Linz,Welcome

Linz is all aglow

Linz, the city on the Danube, has transformed itself from grey industrial city to light and bright cultural metropolis, an attractive destination for city break tourists who come to relish the harmonious blend of past, present and future. Linz enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful cities in Austria, if not Middle Europe. All manner of scientists, writers and artists such as Johannes Kepler, Anton Bruckner and Adalbert Stifter thrived in the city and produced some of their most memorable work here.

Linz.changes,

The city’s slogan is its agenda: The Linz cityscape features historic facades juxtaposed with futuristically lit, architecturally acclaimed buildings. There are several new constructions to celebrate Linz’s status as European Capital of Culture 2009 and which have enhanced the broad spectrum of urban architecture. The Ars Electronica Centre - the museum of the future – has been extended to provide 6,500 m2 of exhibition space and adorns the left bank of the Danube with its LED illuminated glass forms reminiscent of a ship. The new southern wing of Linz Palace provides a breathtaking view of the whole city. The World of Steel exhibition and visitor centre at voestalpine AG gives fascinating insight into the production of steel in every conceivable form. But Linz offers so much more:  the city has a new, modern, cosmopolitan face and its variety, design and creativity are a powerful source of stimulation.

Art & Culture Zone Linz

The spectacular new Ars Electronica Centre  (new window) provides a unique platform for digital arts and explores the relationship between social and artistic aspirations and the huge potential of new technologies. The many interactive installations allow the visitor to experiment, research and experience the future.

On the opposite bank of the Danube just a few steps from the city centre, Lentos Museum of Art  (new window), provides a perfect architectural counterpoint, clad in mysterious black glass by day, and  neon colours by night. Masterpieces of the 19th and 20th century can be viewed in here in changing exhibitions and world class artists such as Klimt, Schiele and Warhol feature in the broad palette of modern art.

The Castle Museum  (new window) is the largest universal museum in Austria on one site. The permanent exhibit provides a virtual tour of the cultural, natural and scientific history of Upper Austria and there are numerous temporary exhibitions on special themes. A further highlight is the extension, opened in 2009, which reinstates the south wing of the palace, completely destroyed by a great fire in 1800. This highly acclaimed architectural project has created space for additional exhibitions and events and provides a panoramic view over the city.

The OK Centre for Contemporary Art (Offenes Kulturhaus)  (new window) is an experimental laboratory for exploring art. It is intended to be both an exhibition centre and production studio for contemporary art, accompanying artists in the implementation of their work from conception to realisation.

Furthermore Linz boasts a large variety of other museums, the choice of themes ranging from a potted history of the city to its all-encompassing cultural scene to folklore and natural history.
Nordico (german)  (new window)
Biology centre  (new window)

Linz,culture and much more

Linz has a full cultural programme – 365 days a year and living proof that the city has earned its title of European Capital of Culture 2009.
Passion concerts take place in Linz’s churches at Easter.
Athletes and spectators congregate every year for the OMV Linz Donau Marathon  (new window) and the Trirun Linz Triathlon  (new window).
A marquee in the Rose Garden on the Pöstlingberg, a hill overlooking Linz, becomes the venue for open air concerts, cabaret and theatre every summer.
During Advent Linz becomes a sparkling Christmas wonderland with nostalgic Christkindl markets to stroll through and nativity scenes – from traditional to virtual – on view all over the city.

Linz has many fixed events in the calendar such as the Crossing Europe Film Festival (german)  (new window) and the Biennale Cuvée (international contemporary art selection)  (new window) in spring, the Pflasterspektakel (international street arts festival)  (new window) in July, the Ars Electronica Festival   (new window), the Bruckner Festival (german)  (new window), the Linz Cloud of Sound (german)  (new window) in September and many more.

Linz, haven of tranquillity

Linz provides not only artistic and cultural pleasures, but a welcome haven from the stresses of everyday life. You can wind down on a river trip on the Danube, savour the peace in one of its numerous churches, relax in one of the city’s green spaces, stroll along the river bank or visit the former residence of author Adalbert Stifter, who wrote “Nachsommer” (Indian Summer) here, a nostalgic homage to innocent days in beautiful surroundings.

Linz has also reinvented itself as an Acoustic City as one of the projects for Linz09. The Akustikon, a small acoustic universe has been set up near the main square where visitors can experience the sounds of the planets in the universe, the noises of the city, and the most diverse acoustic effects. An accomplishment of its inventors who strive to eliminate  noise pollution, and who have collaborated with scientists to produce the Linz Charta, a blueprint for future city development according to acoustic regulations, which were passed unanimously by the Linz City parliament in January 2009.

Linz is a stage the whole year round:  music, theatre, film, history and art – from popular classics to media art – Linz’s cultural scene is liberal and many-faceted. This is a city that caters for every taste.