--- title: History and UNESCO in Upper Austria url: "https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/history-and-unesco.html" description: "Explore Upper Austria's rich history and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit Hallstatt-Dachstein, ancient beech forests, and Roman archaeological sites. Discover cultural landmarks and immerse yourself in the region's fascinating past." image: "https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/user_upload/upperaustria/Logo_upperuastria_RGB_300x300px_Websites.png" date: 2023-10-23 modified: 2026-03-18 --- # History and UNESCO in Upper Austria History and UNESCO in Upper Austria =================================== **Tassilo\* tells the story...** -------------------------------- … of the world’s oldest salt mine. Of submerged pile dwellings and Roman legionnaires. He takes us to magnificent monasteries and mighty ruins, guides us through beautiful cities and shows us the magical places built for summer retreats. Because where we come from determines who we are. **\*Tassilo III.** (741-796), Duke of Bavaria. He is credited with founding Kremsmünster Abbey in Upper Austria — legend has it at the site where his son had a hunting accident. One of Upper Austria’s most significant art treasures, the Tassilo Chalice, is attributed to him. [ ![Blick auf das sommerliche Hallstatt](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/5/7/csm_hallstatt-2-geoff-tompkinson_3s_252376f1a9.jpg "Foto: Geoff Tompkinson: Blick auf das sommerliche Hallstatt") UNESCO World Heritage Upper Austria boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut region, the pile dwellings at Lake Attersee and Lake Mondsee, the Roman Empire’s Danube Limes and the ancient beech forests in the Kalkalpen National Park. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/unesco-world-heritage.html) © Open copyright © Foto: Geoff Tompkinson: Blick auf das sommerliche Hallstatt Close copyright [ ![Das beleuchtete Lentos in der Abenddämmerung](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/b/4/csm_Linz-Lentos-Nacht-1_Linz-Tourismus_Robert-Josipovic_8fab5fed3c.jpg "Foto: Linz Tourismus/Robert Josipovic: Das beleuchtete Lentos in der Abenddämmerung") Linz is changing. From a steel city to an electrifying cultural laboratory with a young, creative scene. Linz, a cultural capital and UNESCO City of Media Arts, invites you to embark on a journey into the future. ](https://www.linztourismus.at/en/leisure "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto: Linz Tourismus/Robert Josipovic: Das beleuchtete Lentos in der Abenddämmerung Close copyright ![](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/5/f/csm_SteyrAltstadt_HF_bd0c912127.jpg) Discover cities Gaze upon the confluence of the Steyr and Enns rivers, circle the city walls of Freistadt, or stroll through the Kaiserpark in Bad Ischl. An exploratory tour of Upper Austria’s cities. © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Blick in die Gassen von Steyr Close copyright ![Blick in die Gassen von Steyr](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/e/csm_Steyr-2_2s_486b16f987.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Robert Maybach: Blick in die Gassen von Steyr") City on two rivers Winding alleys in the old town, magnificent town houses on the town square, the marriage of the rivers Enns and Steyr. The city of Steyr is at the same time a focal point of early industrial history and gateway to the natural paradise of the Kalkalpen National Park. [ Steyr ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000878/steyr.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto Wels Marketing & Touristik GmbH: Shoppen in der Welser Innenstadt. Close copyright ![Zwei Damen beim Shopping-Bummel in der Schmidtgasse in der Welser Innenstadt.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/7/csm_WelsShoppen_2s_f124ec6885.jpg "Foto Wels Marketing & Touristik GmbH: Shoppen in der Welser Innenstadt.") 2,000 years of history Under the name "Ovilava", Wels was the capital of the province of Ufernoricum 2,000 years ago. Attentive city strollers will find traces of the Romans here in all kinds of places and squares. the central location in the heart of Upper Austria also makes Wels a popular destination for shopping excursions. [ Wels ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000879/wels.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH: Gmunden am Traunsee Close copyright ![Schiffsanlegestelle und der Rathausplatz in Gmunden am Traunsee.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/5/4/csm_Gmunden-2s_8bf0d25698.jpg "Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH: Gmunden am Traunsee") Mundane by the lake The view from Gmundner Rathausplatz across Lake Traunsee to the Traunstein is a "must see" for every visitor to Upper Austria and the Salzkammergut. The town on the northern shore of Lake Traunsee is also known for the Seeschloss Ort and for Gmundner ceramics, which embody tradition with style. [ Gmunden ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000969/gmunden-at-lake-traunsee.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Andreas Röbl: Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl Close copyright ![Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/4/0/csm_Bad-Ischl-Kaiservilla-2-OOE-Roebl_2s_e94b6a1c77.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Andreas Röbl: Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl") The City of the Emperor Emperor Franz Joseph loved "his" Ischl so much that he came to the Salzkammergut every summer. Strolling through the town, the imperial legacy is always present. And yet there is more to discover here: a cable car ride up the Katrin, the "heart mountain" of the people of Ischl. Relaxing in the Salzkammergut thermal baths. And, and, and... [ Bad Ischl ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000967/bad-ischl.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Moritz Ablinger: Radfahrer im mittelalterlichen Stadtgraben von Freistadt im Mühlviertel. Close copyright ![Zwei Radfahrer im mittelalterlichen Stadtgraben von Freistadt im Mühlviertel.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/a/f/csm_RadFreistadt_3s_5174695e69.jpg "Foto Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Moritz Ablinger: Radfahrer im mittelalterlichen Stadtgraben von Freistadt im Mühlviertel.") Medieval brewery town As a trading hub on the way to Bohemia, Freistadt was already important in the Middle Ages. Even today, it is possible to take a walk around the preserved city wall. But Freistadt has always been a town of brewers. If you love beer and want to find out what a brewing community is, you should definitely stop by here. [ Freistadt ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000938/freistadt.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto TV Schärding: Silberzeile in Schärding Close copyright ![Blick auf die farbenfrohen Barockfassaden der Silberzeile am Oberen Stadtplatz in Schärding.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/b/7/csm_Schaerding-am-Inn-2s_274e30c978.jpg "Foto TV Schärding: Silberzeile in Schärding") Baroque town on the Inn The colourful baroque facades of Silberzeile on the Upper Town Square are the landmark of Schärding am Inn. Built close to the water, this town has always been a bridge town between Upper Austria and neighbouring Bavaria on the other bank of the river. [ Schärding ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/towns-/-villages/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430001189/schaerding.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto Stadtmarketing Ried/tricksiebzehn: Der Hauptpaltz von Ried im Innkreis mit dem Dietmarbrunnen. Close copyright ![Blick über den Hauptplatz von Ried im Innkreis mit dem barocken Dietmarbrunnen im Zentrum.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/5/7/csm_Ried-im-Innkreis_2s_39de10835e.jpg "Foto Stadtmarketing Ried/tricksiebzehn: Der Hauptpaltz von Ried im Innkreis mit dem Dietmarbrunnen.") Brewing art and baroque culture Bavarian Baroque also characterises the town centre of Ried. After all, the Innviertel region only found its way to Upper Austria in 1779. Ried is a town of the art of brewing and cultivated, cosy hospitality. However, the shopping and trade fair town was also the seat of the world-famous Schwanthaler family of sculptors. [ Ried im Innkreis ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/towns-/-villages/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430001114/ried-im-innkreis.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto TV Braunau: Historischer Stadtplatz von Braunau am Inn. Close copyright ![Blick über den historischen Stadtplatz von Braunau am Inn.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/2/2/csm_Braunau-am-Inn-2s_5894cb411c.jpg "Foto TV Braunau: Historischer Stadtplatz von Braunau am Inn.") Jewel in the Innviertel The town of Braunau lies on the River Inn between Bavaria and Upper Austria. A gem, with many surprising highlights. For example, one of the highest church towers in Austria. A unique medieval bathhouse. And one of the longest surviving beards with a curious history. [ Braunau am Inn ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/regions-/-towns/towns-/-villages/oesterreich-stadt-ort/detail/430000883/braunau-am-inn.html "Link opens in new window") 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. [ ![](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/c/csm_Radpause-an-einem-Steg-des-Attersees_quer_OberaesterreichTourismusGmbH_MoritzAblinger_faab7d1957.jpg) Summer retreats in the Salzkammergut region The Salzkammergut region has long been a popular retreat, a place to unwind, a source of inspiration and a workplace where grand works were created. Figures like Gustav Klimt and Gustav Mahler spent their summers by Lake Attersee. ](https://www.salzkammergut.at/en/activities/summer.html "Link opens in new window") [ ![Blick von Schloss Weinberg in Kefermarkt über die weite Hügellandschaft des Mühlviertels.](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/7/8/csm_SchlossWeinberg_3s_4249fb9f6e.jpg "Foto: Richard Schramm: Schloss Weinberg in der Mühlviertler Hügellandschaft.") Discover castles and abbeys Where emperors resided, princes surveyed their lands and monks cleared forests, performed construction and erected magnificent buildings. A selection of castles and abbeys that you should not miss. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/attractions/castles-and-abbeys.html) © Open copyright © Foto: Richard Schramm: Schloss Weinberg in der Mühlviertler Hügellandschaft. Close copyright Castles with history -------------------- Castles are history turned into stone. The homes of former noble families can open a window into a fascinating world. For example, [Greinburg Castle](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/401332/castle-greinburg.html "Link opens in new window"), Austria’s oldest residential castle, is owned by the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. [Starhemberg Castle](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/401853/schloss-starhemberg-castle.html "Link opens in new window") in Eferding, on the other hand, tells a diverse family history spanning centuries. [ ![Romana Höpfler bei der Burg Ruttenstein](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/c/csm_Burgen-und-Schloesserweg_Burg-Ruttenstein_OOE-Tourismus_Martin-Fickert-_3__6105da6a07.jpg "Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Martin Fickert: Romana Höpfler bei der Burg Ruttenstein") Castle and Fortress Trail 19 castles, 215 kilometres, 1,000 impressions ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/oesterreich-tour/detail/430002874/castle-trail.html "Link opens in new window") © Open copyright © Foto: Oberösterreich Tourismus GmbH/Martin Fickert: Romana Höpfler bei der Burg Ruttenstein Close copyright Museums in Upper Austria ------------------------ [ ![Schlossmuseum Linz: Modern glass connecting building between historical and contemporary building with barrier-free ramp.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Linztourismus Alex Sigalov") Castle Museum Linz The Upper Austrian house of natural, cultural and art history. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/history-and-unesco/oesterreich-poi/detail/400715/castle-museum-linz.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Linztourismus Alex Sigalov Close copyright [ ![Jausenstation Keltendorf in Mitterkirchen im Machland: In this photo you can see a historic village ensemble with characteristic wooden houses and large reed huts, surrounded by green meadows and trees. It looks like a picturesque landscape where a few people are staying and presumably relaxing.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: marktgemeinde Mitterkirchen im Machland") Keltendorf Mitterkirchen A journey into the everyday life of the Celts in Mitterkirchen on the Danube. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/history-and-unesco/oesterreich-poi/detail/400994/open-air-museum-celtic-village-mitterkirchen.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: marktgemeinde Mitterkirchen im Machland Close copyright [ ![Lauriacum Museum in Enns: A large, multi-storey building with an impressive façade. The architecture is designed in the traditional style with many decorations and ornaments. There is a fountain with a statue in front of the building. Overall, the building conveys a historic, elegant impression.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Tourismusverband Donau Oberösterreich Good Morning World Melanie Schillinger") Lauriacum Museum A window into the Roman era in Enns, once the site of a legionary camp. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/history-and-unesco/oesterreich-poi/detail/400075/lauriacum-museum.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Tourismusverband Donau Oberösterreich Good Morning World Melanie Schillinger Close copyright [ ![The Stehrerhof open-air museum was opened in 1978 and displays a Hausruck farm, whose original furnishings give visitors a good impression of rural life in the 19th century. In the Hoarstube, the Troadkasten, the Dörrhäusl and the Göpelhütte, you can also learn interesting facts about this period.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: Degn-Film") Freilichtmuseum Stehrerhof Insights into 19th-century farm life in Neukirchen an der Vöckla. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/history-and-unesco/oesterreich-poi/detail/430003999/freilichtmuseum-stehrerhof.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: Degn-Film Close copyright [ ![Sumerauerhof St. Florian in St. Florian: A multi-storey building with traditional architecture, surrounded by flowering trees and shrubs on a green meadow. The building has a gabled roof and several chimneys. The façade is light in colour and has a neat appearance. There is a green area in front of the building where benches or other seating could be placed.](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "© Copyright: OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH") Freilichtmuseum Sumerauerhof A typical four-sided courtyard farm in St. Florian. ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/activities/culture/history-and-unesco/oesterreich-poi/detail/400126/sumerauerhof-st-florian.html) © Open copyright © Copyright: OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH Close copyright [ ![Dame im Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz](https://www.upperaustria.com/fileadmin/_processed_/7/5/csm_Linz-389-SusanneEinzenberger_2s_b297f42a0b.jpg "Foto: Susanne Einzenberger: Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz") All Museums and Galleries Upper Austria's Museums and Galleries ](https://www.upperaustria.com/en/attractions/museums-and-galleries.html) © Open copyright © Foto: Susanne Einzenberger: Lentos Kunstmuseum Linz Close copyright