Linz: ancient Austrian city along the Danube

Posted by: admin in Austria, Upper Austria 214 Views

This article is also available in: Italian

Linz is the capital of Upper Austria and is also the third largest city in Austria in terms of number of inhabitants, after Vienna and Graz. The city that rises along the Danube, on the right bank of the river, was founded as a fortified place by the Romans in the 1st century with the name of Lentia.

Linz developed during the Middle Ages as the seat of a castle, called Castrum Lentiae, thanks to its position at the intersection of the Danube and the salt route which connected the Salzkammergut to Bohemia.

The city became an important center of the Holy Roman Empire, here in 1493 the Emperor Frederick III of Habsburg died. Subsequently, at the beginning of the 17th century, the famous astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler lived and worked in this city for a few years.

Linz is today the most important river port in Austria. The city is rich in metallurgical, textile, chemical, steel and mechanical industries, and together with Vienna and Graz is one of the three most important industrial centers in Austria.

Linz
Population: 191.107 (2012)
Altitude: 266 meters above sea level.

WHAT TO SEE IN LINZ

Linz Castle (Linzer Schloss) dominates the Danube and the historic city center, which partly retains its old medieval appearance. Linz is known for its beautiful Baroque churches and its many museums.

The historic part of the city is located on the right bank of the Danube and is centered on the Hauptplatz, a large square near the Danube overlooked by some of the most prestigious buildings of the city such as the Altes Rathaus dating back to the early 16th century but with the facade of the Baroque era. In the square there are also some interesting examples of palaces and stately homes of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the center of the square is the 18th century Trinity column.

Among the other buildings to visit in Linz we find the Castle (Linzer Schloss), a large building built in the 15th century and remodeled several times. The Castle now houses the Schlossmuseum dedicated to archeology, weapons, painting, clocks and ancient musical instruments.

When to go to Linz.