Discover Gnas: Culture, Trails and Culinary Delights

Gnas brings together historic landmarks, varied trails and regional wine culture. In the centre of the market town stands the Marian Column, a votive column dating from 1678. It is protected as a historic monument by ordinance and provides a distinctive starting point for getting to know Gnas, first on foot and then on further excursions.

Culture in the Centre of Gnas

The parish church of Gnas also gives the town a distinctive historical profile. It is dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Angels, and was first mentioned in a document in 1339. Gnas has been known as a Marian pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Inside, the neo-Gothic high altar, dating from 1878 to 1880, immediately stands out. The parish church's patronal feast is celebrated on 2 August. Anyone interested in ecclesiastical art and regional history can deliberately include this stop in their day's plans without having to focus their stay on just one theme.

The Gnas Local History Museum provides more information about the town's development. It opened in its present form in 1996 in the attic of the municipal offices. Its exhibits focus on the development of the market system, guilds and the associated crafts. A particular emphasis is placed on the history of clothing production in and around Gnas up to the present day. Visitors are asked to register at the municipal office before visiting the museum. This information is therefore just as important to planning as selecting the other excursion destinations.

Trails, Exercise and the Outdoor Pool

Gnas can also be explored through various exercise and leisure activities. “BEWEGT IM PARK” offers free exercise classes in public parks or other open spaces. The classes are led by professional trainers. Gnas outdoor pool is located on the eastern edge of the town and is arranged in terraces. This gives you a choice of different forms of exercise and relaxation when planning your trip, from guided classes to spending time at the outdoor pool.

The “Sandstöckl” Weinzierlhaus offers a special combination of history and walking. The 400-year-old house was dismantled, expertly renovated and rebuilt from 2010 to 2017 in the immediate vicinity of its original location in Ebersdorf near Gnas. It is situated directly on the Kaskögerl Trail, a hiking trail in Styria's Thermal and Volcanic Land. A show apiary and an educational bee trail are located around the house. The “Sandstöckl” is regarded as the last authentic house of its kind in the whole of southeastern Styria.

For a hike, the Raning high trail starts at the sports grounds in Gnas. The route follows the Gnasbach stream and partly runs along the Agricultural Theme Trail. Another option is the Tatschkerland Tour, which starts at the Gnas Youth and Family Guesthouse and leads via Lichtenberg and Ebersdorf to Krusdorf. For the return journey, one option is listed from the Prädiberg stop along the regional railway back to Gnas. This allows you to combine your travel plans with either a circular excursion or a return journey, depending on your preferred focus.

Wine and Regional Specialities

Wine culture is also part of Gnas's character. At Weinhof Rath, tastings of the “Sommerliebe wines” are available by prior arrangement. They include Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Souvignier Gris, Muscaris, Zweigelt, white Zweigelt, Chardonnay and Frizzante. The wines are available directly from the winery. At Weinhof Huber, vines grow around the award-winning Buschenschank; the wines there are best enjoyed with a snack platter. Those who like to combine cultural discoveries with regional culinary delights will find another distinctive element for their stay here.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Gnas, it is worth first organising the activities you would like to include each day. If the focus is on the Marian Column, parish church and local history museum, different considerations take priority than with a plan involving hiking, the outdoor pool or wine tasting. The Kaskögerl Trail, the “Sandstöckl” and the Tatschkerland Tour also offer different highlights. When choosing accommodation, therefore, consider which starting points are particularly important for your personal travel plans. This keeps the choice of holiday apartment connected to your travel group's actual interests rather than being based merely on a general impression of the town.

For further travel planning, you can also view the town pages for Auersbach, Feldbach, Kapfenstein, Fehring, Jagerberg, Bad Gleichenberg, Unterlamm and Riegersburg.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Feldbach.