Dürnstein

This article is about the village of Dürnstein in the Wachau. For the Dürnstein in Styria, see Dürnstein in der Steiermark.
Dürnstein
Municipality
Dürnstein
Dürnstein
Coat of arms of Dürnstein
Coat of arms
Dürnstein is located in Austria
Dürnstein
Dürnstein
Location within Austria
Coordinates: 48°23′44″N 15°31′13″E / 48.39556°N 15.52028°E / 48.39556; 15.52028
CountryAustria
StateLower Austria
DistrictKrems-Land
Government
 • MayorJohann Riesenhuber (ÖVP)
Area
[1]
 • Total
16.82 km2 (6.49 sq mi)
Elevation
209 m (686 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total
864
 • Density51/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
3601
Area code02711
Vehicle registrationKR
Websitewww.duernstein.at

Dürnstein (German pronunciation: [ˈdʏʁnˌʃtaɪ̯n]) is a small town on the Danube river in the Krems-Land district, in the Austrian state of Lower Austria. It is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and also a well-known wine growing area. The municipality consists of the Katastralgemeinden of Dürnstein, Oberloiben, and Unterloiben.

Etymology

The town gained its name from the medieval Dürnstein castle, which overlooked it. The castle's name derived from the German duerr/dürr, meaning "dry", and Stein, "stone". The castle was dry because it was on a rocky hill, high above the damp conditions of the Danube at the base of the hill, and it was built of stone. The modern town stands between the castle and the river.[3]

History

Dürnstein Castle

Dürnstein was first mentioned in 1192 when, in the castle above the town, King Richard I of England was held captive by Leopold V, Duke of Austria,[4] after their dispute during the Third Crusade. Richard the Lionheart had offended Leopold the Virtuous by casting down his standard from the walls at the Battle of Acre, and the duke suspected that King Richard ordered the murder of his cousin Conrad of Montferrat in Jerusalem. In consequence Pope Celestine III excommunicated Leopold for capturing a fellow crusader. The duke finally gave custody of the king to Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, who imprisoned Richard at Trifels Castle.

Dürnstein Castle was almost completely destroyed by the troops of the Swedish Empire under Field Marshal Lennart Torstenson in 1645.

Dürnstein Abbey (Stift Dürnstein) was established in 1410 by Canons Regular from Třeboň and from 1710 rebuilt in a Baroque style according to plans by Joseph Munggenast, Jakob Prandtauer and Matthias Steinl. The monastery was dissolved by order of Emperor Joseph II in 1788 and fell to the Herzogenburg Priory. It is famous for its blue tower, which is clearly visible from the river.[5]

During the War of the Third Coalition the Battle of Dürenstein was fought nearby on 11 November 1805.[3]

View of the town with the castle seen on top of the hill

Politics

Seats in the municipal assembly as of 2020 elections:

International relations

Dürnstein is twinned with:

References

  1. ^ "Dauersiedlungsraum der Gemeinden Politischen Bezirke und Bundesländer - Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Einwohnerzahl 1.1.2018 nach Gemeinden mit Status, Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b Rod Heikell (1991). The Danube: A River Guide. Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-85288-147-7.
  4. ^ Country Life. May 1967. p. 1234.
  5. ^ Neal Bedford; Janine Eberle (2007). Vienna. Ediz. Inglese. Lonely Planet. p. 208. ISBN 978-1-74059-851-4.
Dürnstein panorama from the castle
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dürnstein.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Dürnstein.