Altheim offers several different highlights for a stay: Roman archaeology, church art, local geothermal energy, and activities involving water and exercise. The shift between excavation finds, architectural reconstructions, and later works of art is particularly revealing. This lets you choose what to see based on the theme that will shape your stay, rather than treating the various attractions as equivalent stops.
Roman Finds and Architectural History
The Altheim Roman Museum is housed in the “Ochezthaus,” a wooden building dating from the mid-19th century with painted fretwork decoration. So, as well as its contents, the building itself is worth a look: its construction and design belong to a different era from the Roman finds displayed here. The permanent exhibition presents finds from excavations in Weirading, Simetsberg, and Wagham. These three sites give the exhibition a specific connection to archaeological work in the surrounding area.
The Villa Weirading Roman Baths offer a different perspective on the Roman past. Reconstructions of the foundations of the bathhouse belonging to a Roman villa are on display there. A cross-section of the building also illustrates the structure of a Roman hypocaust heating system. Unlike the finds in the museum, the focus here is on the building itself and its heating system. Anyone particularly interested in Roman architecture will find two distinct areas of focus: artifacts from several excavations and the reconstruction of a bathhouse with its heating system.
Church Art and Organ History
The Market Church of St. Sebastian houses a Rococo Madonna by J. P. Schwanthaler the Elder, dating from 1784. This artistic highlight can be distinguished from the history of the parish church of St. Lawrence: it was rebuilt by Sebastian Junger between 1516 and 1525 and houses an organ by L. Mooser dating from 1845, considered the largest historic organ in the Innviertel region. The dates represent different aspects: 1516 to 1525 marks the construction of the church, while 1845 is the year the organ was made. The church-related highlights thus range from a single Rococo work of art to the combination of architectural history and organ music.
The Ache, Geothermal Energy and Exercise
The Ache flows through Altheim. Its water is crystal clear, and it is a popular fishing destination. Water is also important to the town as a source of energy: since 1989, sulfur-bearing thermal water has emerged from springs about 2,300 meters deep, and around 800 households are supplied with geothermal energy. Water therefore features here in two different ways—as a river and as the basis for local geothermal energy supply.
There is also a specific option for a cycling trip: Altheim can be reached by bike via the Roman Cycle Route. Altheim's mini golf course offers 18 varied holes and, according to its description, is suitable for both beginners and experienced players. Equipment can be booked and collected by arrangement with the Englwirt. These two different forms of exercise complement the cultural themes: a cycling trip to Altheim and a round of mini golf with holes for players of varying experience levels.
These differences may help you choose the focus of your stay. If you are interested in archaeology, the museum and Roman baths offer different ways to explore Roman history. Church art and organ history provide other highlights; the Ache and geothermal energy turn the focus to water, while the cycle route and mini golf add opportunities for exercise. This lets you weigh your interests when planning a stay in Altheim without combining every theme into a single itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Veit Im Innkreis, Mattighofen, Palting, Moosbach, Sankt Pantaleon, Lehrsberg, Maria Schmolln, Aufhausen
For the broader travel overview: Braunau Am Inn.
