Expertise on the subject of "Stoabloß"

As far as I know, the majority of these beautiful stone-block farmsteads, as you see them today, were built in the middle of the 19th century. Farms that burnt down during this period due to lightning strikes or carelessness on the part of the owners or servants were rebuilt in stone-block style. But the upswing after the end of the manorial estates in 1848-50 was also noticeable.

The residential and commercial areas of the farms were rebuilt and extended to make them fireproof. Masonry was built with stones (bricks were still too expensive), clay and sand (brook sand). Plastering was done with clay and lime. The stones were laid bare in order to save lime for cost reasons and the gaps between the stones were plastered.

The stones/findlings (Mühlviertel granite findlings) were taken from fields and meadows or from their own quarry, which almost every farmer owned.
It was important that the stone had two good sides for the wall (the cornerstone even needed three good sides). The preparation (so-called levelling) of the stones for walling was a winter job for the farmers and servants. The thickness of the walls gave the courtyards stability and insulation. On the ground floor, the walls were 60-100 cm thick, on the upper floor 60-80 cm, i.e. approx. 20 cm less for the false ceiling. These exposed stones were transported with a "stoa troag", depending on the weight of the stone, with a two-, four- or six-man stretcher (named after the number of men who transported them).

The lime was processed, slaked and stored in the lime pit. Each farm had such a lime pit to later whitewash the spaces outside, the stables for 3-5 years and also the living areas every year.

The 12.5 km long themed circular hiking trail in Hirschbach has been in existence since 2009. A hiking trail of diversity, dedicated to stones in general. From beautiful Mühlviertler Steinbloß houses to various stone walls and natural stone walls.
The trail begins in the village at the first Stoabloß house on the trail, namely a former mill, now the Farmhouse Furniture Museum. Along the way you can see how the "Mühlviertler granite stones" were used. The route leads past the typical Mühlviertel three-sided farmsteads, three-sided one-jumpers and stately four-sided farmsteads with their outbuildings and some modern remodelled farmsteads that have been left in the stone castle style. You can also see stone walls, stone benches.....
The hiker should be made aware of the versatile use of "Mühlviertel granite".
You can find out more at over 25 signposted Steinbloßhöfe (house - farm name, time of origin and events) and outbuildings along the hiking route.
The typical, beautiful stone-built farmstead characterises the centre of stone-built farming in the Mühlviertel region with the communities of Hirschbach, Ottenschlag and the village of Stiftung near Neumarkt im Mühlkreis.

A contribution from hiking trail supervisor and initiator

Josef L. Plöchl