OÖ Jakobsweg südliche Route

The southern route of the Upper Austrian Way of St. James leads to the oldest town in Upper Austria, Enns, to St. Florian, Ansfelden, where you then return to Hörsching, where the circle closes again.

The route begins in the Lower Austrian municipality of St. Pantaleon-Erla. This lies on historical ground. In the 2nd century AD, the largest legionary camp on the Limes was located here. After 7 kilometres you reach the oldest town in Austria, Enns. In the Middle Ages, Enns was a wealthy town, as the striking town tower still attests today. The old town centre with the castle, the town tower and the parish church as well as the Basilica of St. Laurentius are particularly worth seeing. The route continues via Asten to St Florian. According to legend, St Florian is said to have been buried here. The Augustinian canons' monastery was founded here in the 11th century. The collegiate church with the Bruckner organ and the tomb of St Florian, the imperial hall and the library are jewels of Austrian Baroque art. Anton Bruckner, the "Musician of God", worked as a choirboy, organist and teacher. He is buried in the monastery church. Anton Bruckner was born in the town of Ansfelden, around 8 kilometres away. The route continues along the River Traun to the town of Wels, which was already an important town in Roman times. The town square is one of the most beautiful in Austria. Lambach is home to the famous Lambach Benedictine Abbey with the oldest Romanesque frescoes in southern Germany and magnificent baroque rooms and the baroque collegiate church. The Lambach Baroque Theatre in Lambach Abbey has the oldest playable theatre facilities in Austria. In Schwanenstadt, 10 kilometres away, the Calvary Church of the parish stands on a small hill. The movable Lenten nativity scene is located there. On a small revolving stage, figures about 20cm tall, carved and painted in the style of the late peasant baroque, move past the visitor on two levels. They depict the five mysteries of the Sorrowful Rosary. The Lenten cot can only be visited on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. After passing Attnang-Puchheim, you reach Vöcklabruck. In the parish church of St Ulrich, the statue of St James can be seen on the right side altar. The route continues via Timelkam to the next stop on the pilgrimage route to Vöcklamarkt. The milestone in front of the parish church illustrates the parish's Romanesque past. The baroque parish church is one of the largest in the area and is therefore also known as the "Vöckla Cathedral". The last stop on the Way of St James in Upper Austria is the small village of Oberhofen. A visit to the baroque parish church with works by Meinrad Guggenbichler marks the end of the pilgrimage in Upper Austria before continuing on to the province of Salzburg.