Niederösterreich

size: 19,000 km²

population: 1,617,000

capital: Sankt Pölten

Lower Austria is the largest state of Austria and lies furthest to the north, adjoining the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It completely encircles Austria's capital Vienna, which is a separate state, and is a neighbour to Upper Austria, Styria and Burgeland. Lower Austria is the oldest part of Austria and has never been separated. It also lies in about the center of central Europe and has many important international trading routes.

The eastern end of the Alps lies in Lower Austria and its highest mountains in the south are about 2000 meters, getting lower the closer they get to Vienna. Towards the north the landscape gets flat, with a plateau in the north west, next to the Czech border. The north east has low hills and is known as good farm land and there are many vineyards. Around Vienna lies a large basin and low mountains with thermal springs which are used for swimming, there are even historic public baths from the 19th Century which are still in use. All over Lower Austria there are many castles, palaces and rich monasteries to see. The climate is very diverse in the different regions of Lower Austria and ranges from dry continental climate in the basin of Vienna, to alpine climate in the south and wet, atlantic climate north-east of the mountains.

In north western Lower Austria there is a lot of farm land with poppy and sweet dishes made from poppy like cakes are very popular. Apricots are filled into dumplings and in spring asparagus is grown.

In about the center of Lower Austria lies its Sankt Pölten, which has been the capital of the state since only 1986. Before that the government was situated in the city center of Vienna. After a public opinion poll made St Pölten the capital, a new district with government buildings and the museum of Lower Austria were erected in a contemporary architectural style.

North of St Pölten lies one of the most beautiful landscapes along the Danube, the Wachau valley, which is recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The meandering river flows through green hills and passes numerous old towns, impressive baroque churches like Stift Melk and castle ruins like Aggstein. The climate along the Danube and the hills help to grow one of the best wines of Austria. Bicycle routes and boat tours are very popular.

North of the Wachau, on a high hill in the plains, lies the castle Rosenburg. The large Renaissance palace has its roots in the Middle Ages and its small historic gardens and the huge tilt yard are just as intersting to see as its interior. The castle is also home of a falconry museum and shows with birds of prey are made every day.

At the border to the Czech Republic lies the Nationalpark Thayatal, which is continued across the border as Národní Park Podyjí. The large valley of the river Thaya lies between continental and central European climate which leads to a diversity of plants and animals. Oak and beech forests and large meadows are for instance the home of wild cats.

An impression of what Lower Austria was like at about 1900 gives the outdoor museum Niedersulz, close to the Czech and Slovakian border, further to the east. 80 historic buildings with gardens and animals show the life of people in Lower Austria over 100 years ago.

To the south, between Vienna and the Slovakian capital Bratislava lies the Nationalpark Donauauen, a large area of floodplain forests and meadows along the Danube. It is the biggest intact habitat of its kind in Europe and the home of numerous water birds, amphibias and fishes.

Situated at the southern shores of the Danube, close to the Natinalpark was once the capital of the Roman province Pannonia: Carnuntum. During the last centuries archeologists have found many traces of the Romans which were collected in the biggest Roman museum of Austria. So far three houses and a Roman public bath have been reconstructed on site, complete with functioning kitchens and floor heating.

In the south, at the border to Styria is the world's oldest railway over a mountain. The UNESCO Wold heritage Semmeringbahn crosses the Semmering mountain with many small tunnels and viaducts. The railway was built in the middle of the 19th Century and connects Vienna with Graz, Villach and Italy. Its highest point lies at almost 900 meters.