Discover Steyr: Old Town, Nativity Scene Culture and River Landscape

Steyr combines an exceptional river landscape with a rich and closely preserved urban and cultural history. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Steyr can focus on different aspects here, from historic buildings and special nativity scenes to a memorial site dedicated to contemporary history.

Historic Old Town with Distinctive Buildings

The historic old town of Steyr encompasses more than 700 listed buildings and structures. This offers numerous points of interest for anyone interested in architecture, urban history and regional details. The Bummerlhaus is part of the historic townscape. It takes its name from the lion-shaped sign above the portal of the former Löwenwirtshaus inn. The building is described as Austria’s finest late Gothic town house.

Another characteristic building is the Innerberger Stadel. This Renaissance-period commercial building has a façade decorated with sgraffito. For almost 300 years, the Innerberger Stadel was used as a storage building. Such different historical layers make Steyr a destination where architectural forms and former uses can be experienced together.

Nativity Scene Culture and Christkindl

A special cultural aspect of the city is represented by the Steyrer Kripperl. It is one of the last active rod puppet theatres in the German-speaking world and is part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. For families, this traditional form of puppet theatre can be an unusual shared cultural experience; at the same time, it appeals to visitors who want to discover regional customs and displays shaped by craftsmanship.

Christkindl is also closely connected with Steyr’s Christmas tradition and has always been regarded as the centre of Steyr’s Christmas activities. In the Baroque pilgrimage church of Christkindl, a wax figure of the Infant Jesus can be seen above the tabernacle. Another nativity scene exhibition is located in the former palm house in Steyr Castle Park, which is one of the sites of the Steyr City Museum. In the nativity scene landscape, more than 1,100 nativity figures, known as Loahmmandel, populate the display.

Remembrance and River Landscape

With the Tunnel of Remembrance exhibition, a serious historical focus accompanies the architectural and cultural heritage. Its setting is the Lamberg tunnel near the confluence of the Enns and Steyr rivers. The exhibition addresses the history of the Steyr-Münichholz concentration camp and the fate of thousands of forced labourers. This site gives travel planning another thematic direction and invites visitors to engage consciously with the city’s history.

The unique river landscape is another part of Steyr’s character. Together with the cultural attractions, it creates a destination that offers more than just one type of experience: you can include historic townscapes, religious traditions, nativity scene art, remembrance culture and river environments in your plans.

Which location suits your travel plans?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Steyr, it is worth deciding on the desired focus of your stay first. For culture-focused days, the historic old town, the Bummerlhaus, the Innerberger Stadel and the Steyrer Kripperl are the main attractions. Those particularly interested in nativity scenes and Christmas traditions should consider Christkindl and the exhibition in the former palm house. City bus route 3 is also relevant for getting around the city: it runs between the railway station, Ennsleite and Stadtplatz.

Discover More Destinations

As additional travel destinations, you can also explore Laussa, Weyer, Grossraming, Bad Hall, Sierning, Dietach, Ternberg and Maria Neustift.

For the higher-level travel overview: Steyr-Land.