Laakirchen

With just under 10,000 inhabitants, Laakirchen is the youngest town in Upper Austria and the Capital of Culture region. Laakirchen experienced a social, cultural and economic upswing with the beginning of industrialization in the 19th century. In earlier times, the Traun served as a transport route for the salt trade, but later it was used for energy generation and paper production in the villages of Danzermühl and Steyrermühl. Thus, Laakirchen developed into an interesting business and investment location with many innovative and globally active companies, well-connected small and medium-sized enterprises as well as committed individual businesses.

Laakirchen is a hot spot of living industrial culture and is to be further developed as a competence center in the region.

In the halls of the “Old Factory”, industrial history is still alive today in the Paper Worlds and the spirit of days long gone can be felt. Old machines that are still fully functional, a lithography workshop, a fire department and printing museum, a gallery, the cultural and event center and the papermaking museum are all united on the museum peninsula in the village of Steyrermühl. The exhibition presents historical as well as contemporary topics related to paper production, highlights aspects of industrial history and the importance of the Traun River as a supplier of resources and energy. Unique in Europe is the true-to-the-original replica of Nicolas Louis Robert’s first paper machine, which can be marveled at. In addition, the art of hand papermaking is practiced in the museum to this day. Visitors have the opportunity to make their own paper.

The cultural and event center “ALFA”, created on the museum peninsula, combines industry and handicraft as part of our culture and art as an expression of contemporary culture. The halls of the “Alte Fabrik” provide the ideal setting for cabaret, top-class concerts, readings, arts and crafts markets, exhibitions and much more. The flair of the location is very popular with both artists and guests. A visit to the Papierwelten can also be wonderfully combined with a walk along the idyllic banks of the Traun River and a detour to the nearby “Gschröf” (a show power plant) or a visit to the playground in front of the ALFA.

Offers for generations in intact nature are part of our culture.

For many years, special attention has been paid in the city to the promotion of children and young people, care for senior citizens and sports. Thus, Laakirchen’s residents as well as visitors can choose from a wide repertoire of possibilities. The sports and recreation center offers facilities such as an outdoor pool with a 70-meter water slide, diving tower, etc., indoor and outdoor tennis courts, skate park, climbing wall, athletics facility, soccer, fistball, beach volleyball courts, fun court, asphalt track, badminton and archery hall. Recreational activities such as walking, hiking, biking are also available in the beautiful, gently rolling landscape of the Alpine foothills. Along the signposted hiking and biking trails, which often offer a beautiful view of the Northern Alps panorama, restaurants and cider taverns invite you to take a leisurely break. The Traun River, which is famous throughout Europe for its clean water and varied river sections, is a fly-fishing El Dorado.

The Gmöser Moor in Laakirchen is also unique and worth a visit. It is one of the few moors in the foothills of the Alps in Upper Austria. It was formed after the Mindel ice age from a dead ice hole. Today it is a nature reserve with rare flora and fauna that can be admired along a circular path.

Laakirchen is a town where economy, art, nature and social responsibility are well combined and part of our culture.