Facts About The Wachau Cultural Landscape You Will Love

The Wachau, which stretches 22 mi (35 km) along the Danube, is a stunningly beautiful landscape.

The architecture in the villages and cities reflects the evolution of the region and its society over many centuries. Hiking through orchid meadows and vineyards, visiting historic castle ruins, and relaxing high up at stunning lookouts or below in the towns in a quaint wine pub are all options for visitors.

Wachau's agricultural plains, which frame the edges of the Danube river, are undeniably beautiful. Not only is the Wachau World Heritage Site one of Austria's historic cultural landscapes, it is also one of Europe's most magnificent river valleys.

The views are gorgeous, with high wine terraces, attractive villages, wild floodplain woods, splendid monasteries, and fascinating castle remains. The valley is noted for its grape and apricot production, and both are used to make specialty liquors and wines.

As a result, the valley is among Austria's most significant wine-growing regions. It also boasts beautiful medieval villages and stunning buildings.

The Melk, Göttweig, and Dürnstein Abbeys are some of Austria's best Baroque structures. Read on to take a look at some Wachau cultural landscape facts!

Discovery And History

For generations, this gorgeous section of the Danube River has motivated romantic tales. Every structure, especially those from the Middle Ages, holds many stories of love and grief.

According to legend, King Richard the Lionheart of England was confined in a fortress. The valley has a long history that dates back to antiquity and has played a significant role in Austrian and European history.

The Wachau Valley has been occupied by humans dating back to the paleolithic period. However, modern human engagement in the valley and the start of topographic cultivation dates back to roughly the year 800 CE, when viniculture was introduced in the area.

The House of Babenberg rose to power in the 10th century and governed the territory until the 13th century, when it fell.

The House gave the Benedictine order the Abbey of Melk during its reign in the 11th century. The Hapsburg Dynasty succeeded the House of Babenberg as rulers of the Holy Roman Kingdom as well as the Austro-Hungarian Kingdom, until the conclusion of WWI.

The Romans were the first to introduce winemaking practices to the area, including cultivation, grafting, and the capacity to work grapes. The Romans resided in fortified settlements during this time, which were expanded and reconstructed from past castles to protect from incoming Germanic groups.

The Church of St. Severin depicts cow pastures, meadows, vineyards, and orchards in front of its fortifications.

Conservation

The Wachau River Valley is one of Europe's most beautiful river valleys. Its artifacts provide tourists with a glimpse into the history as well as a plan for the future.

Over the last centuries, this template has helped in the transformation of European civilization.

As a result, in December 2000, the valley was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The valley was listed as a 'riverine landscape' as well as a 'medieval landscape' because it holds important information about architectural structures from the past, previous human settlements, and how the land has been used in farming.

Many were conscious of the difficulty involved in protecting the Wachau and preserving its uniqueness. The Wachau Arbeitskreis, in particular, has contributed significantly to the Wachau's preservation.

At the same time, being designated a World Heritage Site has also helped the program of future development, and the region of Lower Austria has proven to be a loyal partner. In particular, the provincial administration has designed and managed various initiatives in collaboration with the region, like those included in Wachau 2010plus.

Site Statistics

The Wachau area in Austria was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a 'Cultural Landscape,' along with nine other areas in Austria, joining 1,121 other sites from 167 nations. The Benedictine monasteries at Göttweig and Melk, and Krems' ancient town have also been added to the World Cultural Heritage Sites list.

For nearly a century, the Wachau has been a famous summer retreat for travelers looking for a breath of fresh air.

The unique soil, the mild climate, and the distinctive wine terraces on the hillsides, which are at an altitude of about 656 ft (200 m) and are well-positioned for sustainable cultivation and preservation, have all aided the development of the Roman wine-growing methods passed down through the centuries.

Over 200 vineyards now occupy a total of 1,344 ha (3,321 ac).

The 112 mi (180 km) long-distance trekking route unites Wachau's 13 villages via the most scenic hiking trails, including ancient pathways.

The Wachau environment is defined by strikingly craggy cliffs, flowing valleys, defense towers dating from the Roman times to the early Middle Ages, medieval castles and strongholds, stunning Baroque Benedictine monasteries, and meadows and orchards. Countless exquisite buildings adorn the Danube's banks.

Aside from the defensive structures, the magnificent Baroque monasteries at Göttweig and Melk, which equal several royal palaces with respect to beauty and decor, are also worth mentioning.

Moreover, with their vast and majestic vineyards, famous sites such as Stein, Weißenkirchen, and Dürnstein also boast of prosperity. As it happens, the region's central city, Krems, was also founded on wine and has a prosperous cultural and historical past.

Many believe that Melk Abbey is by far the single most impressive sight in the valley. It might easily be included on its own merits were it not a World Heritage Site due to its position in the Wachau Valley. Not only does it contain a magnificently-decorated cathedral, but it also has one of Europe's best medieval libraries.

The ruins of Dürnstein Castle were where Duke Leopold V imprisoned Richard the Lionheart, between the years 1192-1193. Some outstanding white wine varieties cultivated in the valley can be found here. Unfortunately, most vineyards are only accessible for a limited time. The Wachau Valley is Austria's most important wine-producing region.

The Danube's cultural landscape has attracted travelers for millennia. Austria commits to preserving and protecting the sites and monuments of the region in conformity with the World Heritage Committee. This region's unique qualities and attributes must be conserved for coming generations with the help of national protection measures, as well as proper care, governance, and administration. 

FAQs

What is the Wachau Valley?

The Wachau is a Danube valley of Austria that runs between Krems and Melk in Lower Austria.

Where is the Wachau Valley?

The Wachau Valley is a 22 mi (35 km) stretch of the Danube River in Austria, located between Melk and Krems.

What does 'Wachau' mean in English?

Wachau refers to an Austrian region that has a beautiful landscape. This landscape has been carved out by the Danube river.

How was the Wachau cultural landscape created?

Native people began cutting the natural woodland in the Neolithic period. Still, significant landscape developments did not occur until approximately 800 CE, when the Salzburg and Bavarian monks began to farm the Wachau's slopes, resulting in the current topography structure of vine terraces.

How can I experience the Wachau cultural landscape?

Visitors can ride their bikes around the valley, have a tour, or drive through it. A cruise lasts around 3 hours and 30 minutes (as a round trip), and passengers can visit Krem and Melk.

Was there a statue at the Wachau cultural landscape?

Yes. The statue, which is thought to be 25,000 years old, is presently on exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Vienna, with a copy at the Willendorf Museum.

What was worshipped in the Wachau cultural landscape?

Melk Abbey is a location where monks follow Saint Benedict's precepts, and it is also a center of Christianity.

Where is the Wachau cultural landscape located?

The Wachau area of Austria's cultural landscape has been around for thousands of years and has been designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The Wachau, which stretches for 22 mi (35 km) along the Danube between the towns of Krems and Melk, is a terrain of breathtaking beauty.

What was significant about the location of the Wachau landscape?

The Wachau landscape is very unique. There is evidence of its ongoing, organic history from prehistoric times, whether in the form of architecture (ruins, castles, and monasteries), urban design (villages and towns), or farming activities (primarily for the growing of vines and apricot plants).

Why is the Wachau cultural landscape so famous?

The Wachau is one of Lower Austria's most popular tourist attractions, attracting "epicureans and connoisseurs." In December 2000, the Wachau Cultural Landscape was placed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in appreciation of its agricultural and architectural history.