Schloss Großsölk

About the museum

The small castle in Großsölk was built between the 14th and 16th centuries on the old trade route over the Sölk Pass and served pack-animal drivers as a resting place and inn. Originally the property of the sovereign, in the 16th century it passed to the Freiherren von Hofmann and later to the Herbersteins, before being sold to the Jesuit Order in 1617.

In 1743 the Jesuits had the former manorial stable converted into the church of St. Leonhard, which still stands connected to the castle on a rock. After the dissolution of the order, the building served as a parsonage. Gothic window frames and ribbed vaults have been preserved inside.

Since 1998 the listed castle has been the seat of the visitor centre of the Sölktäler Nature Park, which has existed since 1983. In six medieval rooms the nature park presents exhibitions: on the tradition of the Ennstaler Steirerkas cheese from the Middle Ages to today, on the consequences of climate change for plants and animals with a quiz and hands-on stations, and on light pollution. In the inner courtyard grows the Sölk Jesuit Garden with over 200 medicinal and culinary herbs, old vegetable varieties and wild plants, redesigned in 2024.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Das Gold der Almen" about the Ennstaler Steirerkas
• Hands-on exhibition "Klimagewinner! Klimaverlierer?"
• Sölk Jesuit Garden with over 200 plants, freely accessible at any time
• Church of St. Leonhard in the former stable
• Gothic castle rooms on the historic Sölk Pass route

Permanent exhibitions

• Das Gold der Almen – The exhibition in the castle gallery traces the cheese-making tradition of the Ennstaler Steirerkas from the Middle Ages to the present.
• Sölker Jesuitengarten – Recognised teaching and demonstration garden in the castle courtyard with over 200 medicinal and culinary herbs, old vegetable varieties and rare wild plants.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Naturpark Sölktäler GmbH

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Schladming-Dachstein Card. The Jesuit Garden in the castle courtyard is free to enter.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The climate change exhibition, with its quiz and stations to touch and marvel at, is expressly designed for children too; the nature park's school programmes lead into the Jesuit Garden (herbal ointment, herb salt, herb snack).

Getting there & parking

The castle is in the village of Großsölk on the provincial road through the Großsölk valley to the Sölk Pass.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle and castle courtyard can be used on request for events, weddings and private celebrations.

Plan your visit