LOWER AUSTRIA
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Lower Austria is the area around Vienna, where the Wachau wine valleys, monasteries and old towns create a dense fabric of history, and every road leads to another layer of the imperial past.
LOWER AUSTRIA: ICONIC LANDMARKS
Wachau, Dürnstein and the monasteries on the Danube – a route where landscape and history go hand in hand.
A rich cultural heritage and diverse landscape characterize this largest federal state by area. Notably, it forms a ring around the country's capital, Vienna. This is the "Original Austria."
The elegant and romantic medieval Liechtenstein Castle belongs to the descendants of the dynasty that ruled the principality of the same name. Inside, you can see authentic furniture, weapons, and art objects.
The Wachau wine region is a picturesque valley along the Danube, renowned for its vineyards. In the Wachau, you can not only enjoy the views but also taste local wines and visit historic towns such as Krems and Dürnstein.
And of course, the magnificent Melk Abbey, founded in the 11th century and perched on a high hill with panoramic views of the Danube. One of the most famous abbeys in Europe, it houses stunning art collections and valuable historical artifacts.
LOWER AUSTRIA: COAT OF ARMS' HISTORY
The land's coat of arms seems to be composed of dynastic allusions and reflects the region's status as a pillar of the empire.
In the mid-10th century, a portion of Bavaria was carved out of the territory known as the Eastern March (Ostmark), later Austria. Its creation was intended to strengthen German borders.
Local medieval towns stood on trade routes along the Danube, and monasteries became centers of learning and power. In 996, the Old German name for the march, Ostarrîchi, was first mentioned, from which the name Austria (Österreich) ultimately derived.
The origin of the coat of arms with five eagles, presumably representing the five districts of the march, dates back to the 11th century, although the earliest surviving depiction of the coat of arms, on a stained-glass window in a monastery near Vienna, is 200 years older. The number of birds and the color of the shield varied initially. Furthermore, for hundreds of years, heated, sometimes even scandalous, debates raged over which eagles or larks were depicted on the coat of arms.
Speculation about the origins of the eagle coat of arms began as early as the 15th century and continues to this day. The birds were interpreted as larks taking flight, and the coat of arms' origins were traced back to a Roman legion stayed in Vindobona, an ancient settlement in what is now Vienna.
This was the Fifth Legion "Alaudae" (Legio V Alaudae), formed by Julius Caesar in Gaul (modern-day France) in the 50s BC. Supporters of this theory were not at all bothered by the fact that the legion's emblem was an elephant. According to them, the legionnaires' helmets were adorned with lark wings, which is how they earned their nickname "Alauda" ("larks"). Incidentally, similar images now adorn the packs of French Gauloises cigarettes.
The proponents of this version were so assertive and aggressive that the insecure Lower Austrians ultimately abandoned the coat of arms altogether in 1795, deciding to use only a shield with an Austrian-colored border.
But nothing good lasts forever, and in 1804, the final decision was made: eagles were the real deal, and the coat of arms with five eagles was officially adopted as the coat of arms of Lower Austria.
If you pay attention, on the early coats of arms, the eagles, in German, look disciplinedly in one direction, while in the modern version they look more friendly and positively, at each other.
LOWER AUSTRIA: FUN FACTS
Of the importance of one's own point of view.
The Austrian River Enns flows into the Danube near the city of Enns, and in its lower reaches it forms the border between Upper and Lower Austria, which in the Middle Ages were known as "Austria above the Enns" (today the state of Upper Austria) and "Austria below the Enns" (today the state of Lower Austria).
But there's a linguistic catch. Looking at a map, the Enns River flows almost exactly from south to north. Logic dictates that downstream means further north, but certainly not "below" in the conventional sense.
Geographically, the names of the states should sound more like "Left-Bank Austria" and "Right-Bank Austria," but apparently no one consulted cartographers. It seems they were looking not at a map, but from the capital, Vienna. By this logic, yes, indeed: Lower Austria is "below" the river.
LOWER AUSTRIA: ALPINE SKIING
Lower Austria offers skiing without the hassle: closer to Vienna, closer to the weekend, closer to the idea of "escaping to the mountains and quickly recuperating."
A historic resort an hour from Vienna, where evening skiing feels like a theatrical production, Semmering is the Alps in a chamber-style setting. Small and cozy, with a history dating back to the 19th century, when Viennese skiers flocked here for fresh air and entertainment.
Today, the center of attraction is the Hirschenkogel. There are about 14 kilometers of pistes here, but the key magic lies in night skiing. The floodlit slopes transform into a stage, where each run seems illuminated by spotlights.
This is the ideal place for a first acquaintance with the mountains or a relaxing skiing experience without overload. Forested trails, short transitions, and a compact feel—everything works for comfort. However, it's worth remembering that Semmering is hosting a World Cup stage in Alpine skiing.
Semmering doesn't try to impress with scale. It's all about atmosphere. And it does so with great confidence. Especially if you're staying at the iconic Panhans Hotel or if you're just coming for dinner.
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