Ried Im Innkreis: Discover the City’s History and Nature

In Ried im Innkreis, a variety of discoveries await: historic squares, art from the Innviertel, sacred architecture and a nature-rich deciduous forest. There are also regional culinary delights and activities for active hours. The holiday apartment that best suits your stay therefore depends in part on whether you are mainly planning to explore local history, nature or culinary experiences.

Historic Squares, Gates and Art

The historic centre of Ried im Innkreis is made up of four squares: Kirchenplatz, Hauptplatz, Roßmarkt and Stelzhamerplatz. A monument at Stelzhamerplatz commemorates the Upper Austrian poet Franz Stelzhamer (1802–1874); it was created by the Gmunden sculptor Anton Gerhart. The Dietmar Fountain also tells a story of change in the townscape: in 1665, a Baroque fountain replaced an earlier draw well.

Of the former fortifications, the Braunauer Gate and the Schärdinger Gate are the only structures that remain. The Schärdinger Gate was formerly also known as the “Erltor” and “Münsterer Tor”. Details like these offer different points of connection to the town’s history: its former fortifications, a monument to a poet and the Baroque design of a fountain.

Works by the Schwanthaler family of sculptors can be seen at the Innviertler Volkskundehaus. The folk culture collections focus on crafts, traditional costumes and textiles, as well as jewellery and vessels. The museum also presents the local history exhibition “RIED – between Bavaria and Austria”. The famous “Silent Night Nativity Scene” is also housed here: the world-famous Christmas carol was first performed in front of it in 1818.

The parish church of St Peter and Paul acquired its present appearance between 1720 and 1734. Its tower stands 73 metres tall. Most of the interior furnishings were created by the Schwanthaler family of sculptors. For visitors interested in culture, the church brings together a specific period of construction, a striking measurement and a notable artistic attribution.

A Woodland Walk in the Pfarrerhölzl

The Pfarrerhölzl is a protected landscape area with a natural deciduous forest. Parts of the forest are up to 200 years old; oak, hornbeam and ash trees predominate. The Pfarrerhölzl nature trail is a family-friendly walking route that explores this landscape: the walk is listed as taking 20 to 30 minutes, and eight information boards stand along the route. It’s a way to combine a short walk with insights into the forest, rather than treating nature merely as a backdrop.

If a manageable walk is important to you during your stay, the nature trail offers a different kind of outing from the town and museum attractions. Families can take the stated walking time and information boards into account when planning their day.

Plan Your Visits and Experiences

On the “Ried from Above – Church Tower Tour”, visitors climb ten floors and 185 steps to reach the bell ringer’s room and the tower gallery. The tour is weather-dependent. If you plan to take it, check the booking information in advance and factor in the weather dependency. Other visitor activities include guided town and museum tours for groups.

Ried Leisure Pool offers aquatic, school and club sports, as well as sauna experiences. All areas and attractions are accessible. As opening hours and services may change, check the latest operating information before your visit. The leisure pool is another option alongside the cultural and natural attractions, without requiring you to follow a particular schedule for the day.

Regional Delights and the Right Holiday Apartment

The “Culinary Ried Beer Stroll” combines a walk to breweries and pubs with food and drink. The experience includes tastings of speciality beers at Biergasthof Riedberg and the Ried Brewery. Before your trip, check available dates, operating details and availability. Another place to find regional products is the Ried farmers’ market hall at the exhibition centre, where 20 farmers from the region offer high-quality products.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first decide which of these experiences you want to shape your stay: the squares and collections, the short nature trail or regional cuisine. You can then choose a location that suits your own plans. If you’re travelling by car, Ried im Innkreis is accessible via the A8 Innkreis motorway and the Ried im Innkreis exit; the route leads through Tumeltsham via the B 141a.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ried Im Innkreis, Obernberg Am Inn, Sankt Martin Im Innkreis, Waldzell, Neuhofen Im Innkreis, Moosham, Mühlheim Am Inn, Pramet, Reichersberg, Mörschwang, Ort Im Innkreis, Pattigham, Peterskirchen, Schildorn, Senftenbach, Sankt Georgen Bei Obernberg Am Inn, Sankt Marienkirchen am Hausruck, Taiskirchen im Innkreis, Tumeltsham, Utzenaich, Weilbach, Wippenham, Geinberg, Kirchheim Im Innkreis, Kirchdorf Am Inn, Mettmach, Eberschwang, Lohnsburg Am Kobernaußerwald, Andrichsfurt, Antiesenhofen, Aurolzmünster, Eitzing, Geiersberg, Gurten, Hohenzell, Lambrechten and Mehrnbach.

For the broader travel overview: Upper Austria.