Linz / Austria

In the northern part of Austria, on the Danube, lies the country's third-largest city, Linz. The capital of Upper Austria is located halfway between Salzburg and Vienna and has about 200,000 inhabitants.

The city was founded by the Romans, who named it Lentia, and it was first mentioned as Linz in 799. Thanks to its strategic location, Linz has been an important trading center from the beginning and is renowned as the home of mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler and composer Anton Bruckner. Even the infamous leader Adolf Hitler spent his childhood here, and during World War II, the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp was located nearby.

Linz boasts beautiful architecture, which is a mix of styles from medieval houses in the historic center to neo-classical, neo-baroque, and neo-renaissance buildings, as well as modern works.

The main street of Linz is Landstrasse, and the main square is Hauptplatz, one of the largest in Europe since the 13th century. In its center rises the 20-meter Holy Trinity Column from 1723, and within walking distance, there are many architecturally interesting buildings, including the Old Town Hall with a carillon whose melodies change with the seasons.

The history of Linz Castle dates back to the end of the 8th century, and in the former residence of Habsburg Emperor Francis III, visitors can find the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, which houses 16 million items, making it the second-largest natural history museum in the country. Nearby stands the Church of St. Martin, the oldest church in Austria.

The sandstone Cathedral of St. Mary was built between 1862-1924 in the Gothic Revival style, is nearly 135 meters high, and is the largest church in the country by capacity.

In the Mozarthaus, the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived for some time and even composed several pieces here. At the top of Pöstlingberg mountain stands a pilgrimage church from the mid-18th century, one of the city's symbols. Visitors can take one of the steepest railways in the world to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding area.

In Linz, culture and knowledge enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy. The Lentos Art Museum on the banks of the Danube is beautifully illuminated at night and manages a wide collection of modern art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Across the river awaits the Ars Electronica Center, focused on science, technology, and life in the future.

The Upper Austrian city is well-known for its Linzer Torte, with the first recipe dating back to 1653, making it the oldest cake in the world. It's also worth trying the strudel, dumplings, or erdäpfelkäs, a potato and cheese spread.

Places Worth Seeing

Hauptplatz – Stroll through one of the largest squares in Europe and admire the architecture, whose history dates back to the Middle Ages.

Linz Schloss – Explore the extensive collections of the Upper Austrian Provincial Museum, housed in the former residence of Habsburg Emperor Francis III.

Ars Electronica Center – Visit the modern and interactive exhibitions of the science center and perhaps take a glimpse into the future.

Pöstlingberg-Kirche – Enjoy beautiful views of Linz from the pilgrimage church atop the 539-meter-high mountain.

Mariendom – Admire the majestic cathedral from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the second tallest and largest church in Austria by capacity.

Botanisher Garten – Relax in the beautiful botanical garden with a tropical greenhouse full of stunning orchids.

Martinskirche – Don't miss a tour of one of Austria's oldest churches, mentioned as early as 799.