Scharnstein: Scythe Craft, Museums and Scenery
Accommodation in Scharnstein
Scharnstein brings together several distinct travel interests: scythe making, the history of the justice system, church architecture and hiking destinations. When choosing where to stay, consider whether you would rather focus on museums and historic architecture or on a trail leading to a viewpoint. The places and routes offer specific starting points for either choice.
Scythe making on the trail and in the museum
The signposted Scythe Trail is about 2.4 kilometres long and passes through what was once the largest scythe works in the Danube Monarchy. The connection to this historic trade is part of the trail itself. The Geyerhammer Scythe Museum offers a different perspective on the craft: it is located directly beside the Alm River in a scythe works preserved in its original condition. Three massive tail hammers powered by waterwheels can be seen there. Their power source is as much a part of the picture of historic craftsmanship as the hammers themselves. The trail and the machines on display therefore offer different points of focus, without requiring you to take the same approach to both.
History at Scharnstein Castle
The Austrian Crime Museum at Scharnstein Castle documents the history of Austria’s justice and security services from the late Middle Ages to the present day in more than 20 exhibition rooms. Its broad historical scope provides a context for the visit; the original torture chamber offers a specific focus and an insight into the practices of the historic justice system.
If you are planning a guided tour of the Crime and Gendarmerie Museum at Scharnstein Castle as a group, groups of 15 to a maximum of 80 people are accommodated; advance booking is required. Check the arrangements for your chosen date before travelling.
Church architecture and the Viechtwang Nativity Scene
The present-day Baroque parish church of Viechtwang was built to plans by Antonio Carlone. This makes it a specific point of interest for anyone interested in architectural history. The Viechtwang home nativity scene of the Hageneder family offers a different cultural perspective. This seven-square-metre landscape nativity scene depicts important events from the Annunciation, the search for shelter and the birth of Jesus through to the procession of the Three Kings and the Flight into Egypt. Its sequence of scenes therefore goes far beyond the depiction of the birth.
The church and the home nativity scene represent different aspects of religious culture: Baroque architecture on the one hand, and a large-scale display with an extensive sequence of biblical scenes on the other. If you are interested in both, you can include both the church architecture and the tradition of craftsmanship in your travel plans.
Trail to the castle ruins and viewpoint
The viewpoint by Scharnstein Castle ruins can be reached by climbing about 260 steps. The route passes the Wagner Chapel, which is built into the rocks. If you plan to visit the viewpoint, the steps are one of the specific details to take into account in advance.
The restored and newly maintained Almtaler Bergwiesn meadow lies along the popular hiking trail from the Tissenbach Valley to the castle ruins. A rest area at a slightly higher elevation offers views of the Bräumauer opposite. The meadow is therefore not only a scenic spot along the trail, but also a place to rest and take in the view. The viewpoint and the meadow offer different highlights: views from the ruins in one case, and a rest area overlooking the Bräumauer in the other.
Getting there
For rail travel, the Almtalbahn, line 153, is listed as running from Wels station to GrĂĽnau im Almtal, with Scharnstein-MĂĽhldorf indicated as a stop. Check the current timetable before travelling. This lets you plan your journey using the connection that suits you, rather than relying on the line information alone.
The destinations described can help you decide which interests you want to shape your stay: industrial history on the Scythe Trail and at Geyerhammer, the history of the justice system at the castle, religious culture in Viechtwang, or a hike with places to rest and enjoy the views. Scharnstein appeals to a range of interests, and each place serves a different purpose for visitors.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut, Pinsdorf, AltmĂĽnster am Traunsee, Laakirchen, Ohlsdorf, RuĂźbach, Gschwandt, Moosham.
Return to the main travel overview: Gmunden.
