Discover Fürstenfeld: City History and Special Excursions

Fürstenfeld combines an impressive history with diverse experiences in the heart of Styria’s Thermen- & Vulkanland region. Anyone wishing to combine a trip with culture, historical discoveries, water-based activities and a cycling tour will find various options for planning each day here. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth considering your preferred focus: historical city explorations, active excursions or relaxing hours at the outdoor pool.

Historic Fürstenfeld around the Main Square and Fortifications

The main square is a good starting point for exploring Fürstenfeld’s past. It measures approximately 100 by 100 metres and is one of the largest squares in all of Styria. Several buildings in its surroundings recall the city’s development. The Graz Gate was built in 1565 and formed part of Fürstenfeld’s fortifications. The Old Town Hall was built in 1569 by Jonas von Wilfersdorf as a Freihaus, or tax-exempt residence. It replaced a city tower in the Klostergasse behind it, which had been demolished as part of the modern fortifications.

The cityscape is also shaped by its religious history. Fürstenfeld Parish Church was founded around 1202 by the Knights Hospitaller. The Fürstenfeld Kommende was founded around 1200 as a hospice and, in its present form, is the oldest establishment of the Knights Hospitaller in Austria. As early as 1362, citizens of Fürstenfeld established a settlement of the Augustinian Hermits; the church and monastery were built between 1365 and 1368. In 2004, two groups of artworks were inaugurated in the Josefikapelle: twelve modern metal Stations of the Cross by Erich Unterweger and seven reverse-glass paintings depicting Stations of the Cross motifs by Erika Wolf-Rubenzer.

Museum, Pfeilburg and the Fortress Trail

The Pfeilburg Museum documents Fürstenfeld’s eventful history in 14 exhibition rooms – from the former fortress city, through its development as a city of crafts and trade, to the first half of the 20th century. Guided tours lasting around one hour are available during opening hours. Pfeilburg also includes the “Schwarzturm” building core dating from the 13th century, one of the few surviving medieval residential towers in Styria.

The historic courtyard of Pfeilburg is located not far from the main square, directly beside the old fortification wall. It provides space for concerts, summer festivals, children’s festivals, as well as open-air film screenings and presentation evenings. Whether and when individual events take place depends on the relevant programme. Anyone who prefers to explore the city’s history while on the move can choose the Fortress Trail. It leads through Fürstenfeld’s restored fortifications, which can be experienced at 13 stations.

Water Experiences and a Cycling Tour for a Change of Pace

For a stay with a stronger focus on leisure and water activities, Fürstenfeld outdoor pool offers specific points of interest: it comprises 23,000 m² of water area and 100,000 m² of green space. A 116-metre-long speed slide adds to the facilities. Since 2021, the Marienbrunnen fountain has featured a water installation with 14 water columns and colourful water jets that move to the rhythm of three pieces of music.

An active alternative is the Knights' Orders Cycling Tour starting at Kirchenplatz. The easy route is 17.8 km long and takes around two hours. It connects three historically significant church complexes, highlights the work of the Knights Hospitaller and is also suitable for e-bikes. This allows Fürstenfeld’s historical perspective to be complemented by a cycling tour without abandoning the cultural focus of the trip.

Guidance for Choosing Your Accommodation

When deciding on accommodation, you can first consider which experiences should define your trip. Anyone wishing to combine a city tour with public transport will find a stop in Badstraße, a short distance from the starting point of the Fürstenfeld city tour. The railway station is approximately 2 km from the area covered by the city tour. This information can help with personal planning of the starting point, but does not replace checking the exact location of the accommodation.

For further research, you can also look at Sankt Lorenzen Am Wechsel, Ebersdorf Bei Hartberg, Tiefenbach Bei Kaindorf, Stein, Schaueregg, Sankt Magdalena Am Lemberg, Pöllauberg and Sankt Jakob Im Walde also.

For the higher-level travel overview: Hartberg-Fürstenfeld.