Leibnitz: Roman history, churches and southern Styrian wine country

Roman temple remains, churches from different eras and a learning trail with 31 themed stations give Leibnitz a multifaceted cultural profile. The area also offers landscapes along the Sulm and Laßnitz rivers and viewpoints with far-reaching vistas. During your stay, you can choose from a range of themes: archaeology, architectural history, wine, nature or a walk to a lookout tower.

Roman history at Frauenberg and in Flavia Solva

At Frauenberg, the Temple Museum traces 6,500 years of settlement history. The museum building stands on the foundations of the Isis-Noreia Temple, which are considered the oldest freestanding masonry in Styria. On display are the remains of a marble statue of Mercury, 17 sandstone statuettes of a nursing mother goddess and two Celtic gold coins. The remains of the Roman temple are about 2,000 years old; its masonry has been restored and the museum redesigned. Frauenberg is also home to one of the largest Celtic sanctuaries in the entire Eastern Alpine region.

Frauenberg is considered the birthplace and starting point of the Roman city of Flavia Solva, located in what is now Wagna. Flavia Solva is one of Styria’s most significant Roman archaeological sites. At the original site, the exhibition presents archaeological finds from more than 140 years of research. Information is available at several points; check the latest information about these points before your visit. At the Temple Museum, you can book one-hour guided tours on request, including outside opening hours.

Churches and architectural history

The Frauenberg pilgrimage church was first mentioned in historical records in 1170 and is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. Its notable features include frescoes and a Baroque organ dating from the 18th century. A pilgrimage with a procession, rosary prayer and Mass takes place there on the 13th of every month. If you would like to plan your visit around this date, check the latest date information beforehand. In Leibnitz itself, the town parish church of St. James is considered the oldest building; it was built about 850 years ago. It was originally a Romanesque hall church and a subsidiary church for the market town’s residents. A substantial choir tower was added in the first half of the 13th century—two distinct building phases that you can trace in a single structure.

Seggau Castle, lapidarium and wine

Seggau Castle sits on a gentle hill amid southern Styria’s wine country. Nearby, a unique lapidarium preserves evidence of Celtic and Roman times. The history of the castle also includes the Seggauer Liesl, Styria’s largest historic bell. The Baroque Episcopal wine cellar is one of the oldest and largest wine cellars in the region.

The Harkamp sparkling wine manufactory offers another perspective on wine and its production: in the more than 100-year-old wine cellar of Villa Hollerbrand, it introduces visitors to the world of wine and sparkling wine production. Tastings feature mineral-rich wines from Sausal and four sparkling wines made exclusively using the traditional bottle-fermentation method. Alongside historic buildings, wine-making and tastings offer further themes to explore on your trip.

Learning trail, nature and views

The Silberberg Fruit and Wine Learning Trail passes through the educational centre’s teaching vineyards at Silberberg and is always open to visitors. Its 31 themed stations include 21 wine stations and eight fruit stations, plus twelve information pillars. The trail therefore brings together two clearly defined themes, while the pillars provide further information to help you find your way on site. The Grottenhof Nature Park Centre offers a honey exhibition, an outdoor beekeeping trail and an exhibition on biodiversity. Its landscape park and cottage garden also invite visitors to discover elements of southern Styria’s cultural landscape.

The floodplains also shape the natural environment: the Leibnitz floodplain is considered a valuable habitat for numerous animal and plant species. In the Sulm floodplains west of the town of Leibnitz, the Laßnitz and Sulm rivers meet at the foot of Seggau Castle. Alluvial forests, meadows and groups of trees in the fields form a diverse natural and cultural landscape.

To take a walk to the Kreuzkogel lookout tower, start from the Kogel 3 restaurant along a short, easy path. The tower stands at an elevation of 498 metres; from there, panoramic views stretch from the Hochschwab and Schöckl mountains to the Koralpe, Pohorje and the Steiner Alps. The Silberberg lookout tower offers a different point of comparison: built in 1871, it stands at an elevation of 412 metres and, at three metres tall, is the smallest lookout tower in the region. For these two destinations, the figures therefore refer to different things: elevation and the height of the structure.

Water and travel arrangements

The Sulmsee is divided into two basins by a dam and lies between the Silberberg regional winery and Seggau Castle. The Sulmbad Zum Steinernen Wehr opened in 1929 and is considered Styria’s oldest river bath. Those interested in guided activities on the water can choose from the “moving water” programme, which offers a canoeing beginner’s course and guided canoe tours on the Raab, Sulm and Mur rivers.

For your journey, S-Bahn line 5 connects Graz with southern Styria and stops in Leibnitz, among other places. Check the latest timetable before travelling. When choosing a hotel, consider whether you would like to focus your trip on Roman archaeological sites and churches, wine and nature, or viewpoints and activities on the water.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Glanz An Der Weinstraße, Leibnitz, Eichberg-Trautenburg, Leutschach, Heimschuh, Arnfels, Berghausen, Gamlitz, Großklein, Ratsch An Der Weinstraße, Wagna, Kitzeck Im Sausal, Ragnitz, Lebring, Straß In Der Steiermark, Ehrenhausen, Sankt Nikolai Im Sausal, Oberhaag, Kaindorf, Spielfeld, Gleinstätten, Neurath, Wildon, Graßnitzberg, Sernau, Greith, Seggauberg, Zieregg, Pößnitz, Sulztal, Flamberg, Gabersdorf, Gauitsch, Wielitsch, Rettenberg, Eckberg, Schloßberg, Ottenberg, Wolfsberg Im Schwarzautal, Steinriegel, Kranach, Wagendorf, Vogau, Neudorf im Sausal, Sankt Georgen An Der Stiefing, Fötschach, Einöd, Nestelberg, Langegg, Sankt Veit Am Vogau, Sankt Andrä-Höch, Sankt Johann Im Saggautal, Petzles, Labitschberg, Gemeinde Pistorf, Gündorf

To the higher-level travel overview: Styria.