Sights of Austria
Austria is a country that attracts thousands of tourists all year round with a variety of attractions that combine pristine, breathtakingly beautiful nature and ancient castles, churches, cathedrals, museums with unique preserved exhibits.
The sights of Austria are located in unique picturesque cities.
Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt is a pearl city in the southern part of Austria , located on the warm lake Werthersee , which impresses with a combination of modern cafes and boutiques with many ancient courtyards and original buildings in the Baroque style. The city is home to unique sights, thanks to which the pearl of Austria becomes one of the favorite cities for tourists from all over the world.
Landhaus
The Landhaus is an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance era, built in the 16th century on the site of a burned down castle. The most valuable part of the monument is the large coat of arms hall with the depiction of scenes from history on the ceiling, made by the artist Fromiller , which in the past hosted guests for lavish celebrations.
The Landhaus opens its doors to everyone in the summer.
Klagenfurt Cathedral
The monument is one of the unique samples of the country’s Protestant culture. Tourists are offered to explore the cathedral, decorated with stucco, listen to the amazing sounds of the organ during the service and even take photos as a souvenir.
In the interior of the cathedral there is a preserved painting by the artist Johann Schmidt .
Today, the Klagenfurt Cathedral is open to everyone.
New town hall
The New Town Hall is a three-story palace with a facade of 15 windows in the classical style on the western part of the New Square, built by Johann Rosenberg after buying the ruins of the building in 1650 from the prince-bishop, which remained after the fire.
In 1700, the New Town Hall was affected by fire for the second time and was rebuilt.
For a long time, the building was the venue for lavish celebrations and receptions. The walls of the palace commemorate the accession of Emperor Leopold I , the visit of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Charles IV . Since 1918, the city council has been located here.
Tourists are impressed by the magnificence of the double Ionic pilasters in the central part of the facade, the large pediment in the form of a triangle, characteristic of the classicism style.
Lindwurm fountain
The Lindwurm monumental fountain is one of the most visited and favorite tourist attractions on a high pedestal.
Two characters can be seen on the fountain – a hero with a stick, ready to make a decisive blow, and an angry dragon, the symbol of the city of Klagenfurt, which adorns the city’s gift coins, coat of arms and stamps, from whose mouth a stream of water pours into a bowl. The composition is surrounded by an elegant forged fence.
The creation of the fountain is connected with an ancient legend about the creation of the city, where a dragon raged in the local lake and carried the inhabitants into the depths of the lake. The bravest warriors were sent to fight the monster, who lured the dragon out of the lake and killed it, restoring peace to the local residents. A city was built on the site of the drained lake. The amazing legend was confirmed by the discovery of a huge skull of an unseen beast in Klagenfurt.
There is a local belief that during a walk during the full moon on Lake Vertesee, you can hear the screams of the dragon’s captives, capable of losing your mind.
Melk
Among the attractions of the city of Melk are castles, impressive with the beauty of architecture and monasteries, which attract thousands of tourists.
Wine and Baxay shop
The wine products of local producers are presented in the two-story wine shop. The store was founded in 1999. In the tasting room, located in the spacious basement, you can try any types of wine and enjoy their exquisite taste.
The ethnic interior of the hall is decorated with old bottles in niches, an old wooden barrel, which is used as a table, with a wine list.
As souvenirs, you can buy original corkscrews, glasses and collectible bottles here.
Artstetten Castle
The castle is located in the Melka district and is the residence of the descendants of Archduke Franz Ferdinand – Hohenberg .
Visitors are offered a walk in the park on the grounds of Artstetten Castle and visit the attached Franz Ferdinand Museum .
In the church of the castle there is a crypt where the Archduke and his wife Sophia, who were killed in 1914, are buried.
Benedictine monastery
The monument impresses tourists with its scale (area – 17.5 thousand square meters) and beauty.
The monastery was repeatedly affected by fires, taking its present form only in 1718. In 1978, grandiose restoration works were carried out.
The main object of attention here is the impressive marble hall of 1731 with its magnificent frescoes, which was originally built for lavish celebrations.
The library of the monastery has more than 100,000 volumes, including incunabula and manuscripts.
Visitors will enjoy walking through the monastery park, where you can admire the grandeur of three-hundred-year-old trees and the garden pavilion with a variety of Berl’s frescoes .
Hallstatt
The city of Hallstatt is an unspoilt corner of the earth, which impresses with its tranquility in combination with the location among the splendor of the mountains and unique sights.
Salt mines
It is impossible not to visit the famous city salt mines, located in the Hallstatt mountains above the city and dating back more than 7,000 years.
In 2004, a unique find was discovered here – the world’s oldest perfectly preserved wooden ladder, 3.5 thousand years old.
Tourists are offered to go up to the mines by funicular or walk, which takes about 40 minutes.
When climbing, tourists have a breathtaking view of Lake Hallstattersee surrounded by mountain ranges, which can be considered another attraction of the city.
Bean House Mortuary
The monument is a room on the first floor of the Gothic chapel of St. Michael’s Church , which houses 1,200 skulls of local residents.
The reason for the creation of the bone house was the tradition of 1720 townspeople, after 10 years from the time of the funeral, to dig up a human corpse and place it under the influence of the sun’s rays for a week. After that, the bones acquire a shade of ivory, are painted and laid out in the chapel with the inscription of the name on the skull, date of death and birth, ornament of leaves, crosses or flowers.
The last skull was added to the vault in 1995.
Evangelical Lutheran Church
The ancient monument of the middle of the 19th century is located on the picturesque shore of the lake, made in the ancient Romanesque style.
Inside the church, you can see unique masterpieces of the religious culture of the world. In the temple there is a famous ancient altar consisting of three areas depicting scenes from the life of the Savior. The open doors of the altar tell the story of Christmas and the worship of the Magi.
Various cultural events are held in the church.
Hallstatt Museum
The museum impresses with exhibits that are up to 7,000 years old.
In the monument, you can learn the history of the development of the culture of the city and its salt mines.
Villach
Villach is a town in the south of the country, located among the mountains, immersed in green grass, where you can see many thermal springs, lakes, nature reserves and cultural monuments.
Landskron Castle
Landskron Castle is the ruins of an ancient fortress spread over the top of a hill 676 meters high.
A large part of the castle was destroyed by fire in the 19th century. To date, several halls have been preserved, which are offered to tourists.
There is a restaurant on the territory of Landskrona Castle, where you can have a pleasant time over lunch with exquisite dishes and drinks. On Tuesdays, a unique event takes place here – a banquet in the style of the Middle Ages, when waiters dress up in ancient costumes.
Tourists can enjoy a picturesque view of the Drau valley with lakes and the Alps from the castle.
In a special part of the castle, birds of prey are kept, which are released from their cages twice a day. Tourists can watch the unique spectacle of the flight of owls, hawks and falcons.
Church of St. Jacob
The Gothic-style church is notable for its 94-meter-high peaked tower and adjacent cemetery.
The present appearance of the church has been preserved since 1847. Tourists are invited to climb the 239 steps to the top to enjoy a wonderful view of the city’s surroundings.
Central Area
One of the attractions of the city is the Central Square, surrounded by ancient buildings that impress with the uniqueness and beauty of architecture.
Automobile museum
For car enthusiasts, a visit to the automobile museum, founded in 1987, will be memorable. Models of cars, scooters, mopeds and motorcycles from 1927 to 1977 are presented here.
Visitors can see more than 240 vintage vehicles on an area of 1,000 square meters. meters Radio receivers, amplifiers and various measuring devices are presented separately.
Conclusion
Despite its small territory , Austria is rich in many monuments of sculpture, architecture, history and religion, which attract dreamers and art connoisseurs to the city. The article lists more colorful places so that you can immerse yourself in the unusual atmosphere of the country’s beautiful nature.
When visiting Austria, the Bone House in Hallstatt will not leave anyone indifferent, which is surprising and remains in the memory of visitors for a long time, the ruins of the Landskron Castle in Fillas will impress every tourist with its grandeur.
The inhabitants of the country are open and friendly people, but it should be remembered that Austrians are unobtrusive and tactful, diplomatic and polite, which is expected from every interlocutor.
Sights of Austria , photos and descriptions of which will not leave anyone indifferent – a unique opportunity to get to know the history and cultural heritage of the country, which impresses with its luxury.
TOP-7 castles in Austria
A trip to Europe for most of our fellow citizens is associated with the Czech Republic, Spain, France and, perhaps, England . Drinking the famous Czech beer in Prague , basking on the beaches of Barcelona , taking pictures against the background of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben is one of the indicators of a typical tourist program.
We suggest expanding your horizons and turning your attention to the homeland of Iron Arnie and the RedBull corporation , which gives wings. Of course , Austria gave the world much more famous personalities: composers, politicians, artists and even the most famous psychiatrist. And ancient castles of extraordinary beauty. Medieval castles are the undoubted beauty of Austria. This country unites nine federal states, each of which is interesting in its own way. Picturesque nature, clean lakes and majestic mountains attract many tourists to this country. Far from being the last place in the fact that these tourist destinations are in high demand at any time of the year, medieval castles are playing – silent witnesses of historical vicissitudes.
Kreuzenstein Castle
Located next to the colorful village of Leobendorf in a picturesque area. We recommend that you start by enjoying the view of the castle from afar – it’s definitely worth it. After that you can go to the entrance. Accommodation is possible only as part of an excursion group.
Worth visiting:
– Armory, where a huge collection of cold weapons is assembled. Some copies are unique and you will not see them anywhere else.
– The Knight’s Hall and the Count’s Hall, here you will learn a lot about the life of noble people in the Middle Ages.
– A chapel where the best local masters left us a reminder of their art. Be sure to climb the Clock Tower – the clock mechanism is impressive.
– Hunting hall. Many weapons that were successfully used during hunting are exhibited – the number of trophies confirms this.
– The kitchen. How about without her? Get your camera ready, because a large 7-meter table is waiting for you, which for some reason attracts the attention of almost everyone. And a huge medieval “airgrill” – you can’t buy such a thing now.
– An underground tunnel that served as a secret passage to the Danube in case of a long siege; another hunted trophy – the skeleton of a smooth whale – is on display right there.
For the sweet: now you can hold a marriage ceremony in the chapel, and lovers of hunting and thrills can be offered falconry.
Ambras Castle
Surrounded by a chic park area, the castle impresses with its grandeur, elegant architecture and is perceived as relatively small. Impressions are deceptive – it is huge. Since long ago, it has been almost completely converted into a museum.
It has:
Habsburg portrait gallery . It contains more than 200 paintings by famous European artists;
Chamber of Arts and Curiosities , designed to frighten an unprepared visitor. Very interesting and extremely unusual scientific instruments, strange figurines, non-trivial musical instruments and much more, mostly unknown, are gathered here. When visiting the castle, visiting this unusual exposition is a must.
Chamber of Arms . We immediately remember our childhood, Ivanhoe and other knights … And we go to the ancient times of knightly tournaments. This topic is very well and detailed for the visitors.
Towers of the castle . For the sake of the view that opens and good photos, it is worth climbing higher.
Park . Neat European-style park with a large artistic lake. Walks between its flower clubs and neatly trimmed bushes contribute to unhurried soulful conversations and pacify. At the lake you can see peacocks, geese and ducks. The birds give the impression of a dignified European aristocracy.
Do you like art? You are here. Creative people will like it here.
Rosenburg Castle
This castle is one of the medieval types of racket and was built on a trade route to extort passage money from merchants. Subsequently, it changed hands several times, and was also restored several times. Due to its complex essence, it combines several styles, but remains one of the most refined, spacious and bright castles. While the castle is characterized by its architecture and decoration, it is worth paying close attention to them:
– More than 20 spacious halls are open for visitors, which have well-preserved interiors, furniture, antique canvases, mirrors and hunting weapons.
– Ancient library. One of the few rooms where you can completely immerse yourself in those ancient times.
Knight’s playground. The most preserved and one of the largest playgrounds in Europe.
– Gardens. A lily pond, a wall of pink bushes that shocks the imagination, a herb garden where aromatic plants are grown.
A pleasant bonus in the form of the Falconry Museum. Here you can listen to a detailed and sometimes shocking story about this art. And, of course, a demonstration of the bird in action.
It is nice that you can freely walk around the castle and take pictures. By the way, the premises of the castle are conducive to walking.
Eggenberg Castle
In appearance, the castle is simple, but extremely elegant. It can be called a “symbolic castle”. 365 windows, 31 rooms on each floor, 24 ceremonial halls, 52 rooms and 4 corner towers. The area is exactly 365 square meters. Pure magic of numbers. The design of the castle is mesmerizing. Must visit:
– Room of the Planets. The main guest room, the walls of which are painted with signs of the zodiac, the planetary system is painted on the ceiling. Atmospheric and unusual for Europe of those years;
– Archaeological Museum. Jewelry, weapons, amphorae, tools, as well as antiquities from the Middle East and Egypt are presented;
– Numismatic collection. More than 70,000 different coins of all years;
– The garden. It is notable for the fact that parts of the garden differ in style.
Schlossberg Castle
Another pride of Graz. The best view of Graz opens from here and this castle is considered number 1 in the city. Not all the buildings of this giant have survived to our days, and now it is the most modernized castle. There are cafes, a theater, a park and souvenir shops on its territory. Sometimes performances and concerts take place under the open sky. Of the ancient buildings, the following have survived:
A clock tower with a non-standard clock. The hour hand in them is longer than the minute hand. A monument to a dog is placed nearby.
Bell tower. It offers a gorgeous view of the city. Spirit captures.
Turkish well. The depth is 94 meters. Provided water during the siege;
Cannon hut. There is a military garrison museum here, but it used to be a prison.
Hohenwerfen Castle
The castle – the guard sat on a high rock and for a long time protected the local lands from any enemy.
A majestic structure that still commands respect and continues to occupy its place of honor in the center of the valley. The castle has experienced so many historical events that the walls here are literally soaked in history. What you should pay attention to:
Falturm Tower. It served as a prison for a long time. Stands out against the general background with its powerful appearance;
Statue of Virgin Mary with baby. Located in the chapel of the castle. Survived all the troubles of the building since the 15th century;
Arsenal and armory rooms. You can get detailed information about the history of weapons over the last 700 years.
Hohosterwitz Castle
The most impressive castle in Austria . Makes a unique impression on everyone. Located on a high rock. It looks like almost every person imagines from childhood. Many changes were made to its architecture and therefore it combines a huge number of styles and directions. Let’s pay attention to the monuments of this castle:
– 14 gates. Each gate has an individual style and face, and behind each there is a story;
– Museum of Renaissance paintings;
– Museum of military glory of the castle. Ancient types of weapons and armor are exhibited. The exhibit that stands out the most is the “Chief of Security” with a height of more than 2 meters;
– Observation decks. Allows you to explore the surroundings at a distance of up to 30 km;
The castle is still owned by the Kevenhuller family, so not all of the castle’s territory is accessible to tourists.