The Story of the City of Steyr
The old city of Steyr lies in the region known as the Traunviertel. In the heart of the city flow two rivers, the Steyr and the Enns. The two rivers meet near Lamberg Castle and St. Michael’s Church in the city center, which has caused many floods in the city throughout history.
The first settlers in the area were the Celts, who established their kingdom called Noricum in the region. The Roman Empire annexed the kingdom and placed it under Roman control. The “Iron Road,” which led to the large Erzberg metal mine about 100 kilometers away, passed nearby.
In the 6th century, Bavarians settled in the city, and the rulers of the House of Otakars owned the area until the 12th century. Afterward, the city passed into the hands of the Dukes of the House of Babenberg. The city developed especially thanks to the many workshops it had, which were engaged in goldsmithing and weapon making.
After the House of Babenberg became extinct, the emperor placed the city under Habsburg rule and granted it special rights. Its prosperity was largely based on the regional iron trade, which declined during the Thirty Years’ War and the Peasants’ Revolt.
In the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought factories producing engines and weapons, most notably the Steyr-Daimler-Puch-Werke. These factories operated until the end of World War II and supplied the Nazi army, making the city a major target of Allied bombing that caused widespread destruction.
American forces entered the city in 1945, and it remained under U.S. control until 1955. The city marked its 1,000th anniversary in 1980. Today, it remains an important industrial center in Austria, with several heavy industry factories still in operation.
The Old City of Steyr
The center of Steyr is very old, and after the war, extensive renovation and restoration took place. In the city center, the impressive Stadtplatz (City Square) stands surrounded on all sides by beautiful historic buildings. Among the beautiful buildings, you can see the old town hall and St. Michael’s Church. Two other very important buildings are the Gothic House and Lamberg Castle.
The Gothic House (Bummerlhaus)
This building is located near the city’s main square. It is a remarkably preserved house from the 13th century. This building is considered one of the most beautiful of its kind in all of Austria. The style of the house is ancient Gothic.
Address: Stadtplatz 32, 4400 Steyr
Map:
Lamberg Castle
The ancient castle is located in the heart of the old city, near the meeting point of the two main rivers of the region. As early as the 10th century, the castle served to protect the area from Hungarian invaders. The noble Lamberg family owned the castle for hundreds of years until the Nazi regime seized it when Austria was annexed to Germany. After the end of the war, it became Austrian property and is now under the supervision of the Austrian Federal Forests agency.
The area surrounding the castle is beautiful, but it is not possible to enter it.
This is what the city of Steyr looks like
Additional Essential Information for Your Visit
Official Website
Address: Steyr, Upper Austria
Map:
Other Attractions in the Area
A 30-minute drive from the city begins the wonderful Kalkalpen National Park. This is a wild and pristine nature area with large forests, many springs, and gorgeous landscapes. Read more about the park in the comprehensive article we have prepared.
