Wachau Cultural Landscape, Austria

Ruins of Durnstein Castle. This was where Duke Leopold held King Richard captive
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Durnstein_castle.jpg
Author: Airin
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Wachau is a valley in Austria carved by the Danube River. It is located between the towns of Melk and Krems, covering an area of about 30 km. Wachau has been inhabited since prehistoric times. There are several lovely towns in this area including Melk, Krems (in full, Krems an der Donau) and Dürnstein.

Steiner Tor, a medieval gate in Krems an der Donau in Austria
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steiner_Tor.JPG
Author: Alexxx86


Dürnstein Church
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Krems_2004.jpg
Author: Denis Barthel

What to See in Wachau Cultural Landscape

The landscape of Wachau is characterised by the Danube river and the vineyards on either sides. Some of the towns in Wachau worth visiting are:

• Dürnstein was where Richard the Lion Heart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V shortly before Christmas 1192. It is a small town on the Danube River, and is one of the most visited.
• Melk is one of the main towns in the Wachau region. It was first mentioned in 831 AD. The sights and to-do's in Melk includes visiting its baroque Benedictine monastery, called Stift Melk; visiting the Forsthaus, which contains the city archives and tourist office, and a walk around the town.
  
  
• Krems an der Donau is the biggest city in the Wochau region. A walk through the Old Town is one of the activities for tourists. Among the sights is the Steiner Tor, the medieval gate built in 1480.
  
  

View of the town of Melk, Austria, with its parish church
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melk36.jpg
Author: Georges Jansoone

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 48 21 52 E 15 26 03
Inscription Year: 2000
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, IV

Getting there

There are regular train services from Vienna to the towns of Melk and Krems in Wachau. By car, you can take the West-Autobahn (A1 / E60) to Melk. Alternatively, you can take the Donauufer-Autobahn (E59) to Stockerau, and continue on the Stockerauer-Schnellstraße (S5) to Krems and to Dürnstein.

List of World Heritage Sites in Austria and World Heritage Sites in the World

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