State of Lower Austria

Introduction

Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) is the largest federal state in Austria, surrounding the capital city Vienna. With a population of approximately 1.72 million inhabitants, it is the second most populous state in Austria, with Sankt Pölten serving as its capital since 1986.

Geography and Landscape

The state covers an area of 19,186 square kilometers and features diverse landscapes, including the Danube valley, the Pannonian plains in the southeast, and parts of the Eastern Alps. The region is particularly notable for its extensive agricultural areas, with 941,627 hectares dedicated to farming.

Wine and Culinary Heritage

Lower Austria is Austria's largest quality wine-producing region, featuring three main wine territories:

Wine Regions

• Wachau in the North
• Danube region on Vienna's western side
• Pannonian Lower Austria in the Southeast

Local Specialties

The region is famous for several distinctive products:

• Grüner Veltliner: A signature wine with a peppery fresh taste
• Most (Must): Traditional fruit juice drink, especially popular in the Mostviertel region
• Marchfeld Asparagus: Premium vegetable production from the eastern plains

Cultural Features

The "Weinstraße" (Wine Road) stretches 830 kilometers through the region, connecting eight distinct wine regions and over 150 wine villages. The route includes approximately 1,500 inns and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Attractions

Melk ※

Melk sits at the confluence of the Danube and Melk rivers, marking the western gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley. The town's crown jewel is the magnificent Melk Abbey, a Baroque masterpiece built between 1702 and 1739, which houses a world-famous library containing over 100,000 volumes that inspired Umberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose'. Originally a Roman garrison and later the castle-residence of Austria's first ruling Babenberg dynasty, Melk has been a spiritual and cultural centre for over 900 years. The town is renowned for its exceptional culinary scene, featuring traditional Austrian dishes like 'Rieslingsbeuscherl' (veal cooked in Riesling), locally-produced wines, and delectable apricot-based treats, including homemade ice cream and spirits. Beyond its architectural splendour, Melk offers delightful experiences such as strolling through the abbey's paradisiacal park with its Baroque pavilion and 'Talking Stones', or taking boat excursions along the picturesque Danube.

Dürnstein ※

Dürnstein, a picturesque medieval town of about 900 inhabitants nestled along the Danube in the Wachau Valley, is renowned for its striking blue abbey tower and dramatic castle ruins. The town gained historical significance when King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in its castle in 1192, during which time he composed the medieval ballad 'Ja nus hons pris'. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage site is celebrated for its exceptional white wines, particularly Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, produced in the surrounding vineyards that cling to the steep riverbank terraces. The town's name derives from 'dürr' (dry) and 'stein' (stone), referring to the rocky outcrop upon which the castle was built. Visitors can wander through narrow cobbled streets lined with 16th-century residences, and the town particularly comes alive during the summer solstice when hundreds of torch-bearing boats illuminate the Danube at twilight.

Heiligenkreuz Abbey ※

Founded in 1133 by Margrave Leopold III, Heiligenkreuz Abbey is the second-oldest Cistercian monastery in the world and the oldest continuously active one. With around 200,000 visitors annually and nearly 100 monks, it stands as one of Europe's most vibrant monasteries. The abbey houses an impressive collection of approximately 30,000 coins and numerous paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries, including works by renowned artists like Rottmayr and Altomonte. One of its most treasured possessions is a Holy Cross particle brought from Jerusalem in 1182, which remains one of the largest such relics north of the Alps. The monastery features unique artefacts such as an 1808 glass organ, and has a rich musical tradition dating back to 1578, with its first music school established in the early 17th century, where both choral singing and Baroque music flourished. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails winding through the surrounding forest, offering a chance to experience the natural beauty that originally attracted the Cistercian order to this location.

Kreuzenstein Castle

Perched 265 metres above sea level near Leobendorf in Lower Austria, Kreuzenstein Castle is a fascinating blend of authentic medieval architecture and 19th-century reconstruction. Though originally built in the 12th century as 'Grizanstein', the castle was rebuilt in the 1870s using genuine medieval components gathered from across Europe, making it both a neo- and original medieval structure. Today, visitors can explore the castle's remarkable features through guided tours, including its impressive armoury housing one of Europe's largest collections of medieval weapons, a kitchen featuring a Leonardo da Vinci invention, and atmospheric chambers adorned with period-appropriate furnishings. The castle has caught Hollywood's attention, serving as a filming location for 'Season of the Witch', whilst its grounds host spectacular falconry shows at the Kreuzenstein Eagle Sanctuary. After exploring the castle's courtyard, complete with its historic battering ram and medieval well, visitors can dine at the recently renovated Burgtaverne Kreuzenstein, a restaurant designed to recreate the ambiance of a medieval tavern, serving traditional fare such as goulash and topfen strudel.

Schönbühel Castle

Sitting on a 40-metre rocky promontory above the Danube River, Schönbühel Castle is a striking architectural marvel in Lower Austria's picturesque Wachau Valley. Originally built in the early 12th century by Marchwardus de Schoenbuchele as a defensive fortress, the castle likely stands on the site of an ancient Roman fortification. After falling into disrepair during the Starhemberg family's 400-year ownership, the castle was renovated and made habitable again in 1821 by Count Franz von Beroldingen. Today, visitors can admire this majestic structure whilst enjoying the UNESCO World Heritage landscape, perhaps during a river cruise along the Danube or whilst sampling the region's renowned white wines and authentic cuisine from Best-of-Wachau establishments, which pride themselves on using local ingredients and maintaining close relationships with regional producers.