Wachau World Heritage

Ruins of Ancient Roman walls stand alongside ornate and extravagant Baroque abbeys. Not many regions accommodate so many well-preserved examples of architecture and art from such a wide range of periods. The Wachau is also unique in the way it blends this meticulously maintained cultural heritage with rich natural diversity.

Gozzoburg

State Gallery of Lower Austria - modern architecture

Melk Abbey

Shimmering green emerald lizards and vibrant yellow mullein flowers thrive on the Wachau’s natural dry grasslands. This haven for flora and fauna which have become scarce in other parts of the country also features near-natural forests that offer cooling shade. Protecting and conserving the Wachau’s natural diversity is a top priority.

Dry grasslands in the Höhereck conservation area
Tributary revitalisation projects, such as the Pritzenau side arm
Nature workshop to raise awareness of nature conservation

Wine and fruit-growing in the Wachau not only shapes the landscape but also forms the core of the region’s identity. Extensive farming, such as on the Jauerling’s mountain meadows, and drystone walls are essential to fostering the Wachau’s celebrated natural diversity. That same ecological value can be found in Wachau’s small-scale agriculture.

The Danube power plant that never was (Dürnstein - Rossatz dam)
Apricots
Fruit growers in the meadows of Jauerling Nature Park

Today’s romantic wilderness was carved by the Danube in a process lasting millions of years. In the Wachau, the Danube has sliced through the Bohemian Massif via a narrow water gap and separated Dunkelsteinerwald forest from the Waldviertel’s granite and gneiss plateau.

The Danube and its water gap
Jauerling: the highest elevation along the Danube

The paths that lead through the Wachau away from the riverside roads are rich in their variety and the adventures they offer. Anybody looking for a car-free excursion can hike to their heart’s content or take the leisurely option: travel by the frequent regional bus. Cycle along the Danube bicycle path or mountain-biking trails. Perhaps add some river flair either on or across the Danube: hop on a sturdy ship, ride the waves on one of the three ferry connections, gently bob along on a barge, or stroll over the bridge between Krems and Mautern, which is on the Austrian heritage list.

Cable ferries
Wachau railway

Manual crafts and art have shaped the Wachau’s identity since the beginning of its history and continue to do so. Residents of the Wachau are proud of their pristine heritage, but they also remain open to new influences. As a result, the region’s creative soul integrates modern-day touches.

Public art, such as the Wachauer Nase (nose) by the Gelitin artists' collective
Wachau painters, on display in the State Gallery
Solstice - a living tradition

The Wachau’s picturesque towns and villages are typically compact, and the majority retain structures and street plans that have remained unchanged for centuries. Any additional construction is built to carefully preserve vistas and lines of sight.

Historical town and village centres:

Weißenkirchen
Krems
Melk

The Wachau is full of history and stories. Many of them, such as the famous “Venus of Willendorf” and Stone Age settlements, go back ten thousands of years. This rich history has turned the Wachau into a treasure trove for researchers and an inspiring, insightful setting for everyone else.

Long history of settlement, evidenced e.g. by Venus of Willendorf
Romans and Danubian limes
Aggstein Ruins

Winegrowing in the Wachau is far more than just “agricultural technique”. Each grape is the product of a culture rich in traditions passed from generation to generation of dedicated and passionate winemakers. Renowned globally for their quality, the Wachau’s white wines owe their unmistakeable character to the synergy of the regional climate, the gneiss bedrock terraces and the sandy loess soils.

Achleiten vineyard in Weißenkirchen
Domäne Wachau
Trenning vineyard
Vinea Wachau winegrowers' association