Every journey begins with a first step ...

Peace dove at the NEW TOWN HALL

From the main square (Tourist Information Linz) the route takes us steeped in history to the Nibelungen Bridge over the Danube.

There we reach the JERUSALEM WAY peace dove made of stainless steel at the "New Town Hall"! The dove of peace is oriented exactly east, towards Jerusalem. See photos from the grand opening in September 2023 here: open link

After crossing the bridge, we see the "New Town Hall" of Linz on the left and the Ars Electonica Center on the right, where the Jerusalemweg now leads us directly to the left bank of the Danube. From here we follow the Danube cycle path R15 downstream for about 1 kilometers.

Shortly before the Danube power plant in Abwinden-Asten, we turn left and cross the side arm of the Danube on a bridge. With the subsequent underpass we can safely cross the Donaubundesstraße B3 to Abwinden, keep to the right and follow the R1 cycle path for a while until we turn left into Oberfeldstraße. After the railway underpass we keep to the right and where the path leads up and we have a beautiful view and can already see the church of St. Georgen / Gusen.

It is important to mention that the tunnel system "B8 Bergkristall" is located directly. It was one of the largest and most modern underground production complexes of the Greater German Reich (underground aircraft factory for knife-cut jet fighters)! After the parish church we are already at the main square of St. Georgen / Gusen. By the way, pilgrims are welcome in the vicarage (opposite the church). We follow the signs to the right and follow the main or Mauthausener Straße to the east, turn left shortly after the railway underpass and now uphill through a settlement, then left again through the small forest, over a field path and past a wayside shrine in the direction of Frankenberg get. We pass another wayside shrine and cross and various farmsteads, but stay on the road that leads us downhill. Caution: Where the road runs between 2 farmsteads, we turn left and walk slightly uphill on a field path to the asphalted goods road, go approx. 50m to the right and then left - on the asphalted goods road - go straight ahead for a while. There we turn left, downhill into a ravine. At the bottom, we keep to the right twice to reach the Wienergraben, where we continue left to the entrance to the Mauthausen memorial site. The entrance is on the right hand.

There we get to the notorious stairs of death, which we carefully climb up with a queasy feeling. At the top we reach the former Mauthausen concentration camp. Allow enough time to see everything and to remember what man is capable of and never to forget! After the visit, we leave the area downhill on the Memorial Road, turn left at the Frellerhof cider tavern - downhill into a ravine - and reach the well-signposted Ufer Straße. This takes us further down to Mauthausen. Within sight of the outdoor pool we come to Linzerstraße, keep to the left and then reach the impressive promenade of Mauthausen in the vicinity of the left bank of the Danube.

Tip: There is a pilgrim stamp in the parish church! In Mauthausen we find accommodation and numerous catering options and regardless of that, a visit is worthwhile!

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Pilgrim accommodation

Examples of cheap accommodation:

- 4310 Mauthausen: Parish of Mauthausen

- 4310 Mauthausen: Peterseil's Radl room, Reiferdorf 11, Tel. +43 7238 2864