Traunkirchen Things to Do

The Russenvilla (Russian villa), ideally situated on the Klavarienberg (name of the hill), get it's name because the Sophie Pantschulidze, the daughter of a Russian Duke, gave the order to build this villa. The famous architect Theophil von Hansen built the villa between the years 1850 and 1854. The villa hosted famous guests as the Archduke Maximilian (brother of Emperor Franz Josefs and later became Emperor of Mexico--yes Mexico was once part of the Austrio-Hungarian Empire!), Richard Wagner, und Adalbert Stifter. Today it is in private hands. If you look to the left of the picture, you can just make out the double eagle crest symbolic of the Habsburg empire (see picture in Local Customs for a close up).

I strongly recommend you pay the Tourist Information Center in Traunkirchen a visit if you don't have a guide like I did. There is a wealth of information available to you there about Traunkirchen and what to see and do.

Just next to the church (attached to the structure actually) is the Handarbeitsmuseum (Hand Crafts Museum) in Traunkirchen. Inside you'll find many traditional hand crafts like Goldhauben (a very traditional golden hat worn by women in parts of Upper Austria and Salzburg provinces), and examples of local knitwork and crochet work.

On the hill overlooking the Pfarrkirche of Traunkirchen is a spire called the Johannesbergkapelle (Johannesberg Chapel). No one is quite sure when the chapel was built. The earliest mention of it in any official document is 1356. In 1651, the Jesuits of the Pfarrkirche enlarged the chapel.

Inside the chapel is a baroque altar with a painting of St. John the baptist. The tower to the chapel also houses a large bell (not sure if it still rings). Also noteworthy is the paths to walk up to the chapel make for excellent walks and you get some pretty nice views of the Traunsee and Traunsee and not too far away Gmunden.

The Traunsee is the deepest lake in Austria. It's maximum depth is 192 meters (630 ft.). The eastern flank of this lake is dominated by rocky crags, particularly Traunstein. Several resorts are strung along the western shore, including Gmunden, Altmuenster, and of course Traunkirchen.

Traustein is the largest of the mountains around the Traunsee. It stands at 1691 meters (5548 feet). Because of it's sheer sides, it is very difficult mountain to climb. In fact, a number of mountain climbers have died trying to climb up the mountain. At the top of the mountain is a small hut for mountain climbers. Supposedly the sunrise is very nice from up there. I have yet to climb up and see it.

The most memorable quality of Traunstein is how it overlooks the Traunsee. It stands so high above the rest of the peaks that it basically stands alone. It's almost how a tall skyscraper dominates a city skyline.

The Cemetary of the Parish Church is not exactly what I would call a must see activity, but what I do find quite worthwhile to see are the various grave stones. In most cases, the typical stones are replaced by wrought iron artwork that depicts the crucifixion is some way or form. Some of these are highly ornate and indeed unique.

The High Altar of the parish church is worth seeing for its depiction of the coronation of Mary. It was built in 1754 by the jesuits and is still quite impressive. The church also has some side altars and a crypt that are worth seeing.