Romanischer Stadtrundgang, Hartberg

• START at the Römerstein, Grablöwe. This is where the terraced Old Town Park begins. See the Reckturm, fortified tower but also the town prison.Pass the well-preserved town wall and walk up to the laundry pond. Until the 50s of the 20th century, women still rubbed their laundry here on friction boards and washed it in the Brühlbach stream.
• Turn right, you will come to the gate of the old city wall. You enter the castle park, Hartberg Castle is on your left. The extensive park with its valuable giant trees and climate-friendly young trees invites you to linger.
• Another castle gate leads into Herrengasse. In the Middle Ages, this was the lane market, at the end of which was the Strata Hungarica, the city's main thoroughfare. With a view of the most beautiful photo motif, follow the lower end of Herrengasse to the left of today's Michaeligasse and after about 100 m turn left up to Kirchengasse, where the main square opens up on the right. This square was laid out in 1147, when the Gassenmarkt was bursting at the seams, as the first square market in the region. This is considered a prototype in medieval town planning, from which the rectangular shape of the square developed, which is the centre of many historic town centres.
• Cross the square and turn right at the oak tree into Hartberg's pedestrian zone. In the Middle Ages, the town stream flowed here in an open channel through the former Zapfgasse. Today, Der Steinerne Fluss (The Stone River), a three-part fountain installation by Ulrike Truger, is a reminder of the city's first water conduit. Spring - wave - waterfall symbolise the course of the underground city stream in the form of three serpentine blocks. Stroll to Rochuspark, where the historic town pond adjoins.
• Cross the bridge and marvel at the mighty Schölbinger Tower. This is the second fortified tower, next to the Reckturm in the city park, which dates from the Romanesque period. At the archway, the path leads back onto the old Roman road Strata Ungarica (Michaeligasse). With a view of the charnel house and the gold-leafed spire of the parish church of St. Martin, walk up to the staircase of the former sacristan's house or the first school in the town. Go up here, cross the passageway and you are on the church square. The charnel house is on your right, a flight of steps leads you up to the portal entrance.
• The Hartberg Carner is one of the most important Austrian architectural monuments of the Romanesque period. Its equal can only be found in the Lower Austrian dominion of the Babenbergs. The verticality of the slender building structure, which is brought about by the columns in front of it, is strikingly "modern" and reminiscent of the early Gothic period. On the west side, a flight of steps leads to the entrance in the rotunda, where a rich series of pictures tells biblical stories.
• The frescoes date from the 13th century. At the end of the 19th century, the frescoes, which had disappeared under whitewash, were uncovered and extensively restored. Although some additions to missing parts are disputed and the original colours are no longer visible today due to overpainting, the motifs still show an incredible intensity. The depictions also testify to the extraordinary creativity of the anonymous artist.
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• The pictorial programme is a figurative interpretation of biblical texts:
• ROTUNDE In the main room, Christ, enthroned as ruler of the world, and the twelve apostles are seen above. In the lower section is the allegorical representation of David's dream. It is the vision of Daniel, who saw four beasts coming out of a sea, which were interpreted as kingdoms.
• APSIS Root of Jesse as the genealogy of Christ, Mother of God enthroned with Child Jesus, gifts of the Holy Spirit, saints with banners.

Guided tour with interior inspection of the karn in accordance with austria guide quality criteria

Timetables and travel information can be found at Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) or at Verkehrsauskunft Verbundlinie.

For local transportation we recommend the SAM-Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark.

Hartberg, P+R Kloster/Schramm parking lot

Hartberg, parking deck, Alleegasse 6 - subject to charges (information on charges)

Information about the region, places to stop and stay, excursion destinations etc. can be found here:

Eastern Styria Tourist Board

Hartbergerland office

Alleegasse 6

8230 Hartberg

Tel.: +43 3332 603 300

Vacation in Hartbergerland | Eastern Styria

www.oststeiermark.com

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Mobility Eastern Styria with shared cab SAM

Find out about maps, hiking brochures and other tour tips at the tourist office.

You can also order information material from the comfort of your own home on our website

Eastern Styria Tourist Office

Hartberg office

Alleegasse 6, 8230 Hartberg

www.oststeiermark.com