Haslach an der Mühl: Discover Textile Culture and Nature

Haslach an der Mühl combines textile traditions, historic buildings and diverse nature experiences. Anyone wishing to combine a trip with cultural discoveries and active days will find various ways to do so here: a nature discovery trail engages the senses, museums tell stories of crafts and everyday life, and the Steinerne Mühl is the setting for several special experiences. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can therefore consider whether textile history, historic sites or activities in nature should be the main focus of your trip.

Experience Textile History and Craftsmanship

The Weaving Museum was founded in 1971 and moved to the Textile Centre Haslach in 2012. The museum presents the stages of processing, from preparing flax to producing finished linen. The development of weaving technology can also be followed: the exhibition ranges from handlooms to a Jacquard loom. For travellers interested in regional work and traditional production methods, this focus offers an engaging introduction to the history of weaving.

The Haslach Manufactory offers another perspective. During guided tours, you can learn about the journey from wool to the finished quality product. The Weavers’ Market adds a special annual event to the town’s textile profile. Since 1992, it has taken place as a two-day market in the winding lanes of the old district “auf der Stelzen” and in the market square. Around 90 exhibitors from several nations showcase the diversity of their textile work and offer handmade products for sale.

Historic Traces and Unusual Museums

The Parish Church of St Nicholas is considered the most imposing Late Gothic church in the Upper Mühlviertel. Its free-standing tower was built as a defensive tower forming part of the market fortifications. The Old Tower also recalls the history of the town: it was part of Haslach’s historic fortifications, which were built between 1483 and 1487. The Merchants’ Museum provides a different historical perspective and reconstructs the shopping atmosphere of a fully stocked general store around 1920.

The history of music can be explored at the Mechanical Sound Factory. It displays 150 musical instruments and other musical exhibits dating from the Baroque period to the present day. During guided tours, the instruments are played and their inner workings demonstrated. This creates an experience that not only provides information about the objects but also makes their operation audible and visible.

Nature Experiences along the Trail and the Mühl

For a varied time outdoors, the nature discovery trail offers stations where nature can be experienced through sight, touch, feel and smell. There are also play and agility stations, and the trail ends at a playground. In Welset Pühret on the Steinerne Mühl, there is also a small bathing area and a small playground in addition to the 4-kilometre nature discovery trail. In summer, the Steinerne Mühl offers a refreshing way to cool off.

The Haslach Circular Trail offers several viewpoints and complements the more play-oriented stations with its own distinctive route concept. The Mühlviertel Oil Mill, also known locally as the Stahlmühle, is another part of the town’s history. It is located where the Steinerne Mühl flows into the Große Mühl; linseed oil has been pressed there for more than 500 years.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

A holiday apartment in Haslach an der Mühl can be chosen especially well when you want to structure your holiday days around your interests. Culture enthusiasts can include the Weaving Museum, the Manufactory, museums and historic buildings in their plans. For more active days, the nature discovery trail, the circular trail and the experiences along the Steinerne Mühl offer different focal points. Those travelling with several generations can alternate between sensory stations, historical impressions, guided tours and play opportunities without limiting the trip to just one theme.

You can also consider other places in the same selection: Sankt Ulrich im Mühlkreis, Hörbich, Peherstorf, Guglwald, Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis, Ahorn im Mühlkreis, Sankt Stefan am Walde and Schönegg.

For the higher-level travel overview: Rohrbach.