Römerweg 651 durchs Melker Alpenvorland

Description

The Römerweg is a well-signposted circular hiking trail in the Melk Alpine foothills with a length of 96 kilometers and a walking time of around 30 hours. The trail stretches from the entrance gate in the Wachau to the nearby mountain peaks in Ötscherland. The highest point on the trail is the Grüntalkogel at 886 meters. The Roman Trail leads through 8 communities in the Melk Alpine foothills (Schollach, Hürm, St. Margarethen, Bischofstsetten, Kilb, Texingtal, Kirnberg and Mank). Cultural highlights include Schallaburg Castle with its Renaissance garden and the 800-year-old Plankenstein Castle.

Some sections of the route run along old Roman roads (Bischofstetten, Kilb, Luft area) - hence the name. Traces of the Romans can also be found in old gravestones, inscriptions, burial mounds and excavations. The former "Roman Imperial and Postal Road" also led from Cetium (today's St. Pölten) through the area.

The trail has the characteristics of a meditative pilgrimage path and a natural landscape circular trail. There are four pilgrimage churches along the way:

_Maria Mank am grünen Anger
_Maria Steinparz
_the "Golden Church" in St. Gotthard
_Maria Schnee in Plankenstein

The "Queen of country parish churches" in Kilb is also impressive. Countless chapels, wayside shrines and shrines line the picturesque path.

Many passages lead through a fairytale landscape, through magnificent beech forests, fantastic ridges with a high proportion of natural paths. The rural landscape is dotted with farmsteads and cider cellars. Meadows duel with fields, spruce trees alternate with beech forests. And hikers are constantly surprised by new discoveries.

Countless vantage points offer panoramic views of the Ötscherland, Alpine foothills, Pielach Valley, the Wachau region and towards St. Pölten, for example at the Ötscherblick on the Walzberg or at the orientation table on the Bichlberg.

15 milestone boards along the route highlight the many inventions and achievements of the Romans, which continue to have an impact to this day. Latin language, Roman numerals, wine and fruit refinement, jurisdiction, bridge and road construction,...