Mur Valley
To the west and east of Murau extends the Mur valley, in a still largely unspoiled upland region of pasture and woodland, with ample scope for walkers. The Mur rises at the Murtörl, east of Badgastein in the province of Salzburg, flows through the Lungau and enters Styria at Predlitz. It then continues eastward between the Niedere Tauern to the north and the Gurktal Alps to the south, cuts through the hills south of Bruck, flows through Graz and finally joins the Drau (Drava) in Yugoslavia.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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In the Mur valley, between the Tauern and the heights of central Styria (Stubalpe, Gleinalpe, Koralpe) lies Murau ( old-time railroad up the Mur valley), with a holiday area on the Stolzalpe. To the southeast of the town stands the Benedictine abbey of St Lambrecht. Further east will be found the old commercial and industrial towns of Judenburg and Knittelfeld, to the north of which lie the Benedictine abbey of Seckau, one of the finest monasteries in the province (basilica with Late Gothic stellar-vaulted roof) and the Österreichring, a well-known motor racing circuit.
The Mur Valley has something to offer for everyone, all around the year.
The Mur Valley has something to offer for everyone, all around the year.
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Krakaudorf, Austria
The health resort of Krakaudorf near Murau (1,172m/3,845ft; pop. 550) has an interesting parish church (15th and 18th C.) with a painted coffered ceiling, altar paintings and frescos (1790). In the Late Gothic daughter church (c. 1500) can be seen a Renaissance winged altar (1521). The village has retained many old customs, such as races and bell ringing competitions held at Shrovetide.
Mur Valley Railway
The normal trains which run in the Mur valley are modern stock and diesels; however, a few steam locomotives remain in use for nostalgic "Oldtimer" journeys. The Mur Valley Railway (Murtalbahn) operates in summer between Tamsweg and Unzmarkt. Once a week a slow steam train runs to both those places from Murau, which lies roughly half way between them. Trips for amateur enthusiasts are also possible - book in advance at the travel agency in Murau.
Ober Zeiring, Austria
The town of Oberzeiring near Fohnsdorf contains a silver mine and museum, a skiing museum and a tobacco museum.
Ober Zeiring - Tobacco Museum
The tobacco museum in Ober Zeiring has information on the killer weed.
St Lambrecht, Austria
The market town of St Lambrecht (1,036m/3,399ft), situated near Murau in a nature park, is the seat of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th C., probably by monks from St Blasien in the Black Forest. The church, with twin onion-domed towers, a beautiful pulpit and richly carved choir stalls, dates from the 14th-15th C., the other buildings from the 17th-18th C. The abbey possesses an art collection and a collection of Austrian birds. The parish church of St Peter (1424) has fine carved winged altars.
