Asten: Moor, Ice Age and Church Art

A kettle moraine pond, a wetland with migratory birds and a church with Rococo furnishings give Asten a distinctive character: here, an Ice Age-shaped landscape meets art history. There are also southerly views across the Salzach basin towards the Salzkammergut and the Chiemgau Alps. If you enjoy combining nature watching and historical details in one destination, Asten offers different ways to do so.

Moraine Landscape and Astner Moos

Asten lies on an Ice Age moraine. The view extends south across the Salzach basin towards the Salzkammergut and the Chiemgau Alps. The landscape is more than just a backdrop: it also gives an impression of the area’s Ice Age origins.

South of Asten, Astner Moos lies in a large dead-ice depression. The kettle moraine pond and surrounding wetland have been protected since 1987. Pedestrians can access the edge of the nature reserve. Migratory birds stop to rest at Astner Moos; bird species found here include the Sedge Warbler and the Gadwall. Amphibians, reptiles and dragonflies also live there.

The pond, wetland and wildlife are all part of a shared nature theme here. If you like to look beyond a single body of water and take in an entire habitat, Astner Moos offers several aspects to explore in a compact area.

A Trail Through Ice Age History

The Ice Age Circular Trail connects the landscape with the story of how the pond formed. Along the walking trail, you can learn more about the pond and its formation in connection with the Salzach Glacier. A visit therefore focuses not only on the present-day landscape, but also on its Ice Age origins.

Rococo and Gothic Details in the Church

The Church of the Assumption of Mary in Asten adds a cultural highlight. Two side altars date from 1662. The Rococo high altar was created by J. G. Itzlfeldner in 1747, followed by the Rococo tabernacle in 1765. The sacristy doors and south portal also feature Gothic furnishings. The dates and different styles make the church’s art history tangible through specific details.

When looking for accommodation in Asten, consider which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay: the moraine landscape with its moor and Ice Age Circular Trail, or the church’s historic furnishings. This can help you take the travel themes that matter to you into account when choosing where to stay.

More to Explore in the Wider Tittmoning Destination

The wider Tittmoning destination offers its own cultural and landscape highlights to complement Asten’s attractions. The Rupertiwinkel Museum comprises 23 historic exhibition rooms with original floors and ceilings from the 17th century. Exhibits include prehistoric and early historic finds, as well as regional folk art. The museum also preserves 130 Tittmoning shooting targets dating from 1600 to 1930.

Tittmoning’s 298-metre-long town square is a unified listed ensemble with colourful façades in the regionally distinctive Inn-Salzach style. The almost completely preserved town wall dates from the mid-13th century, is 1,700 metres long and encloses the town centre and Tittmoning Castle.

The Salzach floodplain near Tittmoning is also a distinct nature area: it forms part of the FFH site 7744-371, “Salzach and Lower Inn,” and belongs to the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

For an overview of the wider destination: Tittmoning.