Enns: Austria's Oldest Town
City tower, Roman camp and early Christianity on the Enns river
HighlightsOberösterreichPhoto: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Languages
- German, English
Enns proudly calls itself Austria's oldest town. Your guide shows you how almost 2,000 years of history lie layer upon layer here.
Its town charter of 1212 is among the oldest in the country, but the story goes back much further. In Roman times this was Lauriacum, with a large legionary fortress on the frontier of the empire. Your guide shows you where Roman traces can still be seen and what the Lauriacum Museum reveals about life on the Limes.
In the middle of the main square stands the 16th-century city tower, the symbol of Enns. Around the square, town houses tell of trade on the border between Upper and Lower Austria.
A highlight is the Basilica of St. Laurenz, beneath which remains of early Christian churches were found. It recalls St. Florian, patron saint of Upper Austria, who is said to have served here. The tour is private and priced per group.
Highlights
- City tower on the main square
- Roman Lauriacum and its museum
- Basilica of St. Laurenz with early Christian remains
- The story of St. Florian
- Town houses of an old trading town
The route
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1Main square
The centre with the city tower.
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2Old town lanes
Town houses and remains of the fortifications.
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3Lauriacum Museum
Finds from the Roman frontier town.
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4Basilica of St. Laurenz
Church built over early Christian foundations.
Who this tour is for
For history lovers, Danube travellers and guests travelling between Linz and Vienna.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included in the price?
No. Entrance fees, for example for the Lauriacum Museum or the city tower, are not included.
Can Enns be combined with Mauthausen?
Yes. The two towns are close together and combine well into a half or full day.
