In Mautern an der Donau, you’ll encounter Roman history, church art and paths through the Wachau. The preserved walls and towers of the Favianis fort are part of the Danube Limes World Heritage Site; Mautern has been part of this World Heritage Site since 30 July 2021. The town also has Austria’s best-preserved remains of Roman fortifications.
Favianis and the Roman road
The oldest known finds from the present-day town date from the transition between the Early and Middle Bronze Ages, around 1700 to 1500 BC. Later, the Roman fort of Favianis was extensively expanded in the 4th century. Fan-shaped and horseshoe-shaped towers were built, parts of which are still visible. The Roman road at Mautern also has a long history: it probably dates from Roman times and remained in use into the modern era. Distinctive wheel ruts bring the route’s history as a transport corridor to life.
The Roman road at Mautern is also a steep hiking route. It begins at the southern end of Mauternbach and leads towards Unterbergern. This makes it different from the preserved fort walls in the town: if you want to include both, plan the hike as a separate activity. The horseshoe tower and Roman wall are currently only accessible to a limited extent due to ongoing construction work; these restrictions are expected to remain in place until 2027.
Church art and Roman exhibition
St Stephen’s Parish Church acquired its present appearance through a Baroque renovation led by Carlo Antonio Carlone. Among its most significant works of art are 14 Stations of the Cross paintings by Martin Johann Schmidt, known as Kremser Schmidt, dating from around 1770. The church offers both an architectural perspective on the Baroque period and a specific cycle of works by the artist.
The small temporary exhibition “Favianis – Roman Mautern” is on display at the town hall. Admission is free during public opening hours; check the latest visitor information before your visit. The Roman Museum Mautern is currently undergoing a comprehensive redesign and is being relocated to a different site. The temporary exhibition at the town hall and the museum’s redesign are separate points to bear in mind when planning your visit.
Cycling, running and walking routes
A section of the Danube Cycle Path from Passau to Vienna passes through the Wachau and leads directly to Mautern. There is also a Nextbike rental station in town, at the Römerhalle car park. The Wachau Running and Nordic Walking Centre offers six running and Nordic walking routes, ranging from 5.2 to 19.2 kilometres. One was specially designed for wheelchair users; this applies to that particular route, not to all routes in general.
For bus connections, the Wachau WL2 line connects Krems with Mautern. Buses run along the right bank of the Danube every one to two hours; check the timetable for your travel date. The nearest major railway station is in Krems an der Donau. Trains towards St. Pölten stop in the neighbouring village of Furth-Palt. Bus and train services offer different options for planning your journey, but do not provide a basis for determining a specific travel time.
Wachau wine around Mautern
White wines dominate the vineyards around Mautern. Wachau wines from these vineyards are classified as Steinfeder, Federspiel and Smaragd. Together with the Roman sites, parish church and walking routes, they offer different ways to enjoy a stay: culture and history, outdoor activities or the wine landscape. If you’re looking for accommodation, you can first decide which of these themes you want to focus on, then plan your arrival using the relevant bus and train connections.
Discover more destinations: Krustetten, Rastenfeld, Ötz, Grafenegg, Straß im Straßertale, Mitterarnsdorf, Wösendorf in der Wachau, Krems an der Donau
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