|
Like most cities of Austria, the city of Linz is based on
the Roman expansion to the North. The bending of the River
Danube made this territory a strategic point and a small castle
fortified it. The castle and its settlements where named Lentia.
Linz was first mentioned in 799 AD, when the Bavarians expanded
to the South and this area was transformed into a trading
hot spot.
Starting in the beginning of the 16th century the ideas
of Reformation reached Linz and where happily welcomed. By
1542, the first protestant major was elected and the Landhaus
was erected. In 1600 the Habsburgers initiated the Counter
Reformation. By 1700 the cityscape was formed to this day,
with Baroque buildings and the erecting of different
monasteries. A wool fabrication plant was built, giving work
to up to 50.000 people, making Linz to Austrian's main textile
fabrication and trade center.
With the industrialisation of the early 19th century
Linz grew more and more into an industrial city, which made
it an aim for above average air raids during World War II.
In 1966 it became a university city with the construction
of the Johannes Kepler University.
For decades Voest Alpine industries and Chemie Linz have been
major players in the city's economy. After severe troubles
both enterprises are sound once more and provide jobs for
a good number of people. For a long time Linz was considered
to be a blue-collar city only, with all the adjectives that
go with it: dirty, smelly and devoid of cultural activities.
With internationally renowned institutions like the Brucknerhaus
and ARS Electronica Center and festival and many other activities
Linz has managed to shed this image and attractes a high number
of tourists and guests. In 2003 a spectacular museum was built
on the banks of the Danube. Lentos is an impressive modern
building and houses a decent collection of contemporary art
featuring works by Kokoschka,
Schiele, Klimt,
Attersee or Hrdlicka.
Nowadays Linz is the second largest city in Austria and a
very important location for industry. It is home to approximately
200.000 people and host to the annual Bruckner Festival and
the Ars Electronica, a fair dedicated to technology and contemporary
electronic art.
German Language Schools
in Linz!
|
