The number “27” seems to follow a theme here in the town of Freyung. There are 27 districts. It’s 27km to the city of Passau. And it’s 27km to the Austrian border. The only odd thing out is that it’s 17km to the border of the Czech Republic.
We won’t hold that against it. ;-)
Freyung’s geography isn’t the only thing I’m here to talk about. However, I can be here for a while to tell you about the Buchberger Leite. This 100-meter deep gorge is quite a popular place to see when you’re here. You’re not too far if you’re over by the Neuenbuchberg ruins — so, head on over.
While you’re out in the idyllic countryside, travel along the Goldener Steig (Golden Trail). It’s not as daunting as it might sound (hence its sweetening name ;-). This was once a 14th century trade route that went to Bohemia, but you can still see the mule tracks from the animals that used to carry their wares.
In neighboring Waldkirchen there’s a museum that details the history of this medieval trading route.
The medieval of Freyung doesn’t stop at the pack animal tracks. You’ve got a medieval castle too. The only thing is Burg Wolfstein doesn’t look like a medieval castle from the 13th century, even though it was one. Once.
Burg Wolfstein underwent a renovation of sorts back in the 16th century, so that’s what you’re looking at now. Inside is an extensive art collection, and it houses a Hunting & Fishing Museum.
Freyung’s Pilgrimage Church of St. Anna is also a blend of the medieval and the 16th century. Its inside has both Gothic and Baroque artwork — and here’s the scoop on the picture of St. Anna — it’s a copy; this one from the 1633. You know what that means? Yup, the original was much older.
Our last stop in Freyung is the Schramlhaus, the town’s Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum), where the building itself is a piece of the town’s history. As well as it should be, it was built sometime in the 17th century. On the inside are exhibits on the town’s glass making history.
That sure is a lot of history and activity all within a 27 kilometer radius — makes it just perfect then.
