Stillfried

Stillfried combines a long archaeological history with scenic views of the March. The town was an economic, political and religious centre at the crossroads of two trade routes. When planning your stay, you can focus on two highlights: the Bronze Age settlement and finds from various periods, as well as hiking trails and nature watching in the surrounding area. This lets you tailor your stay to your interests in local history, museums or the landscape.

Archaeological traces in Stillfried

The Stillfried fortification is one of eastern Austria’s most significant archaeological sites. A fortified settlement from the Late Urnfield period stood on the hill above the town. It is dated to 900–750 BC and covered almost 23 hectares. This highlights both the date and the size of this Bronze Age settlement. The hill above the town and the fortification are among Stillfried’s most distinctive archaeological features.

The Stillfried Museum – Centre of Prehistory presents archaeological finds from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, all of which come from the Stillfried area. The collection therefore spans several periods. Notable finds include charred pips from cultivated grapes dating to the 9th century BC. They come from Stillfried and are the oldest of their kind in Austria. Their date adds to the picture of the Bronze Age settlement: the pips date to the 9th century BC, while the fortified settlement is dated to 900–750 BC.

The museum offers a themed guided tour, both indoors and outdoors, about the Bronze Age hillfort on the Amber Road. If you are planning to take this tour, check the booking conditions with the museum in advance. Children can take part in a Betty Bernstein treasure hunt at the Stillfried Centre of Prehistory.

The museum is 300 m from Stillfried railway station. The March hiking trail and the Danube floodplain hiking trail also begin at the station. The station is therefore a shared reference point for the museum’s location and the starting points of both trails.

Trails along the March and through the countryside

Stillfried has extensive woodland and views stretching as far as the Little Carpathians. The March hiking trail begins at Stillfried railway station. After about 400 m, it reaches an oxbow of the March in a nature reserve that is home to numerous waterbirds. Many storks and herons can be spotted along the trail; beavers are also found there. This makes the trail especially interesting if you would like to focus on the river landscape and its wildlife.

The Danube floodplain hiking trail also starts at the station and is signposted throughout. It follows an oxbow of the March for about 300 m before reaching the flood protection embankment. The panoramic hiking trail passes the historic rectory and leads to a fortified church that is visible from far away. The trails have different highlights: the March hiking trail focuses on the oxbow and waterbirds, the Danube floodplain hiking trail follows a stretch of riverbank to the embankment, and the panoramic hiking trail leads to historic buildings. You can choose according to whether nature watching or historic sights matter more to you during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Velm-Götzendorf, Prottes, Ringelsdorf-Niederabsdorf, Sierndorf an der March, Marchegg, Untersiebenbrunn, Ebenthal, Angern an der March

For the overview of the wider region: Gänserndorf.