THE PLACE TO ENJOY
TRAUTENFELS CASTLE IN THE ENNS VALLEY
Only about ten minutes by car from the IMLAUER Hotel Schloss Pichlarn is the impressive Trautenfels Castle, situated on a small hill at the foot of the Grimming. A visit to the castle can be ideally combined with your stay with us – whether as a cultural highlight, because of the annually changing special exhibitions or simply to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view over the Enns Valley.
The castle is also easily accessible by bike: The route between the two castles takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your pace.
The castle is accessible for guests with limited mobility.
A historical jewel
Trautenfels Castle was given its current appearance in the 17th century. However, earlier castle buildings date back to the 13th century. The Baroque castle was given its current name after being rebuilt in 1664 by Count Siegmund Friedrich von Trauttmansdorff.
The artistic frescoes by the Italian painter Carpoforo Tencalla and the detailed stucco work by Alessandro Sereni are still particularly impressive today. Since its careful general renovation in the 1990s, Trautenfels Castle has skillfully combined historical architecture with modern exhibition elements.
Be sure to take the 142 steps up to the platform of the viewing tower: once at the top, you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the central Enns Valley and the surrounding mountains.
Trautenfels Castle © Katharina Krenn
Irises © Schladming-Dachstein / Marlene Eggmayr
Nature in context
Today, the castle houses the Landscape Museum of the Universalmuseum Joanneum. Visitors can discover the cultural and natural history of the Styrian Enns Valley and Ausseerland – from traditional customs and alpine farming to geology, hunting and folk art – in a total of 13 diversely designed rooms.
A special highlight this year is the special exhibition “Flower in person – Of myths, symbols, fragrance and love“, which can be seen until October 31, 2026.
The exhibition is dedicated to the cultural, scientific and artistic significance of flowers. Scent stations, interactive installations and unusual exhibits invite visitors to experience the world of flowers with all their senses. Themes include symbolism, customs, love, transience and social developments.
Interesting facts about Trautenfels Castle
Directly behind Trautenfels Castle lie the idyllic Trautenfels fish ponds. In the clear waters, char and trout, among others, are bred with great care and natural husbandry.
You can then enjoy the excellent quality of the fresh char at the IMLAUER Hotel Schloss Pichlarn, where we will be happy to prepare this regional specialty for you.
If you visit us at the end of May or beginning of June, with a bit of luck you will have the opportunity to experience a very special natural spectacle: At this time of year, the beautiful Siberian irises bloom in front of Trautenfels Castle. Siberian irises. The protected, wild flowers transform the meadow into an impressive sea of blossoms for around two weeks.
As the iris meadow is also a valuable habitat and breeding ground for numerous wild animals, we ask you not to enter the meadow and not to pick the flowers so that this unique natural experience is preserved.
At a glance:
Iris © Schladming-Dachstein / Marlene Eggmayr
