Discover Leibnitz: Roman history, wine country and nature

Leibnitz combines Roman history, southern Styrian wine country and diverse landscapes. Those planning a trip with culture, walks and excursions by the water will find a variety of opportunities here for shared discoveries. The choice of a holiday apartment or holiday home can be tailored well to the desired focus: historical sites, experiences in nature, wine and regional excursions can take centre stage.

Roman history and historic buildings

The region's long history is particularly vivid at Frauenberg. The Frauenberg Temple Museum presents 6,500 years of settlement history and was built on the ruins of the Isis-Noreia Temple. Exhibits include the remains of a marble statue of Mercury, 17 sandstone statuettes of a nursing mother goddess and two Celtic gold coins. The foundation walls of the Roman temple are considered the oldest freestanding masonry in Styria; the building remains are around 2,000 years old. Frauenberg is also home to one of the largest Celtic sanctuaries in the entire Eastern Alpine region. One-hour guided tours of the Temple Museum can be booked on request, including outside opening hours.

Another focal point is Flavia Solva at the original site in what is now Wagna. The archaeological site displays exhibits from more than 140 years of research and is considered one of the most significant Roman-era archaeological sites in Styria. Information can be accessed at several points. Those interested in sacred architecture can include the Frauenberg Pilgrimage Church, with its frescoes and Baroque organ from the 18th century. It was first mentioned in documents in 1170 and is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. On the 13th of every month, a pilgrimage takes place there with a procession, rosary prayer and Mass.

Leibnitz itself also offers historical points of interest. The Leibnitz parish church, the Church of St. James, is considered the city's oldest building and was constructed around 850 years ago. It was originally a Romanesque hall church and a subsidiary church for the market townspeople; a massive choir tower was added in the first half of the 13th century. Seggau Castle is situated on a gentle hill in southern Styria's wine country. Its lapidarium preserves evidence dating back to Celtic and Roman times, while the Baroque Episcopal Wine Cellar is one of the oldest and largest wine cellars in the country.

Wine country, trails and expansive views

The Silberberg Fruit and Wine Educational Trail offers a practical way to combine the landscape with regional agriculture. It comprises 31 thematic stations, including 21 wine and 8 fruit stations, as well as 12 information pillars. The educational trail, which is accessible at all times, leads through the educational centre Silberberg's school vineyards. For a holiday apartment in Leibnitz or in a nearby town, such an educational trail can be a pleasant part of a day without the trip having to focus exclusively on museum visits.

Several viewpoints offer different perspectives. From the Kreuzkogel observation tower, the panoramic view extends from the Hochschwab and Schöckl to the Koralpe, Pohorje and Steiner Alps. A short, easy walking trail to the tower at an elevation of 498 metres starts near Restaurant Kogel 3. The Silberberg observation tower was built in 1871, stands at an elevation of 412 metres and, at just 3 metres, is the smallest observation tower in the region. The Blickwechsel Tour combines cycling and hiking and leads to observation towers with panoramic views.

Nature, water and active days

The Leibnitz floodplain is considered a valuable habitat for numerous animal and plant species. In the Sulm floodplains west of the city, the Laßnitz and Sulm rivers meet at the foot of Seggau Castle. Riparian forests, meadows and field groves shape a diverse natural and cultural landscape there. The Grottenhof Nature Park Centre complements this experience of the landscape with a honey exhibition, an outdoor beekeeping trail, an exhibition on biodiversity, a landscape park and a farmers' garden.

There are various ways to spend days by the water. The Leibnitz Municipal Bath has sports, leisure and children's pools as well as extensive sunbathing lawns. The Sulmbad Zum Steinernen Wehr opened in 1929 and is considered the oldest river bath in Styria. Lake Sulm is divided into two basins by a dam and lies between the Silberberg State Winery and Seggau Castle. The “moving water” programme includes a basic canoeing course and guided canoe tours on the Raab, Sulm and Mur rivers. Those looking for a weather-independent activity will find routes of varying difficulty at the Leibnitz bouldering hall.

Leibnitz as a starting point for planning your trip

S-Bahn line 5 connects Graz with southern Styria and stops in Leibnitz, among other places. This may play a role when planning your journey if you want to combine culture, landscapes and excursions. When looking for accommodation, it is useful to first determine your preferred travel rhythm: a culture-focused stay puts Frauenberg, Flavia Solva, the parish church and Seggau Castle in the foreground. Those who enjoy being outdoors can place greater emphasis on the educational trail, viewpoints, floodplain areas or water-based activities. A holiday apartment in Leibnitz can be just as appealing as a holiday home in one of the linked towns, depending on the regional focus you prefer for your trip.

Other places for orientation

Heimschuh, Gamlitz, Berghausen, Municipality of Pistorf, Gündorf, Eichberg-Trautenburg, Gabersdorf, Gauitsch, Einöd, Kaindorf, Leutschach, Ratsch An Der Weinstraße, Arnfels, Glanz An Der Weinstraße, Wagna, Großklein, Kitzeck Im Sausal, Lebring, Straß In Der Steiermark, Ehrenhausen, Sankt Nikolai Im Sausal, Ragnitz, Oberhaag, Spielfeld, Gleinstätten, Neurath, Wildon, Graßnitzberg, Sernau, Greith, Seggauberg, Zieregg, Pößnitz, Sulztal, Flamberg, Wielitsch, Rettenberg, Eckberg, Schloßberg, Kranach, Ottenberg, Wolfsberg Im Schwarzautal, Steinriegel, Wagendorf, Vogau, Sankt Georgen An Der Stiefing, Nestelberg, Sankt Veit Am Vogau, Sankt Andrä-Höch, Sankt Johann Im Saggautal, Petzles, Neudorf im Sausal, Labitschberg, Leibnitz, Langegg and Fötschach.

For the overarching travel overview: Styria.