The Neuberger Literary Trail in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park
As with all eight "Styrian Literary Paths of the Middle Ages," the Neuberger Literary Trail in the Mürzer Oberland Nature Park is centered around a historically significant literary work from the region. This literature is brought to life in its natural and cultural landscape, allowing visitors to experience it in an authentic setting.
Historical Context of the Neuberger Literary Trail
According to the official brochure of the Literary Paths Association, the trail's background is as follows:
The Cistercian Monastery of Neuberg was founded in 1327 by Duke Otto the Merry. Around 1400, the monk Andreas Kurzmann lived and worked here. In the Middle Ages, monasteries were centers of knowledge preservation and dissemination. Andreas devoted himself particularly to the monastery's library, meticulously copying Latin books and translating several Latin texts into German verse. These translations made religious teachings accessible not only to monastery students and non-Latin-speaking brothers but also to laypeople outside the monastery.
One of Andreas Kurzmann’s notable German-language poems is titled "Soliloquium Mariae cum Jesu." This work presents an intimate dialogue between the Virgin Mary and her son, Jesus, imagined as a twelve-year-old boy.
What makes this conversation unusual is the role reversal:
Mary, instead of being the teacher or guide, asks her all-knowing child about the divine plan of salvation. Until now, the Angel Gabriel had only told her that she would bear the "Son of the Most High." But now, she seeks to know more—no, the whole truth!
This unique literary dialogue is at the heart of the Neuberger Literary Trail, offering visitors a deeply moving glimpse into medieval faith and thought.
Characteristics
Best season
The tour in numbers
Map & downloads
More information
The trail begins at the orientation station in the Abbey Park on the Main Street and leads through the Kaiserhof (Story Station I) into Schenkfeldstraße (Stations II–III). It then turns left onto an unpaved path, ascending more steeply to the Schenkfeld Promenade.
From there, we continue left towards Kalvarienberg (Stations IV–VI) until we reach the end of the Literary Trail above the Minster (Station VII).
For a flatter route, continue straight after Station III towards Main Street (B23), turn left at Restaurant Borkenkäfer onto Schenkfeld, and rejoin the Literary Trail at Station IV.
The approximately 1.5 km long trail, free of charge, can be ideally combined with a visit to the impressive Neuberger Minster—often referred to as the "Cathedral in the Village".
For those looking to extend their tour, a climb up the well-signposted Kalvarienberg is recommended. However, surefootedness is required, as the path leads to a prominent rocky outcrop beneath a radiant cross. From here, hikers can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the expansive valley—perhaps gaining an even deeper appreciation of the uplifting literary messages along the trail.
- ÖBB Timetable & Tickets: www.oebb.at
- Public Transport Styria: www.verbundlinie.at
- Nature Park Taxi: +43 3857/20170
The complete brochure, available on the project website http://literaturpfade.uni-graz.at, can also be obtained free of charge in printed form from the Graz service office of Steiermark Tourismus (www.steiermark.com).
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Neuberg an der Mürz (734m)
