörmanufaktur Arzberger or erLebzelterei Pirker or visiting Apotheke zur Gnadenmutter pharmacy.

Get to know the regions of Hochsteiermark