Marchtrenk offers travellers two clear areas of focus: cultural and historical discoveries and cycling. The city museum introduces visitors to a historic longhouse; the Danube Swabian Museum tells stories of leaving, fleeing and arriving, while the water tower and Path of Peace explore other chapters of history. Alongside these, there is a well-developed cycling network with a direct connection to the supraregional Traun River Cycle Path. If you are planning an overnight stay in Marchtrenk, you can tailor your visit according to whether you would like to focus more on museums and places of remembrance or on cycling.
The History of the City at Heidehaus
The Marchtrenk City Museum is located in Heidehaus, a historic longhouse on the Wels Heath dating from 1869. The building is one of Marchtrenk’s oldest houses and is itself part of the city’s cultural and historical story. The museum displays documents and photographs, as well as special exhibits such as the “Iron Table” and the “Marchtrenk Cradle.”
A dedicated section focuses on the horse-drawn railway: its 200-year history is explored in detail across two rooms. The city museum thus ranges from individual documents and exhibits to an in-depth presentation of a particular historical topic. Visitors who want to learn about Marchtrenk through its history will find a variety of approaches here, rather than just a single narrative.
Stories of the Danube Swabians
The Danube Swabian Museum tells its story through several stages: arriving and living “there,” leaving and fleeing, arriving and living “here,” and looking to the future. This sequence draws attention both to past ways of life and to departure and life afterwards. Interactive features and a range of perspectives invite visitors of all generations to explore these historical narratives.
The museum, which opened in July 2026, is located in the former “Kellerwirt.” The building was constructed in 1953/54 in the centre of a settlement area inhabited by numerous families who had been expelled from their homes. It once served as a social gathering place for weddings, celebrations and dances. The building’s former use and its importance to social life are therefore also part of the history of this museum site.
Water Tower and Path of Peace
The water tower was built in 1915 as a water reservoir. On the ground floor is a permanent exhibition about the prisoner-of-war camp, created by the Marchtrenk Museum Association. The tower thus brings together a historic building and an exhibition on this subject.
Another place of remembrance is the Marchtrenk Path of Peace, established in 2014. It commemorates, in particular, the two world wars and the subsequent reconstruction. Together with the museums, it offers another way to engage with history: here, the focus is on remembrance and the period of reconstruction.
Cycling as a Second Way to Explore
Marchtrenk has an excellent cycling network with a direct connection to the supraregional Traun River Cycle Path. This offers another focus for planning a trip alongside the cultural and historical attractions. You can tailor your stay to the museums and places of remembrance, or make cycling the priority. These interests can be given separate emphasis when planning; there is no need to follow a particular order.
When looking for a hotel in Marchtrenk, it helps to decide in advance what you would like to focus on. The city museum and the Danube Swabian Museum offer different historical narratives; the water tower and the Path of Peace add to the places of remembrance. The cycling network provides a distinct focus on cycling. Choosing where to stay in Marchtrenk therefore starts with deciding which of these aspects you would like to explore further.
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