In Gunskirchen, you’ll encounter various traces of the town’s history: a late Gothic parish church, the prominent pilgrimage church of Maria Fallsbach, and the Baroque branch church of St. Peter in Liedering. The landscape also provides a special setting: the geographical centre of Upper Austria lies in the municipality of Gunskirchen in the Wels-Land district. It is also the state’s centre of area.

Comparing Landscapes and Churches

The landscape includes Ice Age gravel terraces; younger cover gravels are found around Fallsbach. These two details differ not only in location but also in the age of the geological formations. This gives Gunskirchen a specific connection to its landscape, alongside its historic buildings.

Gunskirchen Parish Church is dedicated to St. Martin and is late Gothic. It was first mentioned in the Mondsee Book of Traditions in 819 or 820. The church stands on a spur of a high terrace. Two aspects come together here: its long history as recorded in written sources and its location in the landscape.

Maria Fallsbach stands north of Gunskirchen on a step in the hills. The terrain slopes down to the south and east, making the church visible from afar. It is a single-nave late Gothic hall church with a western entrance tower. Maria Fallsbach is first mentioned in documents between 1121 and 1138 as “Manegolt de Volespach.” The present-day church, however, was built in 1516–1517. This makes it possible to distinguish in time between the early written record of the place and the construction of the present church.

The Pilgrims’ Fountain stands south of the church. Its magnificent wrought-iron work features additive patterns made from round iron and rods with floral motifs. The Baroque, octagonal, curved fountain canopy dates from around 1700. The fountain adds a distinctive piece of craftsmanship to the church complex.

St. Peter in Liedering has another history of construction and tradition. The Baroque branch church belongs to Gunskirchen Parish. The Wiesenquelle spring lies beneath the church. According to local tradition, it was believed to have healing powers, particularly for eye ailments; this is a historical local belief, not a medical claim.

Trails, Winter and Regional Products

Numerous hiking and cycling trails lead through the areas around Gunskirchen and to well-kept snack stops and restaurants. This makes it easy to combine outdoor activity with a place to stop for a bite to eat on a tour. Gunskirchen is also the destination of the Großer Wanderweg (Great Hiking Trail). For specific planning, it is advisable to check the current route.

If you’d like to include seasonal activities, Gunskirchen offers opportunities for ice stock sport and ice skating in winter. In addition to winter activities, hiking and cycling trails offer a way to explore the surrounding area.

Regional products are another local discovery. The Stockingergut’s shop offers everything from the Upper Austrian classic “Mischlingsmost” to Frizzante. The selection may change. Alongside churches and trails, regional produce provides another way to connect with the area during your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lambach, Holzhausen, Au An Der Traun, Eberstalzell, Krenglbach, Stadl-Traun, Fischlham, Pennewang.

Back to the main travel overview: Wels-Land.