Steyr Things to Do Tips by Jerelis

Michaelerkirche - Only from a distance.

This is a kind of a funny fact. I have been to Steyr 3 times and actually never ever visited this beautiful church. Of course I have seen it many times from a distance, as you can see on the picture I took, but never crossed the bridge over the river Steyr to actually see it for real. My last visit was in 2010 and once I was home and saw this particular picture I realized that I missed another opportunity to visit it. Don't let this happen to yourself!

The two steeples of Michaelerkirche (Saint Michael's Church) rise at the end of Steyr bridge. This magnificent Baroque church was built between 1635 and 1677. The brochure I read once back home in The Netherlands says: "The pediment in between the two steeples shows a fresco depicting Saint Michael and the fall of the evil angels. The most noticeable architectural feature of the Church is the lavishly decorated interior in Rococo style. The altarpiece depicts Archangel Saint Michael triumphing over Lucifer." Definitely worth a visit (the next time) ...

Address: Michaelerplatz 1, 4400 Steyr.

Directions: Right at the end of the northern side of the main square Stadtplatz. Just cross the bridge and you will be there.

Phone: +43(7252)72014

Website: http://www.pfarre-sankt-michael.at

Marienkirche - A must visit!

It really doesn't matter how you travel towards Steyr. Whether you come by car or by bike you will finally arrive at a parking lot just outside the village center. When you're at that particular parking lot and you look towards the city center of Steyr you can't miss the Marienkirche. Although we immediately said to ourselves that we wanted to visit this impressive church we first walked our way up to the Stadtplatz (main square) to see the sights out there. We hiked our way up to Schloss Lamberg (Lamberg Castle - 980), went back to the picturesque alley Eisengasse which winds down to the Enns. It's therefore very funny to notice that after strolling through some beautiful small streets we finally ended up at the backside of the Marienkirche. The site we definately wanted to see when we first arrived. Right now it was at the end of the afternoon and we where thrilled to see the Marienkirche as a highlight at the end of the beautiful day. The church was still open for visitors, so off we went!

Once inside we immediately saw the altar which is the center of the interior design. It's made of a marble top. The lavishly decorated interior mainly represents the Rococo style with fragments of rich Baroque features. There are two chapels on the church´s forecourt that boast noticeable statues depicting Christ on the Mount of Olives and the Crucifixion. We walked around a bit and can honestly say that this church is a must visit!

Address: Grünmarkt 1, 4400 Steyr.

Directions: The facade is facing the Stadtplatz, the main square of Steyr.

Other Contact: marienkirche.steyr@dioezese-linz

Phone: 07252 / 53129

Website: http://ttp://www.dioezese-linz.at/pfarren/marienkirche-steyr/index.html

Marienkirche - Lighting a candle.

Although we were quite early when we first arrived at the Marienkirche in Steyr we were already allowed to enter it. A huge advantage of our early arrival was the fact that there were almost no tourists inside. Either the bus / coach did not arrive yet or everybody was having their breakfast in the hotels. Whenever we visit a church the kids always want to burn a candle, it has become a bit of a tradition. The Sight of burning votive candles - real or electronic - is common in most Catholic churches. The candles are usually placed before statues of saints or at shrines. But how did this tradition get its start?

According to A Handbook of Catholic Sacramentals, by Ann Ball, the practice of lighting candles in order to obtain some favor probably has its origins in the custom of burning lights at the tombs of the martyrs in the catacombs. The lights burned as a sign of solidarity with Christians still on earth. Because the lights continually burned as a silent vigil, they became known as vigil lights. Vigil Lights (from the Latin vigilia, which means "waiting" or "watching") are traditionally accompanied by prayers of attention or waiting. Another common type of candle offering is the votive light. Such an offering is indicative of seeking some favor from the Lord or the saint before which the votive is placed. So for us lighting a candle is a way of extending our prayer and showing solidarity with the person on whose behalf our prayer is offered.

Address: Grünmarkt 1, 4400 Steyr.

Directions: The facade is facing the Stadtplatz, the main square of Steyr.

Other Contact: marienkirche.steyr@dioezese-linz

Phone: 07252 / 53129

Website: http://www.dioezese-linz.at/pfarren/marienkirche-steyr/index.html

Marienkirche - Former Dominican St Mary's Church.

In the summer of 2009 I stayed with my two kids in the small village of Hinterstoder. On a heavily cloudy day I decided to go the city of Steyr, and I was not sorry for that. The origin of the village of Steyr can be traced from as long ago as the year 1000BC, turning it into one of the most ancient spots of the region. Steyr is famous for its historic town centre built around the "Stadtplatz" (town square), which has been very well preserved for several hundred years. Funny thing was that at the moment we entered the city the sky opened up and the sun did arrive! Time for us to explore the village.

We parked the car and walked our way up to the city center, the Stadtplatz (main square) of Steyr and one of the buildings which stroked the eye immediately was the Late Baroque Church: Marienkirche. There has been a church on this location ever since the late 15th century when a Dominican community was founded on the site. We learned that in the 16th century the building was destroyed by a flood and a fire. As a result the convent church was completely rebuilt in early Baroque style by the middle of the 17th century.

Address: Grünmarkt 1, 4400 Steyr.

Directions: The facade is facing the Stadtplatz, the main square of Steyr.

Other Contact: marienkirche.steyr@dioezese-linz

Phone: 07252 / 53129

Website: http://www.dioezese-linz.at/pfarren/marienkirche-steyr/index.html