The Wachau (German pronunciation: [vaˈxaʊ̯]) is a valley in Austria created by the Danube River. It is a major tourist area in Lower Austria, located between the towns of Melk and Krems. The region is famous for its high-quality wines, which attract visitors who enjoy fine food and drink. The Wachau is 36 kilometers (22 miles) long and has been home to people since ancient times. One of its notable attractions is Dürnstein Castle, where King Richard I of England was once held prisoner by Leopold V, Duke of Austria. The area is known for its beautiful architecture, including monasteries like Melk Abbey and Göttweig Abbey, castles, ruins, and the unique design of its towns and villages. Vineyards, which grow grapes for wine, are an important part of the valley's agriculture.

In December 2000, the Wachau was added to the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites as the "Wachau Cultural Landscape." This recognition honors the region's rich history of architecture and farming.

History

Before the Neolithic period, when people began changing the natural environment of the valley, evidence of human presence was found in the form of "figurines" in Galgenberg and Willendorf. These figurines are about 32,000 and 26,000 years old, showing that people lived in the valley long ago. In the early Neolithic period, between 4500 BC and 1800 BC, Krems and Melk were well-established settlements. The Wachau Valley’s history during this time began with people cutting down trees to grow crops and build homes.

In 15 BC, the Celtic kingdom of Noricum became part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire’s borders along the Danube River included fortifications called the limes. These were built along the southern side of the river, including Castrum Favianis (now Mautern an der Donau) at the lower end of the valley and smaller watchtower-like forts called burgi in the Rossatz-Arnsdorf area. Remains of these forts, especially in Bacharnsdorf, can still be seen today. Roman control of the southern Danube ended in 488 AD when King Odoaker ordered the Latin-speaking population to leave.

The name "Wachau" was first recorded as "locus Wahowa" in 853 AD, and the name "Krems" was recorded as "Urbs Chremisa" in 995 AD. This marks Krems as the oldest town in Austria. From 976 AD, the Babenberg Margraves, led by Leopold I, ruled the Wachau Valley. In the 11th century, the Babenberg family became the ruling dukes of Austria under Henry II. After the Babenberg line ended, Duke Albert V (King Albert II) took power in 1404. Between 1150 and 1839, the towns of St. Michael, Wösendorf, Joching, and Weissenkirchen operated independently. These towns officially became part of the Wachau or Tal Wachau region in 1972.

In the 12th century, King Richard the Lionheart of England was imprisoned at Kuenringerburg castle near Dürnstein after disrespecting the Austrian flag. He was traveling in Austria in disguise but was recognized in an inn in Erdberg, now part of Vienna. He was released after paying a ransom of 35,000 kg of silver. A myth says that his French aide, Blondel, helped secure his freedom. It is believed this silver was used to build Wiener Neustadt.

During the medieval period, starting in the 9th century, the Bavarian and Salzburg monasteries were established. Economic needs led to the creation of vine terraces for wine production and trade. In the 17th century, the amount of land used for vineyards depended on climate and the demand for wine. From the 18th century, vineyards on hillsides were developed, but changes in land use for farming and fruit cultivation were needed to meet economic demands. At the same time, the countryside grew, affecting farming practices. Today, Green Veltliner and Riesling grapes are still grown on steep terraces along the Danube River in the Wachau Valley.

Between 1150 and 1839, the towns of St. Michael, Wösendorf, Joching, and Weissenkirchen operated independently. They became part of the Wachau region in 1972. The valley faced invasions, including by the Hungarians in the 15th century and by Matthias Corvinus, who captured Krems and Stein in 1477. Religious changes between 1530 and 1620, including the suppression of Protestants by the Göttweig Abbot Georg II Falb, had a lasting impact on the valley’s religious culture, leading to the construction of many churches and monuments. Town development in the valley began in the 11th and 12th centuries, with wooden buildings in irregularly shaped streets. By the 15th and 16th centuries, stone replaced wood as the main building material. Since 1950, residential areas have expanded in the upper parts of the valley.

A key feature of the valley is the layout of winegrowers’ farmsteads. These are often built in "oblong, U-shape, or L-shape" with two rows of buildings. Farmsteads include walls, facades, service buildings, and vaulted passages, which have changed over time. Baroque architecture is common, with street fronts showing "late-medieval/post-medieval oriels on sturdy brackets, statues in niches, wall paintings, and sgraffito work." The roofs of Wachau houses have sharp slopes and soaring hipped roofs.

From 1700 onward, many buildings were renovated. Examples include the Melk Abbey, rebuilt in 1702, and the Canons’ Abbey in Dürnstein, refurbished between 1715 and 1733. Major work also began at Göttweig Abbey in 1719. However, in the late 18th and 19th centuries, the importance of these sites declined due to the closure of monasteries under Bavarian rule. Local communities from Krems to Melk later worked together to promote economic development, blending history with modern life. Today, tourism and vineyard growth, protected by government laws, are central to the "Golden Wachau" nickname.

In the modern period, 18th-century buildings are now part of the town layout and used for trade and crafts. The atmosphere of the 15th and 16th centuries can still be seen in taverns, inns, horse-changing stations, boat operators’ buildings, toll houses, mills, and salt stores. The valley and towns still preserve castles of historical value.

The Wachau was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 2000 under category (ii) for its river landscape and category (iv) for its medieval landscape, including architectural monuments, human settlements, and agricultural use of the land. Before UNESCO recognition, the Wachau was included in the "Natura 2000" network in 1994 to protect its environment. The area has 5,000 historic monuments, most privately owned. The Federal Office of Historic Monuments and the Landeskonservatorat für Niederösterreich are responsible for preserving the Wachau’s cultural heritage.

Geography

The Danube Valley in Austria, between the cities of Melk and Krems in Lower Austria, is called the Wachau. This area includes the hills and nearby Dunkelsteiner Wald (Dunkelsteiner Forest) and the southern Waldviertel. The Danube River flows north-northeast from Melk to Dürnstein through a curving path, then southeast and east past Krems. In the Wachau, the town of Spitz is on the western bank of the Danube, and Melk is on the eastern bank. Other important towns in the valley are Dürnstein, Weißenkirchen in der Wachau, and Emmersdorf an der Donau, which have many old homes from the mid-6th century. A railway line built in 1909 between Krems and Emmersdorf is a notable engineering achievement. Other towns in the Wachau include Aggsbach, Bachamsdorf, Bergern im Dunkelsteinerwald, Furth bei Göttweig, Joching, Maria Laach am Jauerling, Mautern an der Donau, Mühldorf, Oberamsdorf, Oberloiben, Rossatz-Arnsdorf, Ruhrsdorf, Schwallenbach, Schönbühel-Aggsbach, Unterloiben, and Willendorf.

The Danube River has a well-developed inland navigation system. Visitors can explore the Wachau’s historic sights by boat, with the best time to visit being between May and September. Autobahn services are available from Vienna to reach important places in the Wachau. The road network between Melk and Krems follows the shape of the valley. However, there are no bridges over the Danube in this region, and ferries are the only way to cross the river.

The Wachau is home to the German epic poem Nibelungenlied, written around 1200. Fragments of this poem were found in the monastic library of Melk and are displayed there. Melk is a small town on the Danube’s bank at the start of the Wachau region, at an elevation of 228 meters (748 feet). The town has a long history, linked to the Romans and the Babenbergs, and was once called Namare Fort. Today, Melk has a population of about 5,300 people. It is famous for its Benedictine Abbey, founded in 1089, which is an example of a "Baroque synthesis of the arts" and is located on a 200-foot (61-meter) high cliff. A Baroque gateway marks the entrance to the abbey.

The town layout below the abbey dates to the 11th and 12th centuries. Many historic buildings in the main streets are from the 16th to 18th centuries. Key streets include Hauptstrasse (main street) and Sterngasse, the oldest street in the town. Buildings in these areas include the former Lebzelterhaus (now a pharmacy), built in 1657, and the Rathaus (town hall), built in 1575, which has a large wooden and copper entrance door. A well-preserved ancient grapevine groove is near the Haus am Stein behind Sterngasse. The Danube Riverbank shows marks of past flood levels near the shipping master’s house. The old post office building, built in 1792 by Freiher von Furnberg, now serves as a convention center. The Birago Barracks, built between 1910 and 1913, is another notable feature. In the outskirts, buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries remain in their original condition. A district of villas modeled after the Wiener Cottage Verein is also present. The A1 Autobahn between Vienna and Salzburg has a station near the town center. Melk also has many bike trails that are popular with visitors.

Krems includes the town of Stein, an old town between the Kremser Tor and Gottweigerhof. Krems is known for its historic buildings and pedestrian streets, Obere and Untere Landstrasse. The town has long been a center for wine trade because of its terraced vineyards. The Minorite Church, once the parish church, now hosts art exhibitions. Krems also has the Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus Church and a medieval gate called the Steiner Tor, built in 1480.

Spitz is a small town with cobbled streets, vineyards, and views of the Danube Valley. It is 17 kilometers (11 miles) from Krems. Spitz has been inhabited since Celtic times and was first mentioned in 830. To the south of Spitz is the fortress of Hinterhaus.

Dürnstein was established in 1019 AD on a rocky hill along the Danube River in the Wachau Valley. Known as Tirnstein at first, it was described as a "romantic place" with terraced vineyards and monuments. The town is built on a hill 630 feet (190 meters) high and includes fortifications for protection. It is 73 kilometers upstream from Vienna and 9 kilometers upstream from Krems. Dürnstein is famous for its scenic surroundings and historic buildings, such as the Chorherrenstift, a monastery originally built in 1410 and restored in the 18th century.

Willendorf, 21 kilometers (13 miles) from Krems, is where the "Venus of Willendorf" was discovered in 1908. This small statue, made of chalkstone and 11 centimeters long, is one of the most famous examples of prehistoric art. It is believed to be 25,000 years old and is displayed at the Natural History Museum in Vienna. A replica is shown in the museum in Willendorf. A postage stamp featuring the Venus of Willendorf, valued at 3.75 euros, was released in 2008 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its discovery.

Artstetten-Pöbring is a small town in the Melk district, known for Artstetten Castle. The castle, famous for its onion-shaped domes, has been restored many times over 700 years. It was once owned by Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo started World War I. The castle houses a museum with photos of the Archduke and his wife, as well as their tomb.

Wine

The tradition of growing grapes and making wine in Austria, especially in the Wachau valley, began during the medieval times when Romans lived there. The Vinea Wachau Nobilis Districts were established by Leuthold I von Kuenring in the 13th century. Wine production was most successful during the time of the Carolingians. Krems has been an important center for wine trading in the Wachau valley, and the town of Dürnstein is also known as a key wine-making area. The Vinea Wachau, created in 1983, is a group of wine producers who developed categories to classify Wachau wines. These producers follow six rules for making wine, called the six Wachau commandments, to ensure high quality. Their wines are known for their purity and are labeled as Steinfeder, Federspiel, or Smaragd.

The Wachau valley is famous for growing apricots and grapes, which are used to make special liquors and wines. The area’s vineyards produce delicate white wines. Wachau is known for Austria’s best dry Rieslings and Grüner Veltliners, grown on steep, rocky hills along the Danube River. The difference in temperature between warm days and cool nights helps grapes ripen. Heat from the river and the rocky hills with thin soil help grow high-quality grapes. Because there is not enough rain to support grape growth on thin soil, irrigation is necessary to provide water to the vineyards.

Historical monuments

The Wachau Valley has more than 5,000 historical monuments. Some important ones include the Benedictine abbeys of Melk (Stift Melk, a large baroque monastery) and Göttweig (a monastery of canons regular), which are at the start and end of the scenic Wachau section of the Danube Valley. From these places, visitors can see the city of Melk. Other monuments include Schallaburg Castle, a Renaissance-style castle 4 kilometers from Melk; the Steiner Tor in Krems or Krems an der Donau, a late-Gothic Piarist church; Dürnstein, known for its wine-growing area and Dürnstein Castle; and Burgruine Aggstein, the ruins of a castle.

Melk Abbey is a Benedictine abbey and one of the world’s most famous monastic sites. It is located above the town of Melk on a granite rock at 228 meters above the Danube River in Lower Austria, near the Wachau Valley, about 40 kilometers upstream from Krems. The abbey covers an area of 17,500 square meters.

The abbey was founded in 1089 AD when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria, gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks from Lambach Abbey. Monks have lived there since then. A school was started in the 12th century, and the abbey’s library became famous for its collection of 100,000 books, including 750 books printed before 1500 CE, called "incunabula." The monastery’s scriptorium was a major place for making manuscripts. In the 15th century, the abbey became the center of the Melk Reform movement, which helped revive monastic life in Austria and southern Germany.

Schallaburg Castle, in the town of Schollach, is one of the best-known Renaissance-style castles in Lower Austria north of the Alps. It is 5 kilometers from Melk in the Mostviertel region. The central part of the castle was built in the Middle Ages in 1572 by the Lose Steiner dynasty. It combines a Romanesque residential castle and a Gothic chapel, modeled after the Italian palazzo style. The castle has a decorated two-story arcaded court with elegant staircases and a courtyard. The decorations include terracotta mosaics showing mythological figures, gods, masks, and animals. A famous figure is the "Hundefräulein," a human figure with a dog’s head. At the castle’s entrance, two large dragon statues, each 30 meters long and 6 meters high, are displayed. The castle’s Mannerist gardens include roses, ornamental trees, bushes, herbs, and two Renaissance apple orchards.

Steiner Tor is a preserved gate in Krems, originally built in the late 15th century but later redesigned in the Baroque style. It is a symbol of the city. Until the late 19th century, Krems was surrounded by a wall, which was later removed, along with three gates. In 2005, to celebrate the city’s 700-year anniversary of its rights, the Steiner Tor was restored as closely to its original design as possible.

The Gothic Piarist church in Krems was built in 1014 and renovated in the mid-15th century. Its choir was consecrated in 1457 and later sanctified again in 1508 after renovations. Its frescoes and altar were created by the artist Martin Johann Schmidt in the Baroque style. The church also served as a theological college for the Piarists from 1636 to 1641.

Göttweig Abbey, a Benedictine monastery near Krems, was founded as a monastery of canons regular by Blessed Altmann, Bishop of Passau. It is also called the "Austrian Montecassino," named after the original Benedictine monastery in Italy. The church’s high altar was dedicated in 1072, but the monastery itself was not founded until 1083. Since 1625, the abbey has been part of the Austrian Congregation, now within the Benedictine Confederation.

Burgruine Aggstein is the remains of a castle on the right bank of the Danube, north of Melk. It is 15 kilometers from Melk. Archaeological findings suggest the castle was built in the early 12th century.

Schloss Schönbühel is a 12th-century castle located on a hill about 5 kilometers from Melk.