Bad Kreuzen
Bad Kreuzen is a municipality in the Perg district of the Austrian state of Upper Austria. Long-standing health resort, it is located about 7 kilometers north of the Danube, near Grein. Bad Kreuzen offers a variety of sights and activities coupled with a calm and energising atmosphere for people who like culture and ecology.
Travelers looking for a tranquil and healthful holiday frequently choose Bad Kreuzen. The Kneipp spa in the town is well-known and was founded on the ideas of hydrotherapy, herbalism, and exercise by German clergyman and naturopath Sebastian Kneipp in the 19th century. Water treading, herbal baths, massages, saunas and fitness programs are just a few of the services and amenities provided by the Kneipp spa. There’s a lovely park at the spa as well, complete with a gazebo, a fountain and pond.
Apart from the Kneipp spa, Bad Kreuzen has additional tourist attractions, like the 12th-century Kreuzen castle, which provides a broad perspective of the surrounding area. In addition, the castle presents festivals, concerts, and exhibitions. Hiking through the forest and beside the stream will allow you to see the Wolfsschlucht canyon, another natural treasure. A mythology about the gorge also describes a wolf that rescued a youngster from a rabid pig.
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Geography of Bad Kreuzen
The Mühlviertel area, with its undulating hills, woods, and meadows, includes Bad Kreuzen in its southernmost point. The 39.9 square kilometer village is 474 meters above sea level. The towns of Baumgartenberg, Dimbach, Grein, Klam, Münzbach, Pabneukirchen, Rechberg and Saxen abut the town.
The primary river through Bad Kreuzen is the Danube tributary Naarn. A natural feature of the town, the Wolfsschlucht canyon is also formed by the Naarn. Smaller streams and ponds in the town include the Schönau, Schloss, and Kneipp ponds.
Its woodlands, meadows, and gardens are home to a varied flora and wildlife. A few of the often occurring flora in Bad Kreuzen include spruce, pine, beech, oak, birch, maple, alder, willow, linden, chestnut, apple, pear, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, elderberry, rose, daisy, dandelion, clover, nettle, thyme, mint, sage, lavender, and chamomile. Among the frequently occurring species in Bad Kreuzen are deer, hare, fox, badger, squirrel, hedgehog, mouse, mole, bat, owl, woodpecker, sparrow, blackbird, robin, blue tit, chaffinch, goldfinch, magpie, crow, swan, duck, goose, frog, toad, salamander, lizard, snake, butterfly, bee, wasp, ant, spider, and snail.
Weather and Climate in Bad Kreuzen
Bad Kreuzen has a temperate continental climate, which means that it has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The average annual temperature in Bad Kreuzen is 9.4 degrees Celsius, and the average annual precipitation is 883 millimeters.
The spring season in Bad Kreuzen lasts from March to May, and is characterized by mild and sunny weather, with occasional showers and thunderstorms. The average temperature in spring is 11.8 degrees Celsius, and the average precipitation is 214 millimeters.
The summer season in Bad Kreuzen lasts from June to August, and is characterized by warm and humid weather, with frequent showers and thunderstorms. The average temperature in summer is 18.9 degrees Celsius, and the average precipitation is 263 millimeters.
The autumn season in Bad Kreuzen lasts from September to November, and is characterized by cool and cloudy weather, with occasional showers and fog. The average temperature in autumn is 10.1 degrees Celsius, and the average precipitation is 200 millimeters.
The winter season in Bad Kreuzen lasts from December to February, and is characterized by cold and snowy weather, with occasional sunny and frosty days. The average temperature in winter is -0.1 degrees Celsius, and the average precipitation is 206 millimeters.
Demographics of Bad Kreuzen
2,266 people call Bad Kreuzen home, 1,125 of them are male and 1,141 are female, according to the 2018 census. Lower below the national average of 106 persons per square kilometer, the population density is 57.
At 97.7 percent of the entire population, Bad Kreuzen is home to residents of Austria. Of the remaining 2.3 percent, the majority are nationals of Germany, Turkey, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At 85.9 percent of the population, Roman Catholicism is the most prevalent religious affiliation in Bad Kreuzen. At 8.5% of all, not practicing any religion is the second most prevalent. Other religions practiced in Bad Kreuzen include Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, and others.
With 26.5 percent of the population, the 45 to 59 year old age group is the most common in Bad Kreuzen. At 18.6% of all, the second most prevalent age range is 15 to 29. Bad Kreuzen also has age groupings of 30 to 44, 60 to 74, 0 to 14 and 75 years and beyond.
History of Bad Kreuzen
Kreuzen Castle was founded in 900 and was first mentioned in 1147. Originally a part of the Duchy of Bavaria, it joined the Duchy of Austria in the twelfth century and, since 1490, has been connected to the Principality of Austria ob der Enns.
Kreuzen was invaded during the Napoleonic Wars, and relics from the battle, including the French Hut, an ancient granary next to Rotaigner in Unterdörfl, still have bullet holes and dents.
Together with portions of Panholz attributed to Grein, the region originally included four cadastral communities that subsequently formed distinct local communities: Kreuzen, Kalmberg, Dörfl, and Wetzelstein. These were combined into the municipality of Kreuzen in 1875, which was granted market privileges recorded in 1482.
Known as “Bad Kreuzen” formally since 1973, the town has a long history as a Kneipp and health resort.
Best Time to Visit Bad Kreuzen
Your tastes and planned activities will determine when is the best to visit Bad Kreuzen. The spring and summer months are best to take advantage of the Kneipp spa and the verdant surroundings. Autumn is the best time to see the vibrant foliage and the cultural activities. The winter months are great to witness the Christmas markets and the scenery blanketed with snow.
From March to May, Bad Kreuzen has pleasant, sunny springtime weather interspersed with sporadic thunderstorms and showers. Springtime averages are 11.8 degrees Celsius and 214 millimeters of precipitation.
June through August are Bad Kreuzen’s summer months, marked by hot, muggy weather with regular thunderstorms and showers. Summertime brings 18.9 degrees Celsius on average and 263 millimeters of precipitation.
September through November are Bad Kreuzen’s autumnal months, marked by chilly, overcast weather with sporadic showers and fog. Fall sees an average of 10.1 degrees Celsius in temperature and 200 millimeters of precipitation.
With sporadic bright and icy days, Bad Kreuzen’s winter season runs from December to February. Wintertime brings an average of -0.1 degrees Celsius and 206 millimetres of precipitation.
How to Get to Bad Kreuzen
Bad Kreuzen is conveniently reachable by car, rail, bus, and bicycle. Following are a few ways to reach Bad Kreuzen:
- By car: Bad Kreuzen lies around 40 kilometers east of Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, and 150 kilometers west of Vienna, the capital of Austria. Traveling from Vienna to Linz on the A1 highway, use the Grein exit. Proceed as directed toward Bad Kreuzen, which is some seven kilometers distant, from there. There are a number of garages and parking spots in the town where you may park and then go bike or foot exploring.
- By rail: Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck are just a few of the big Austrian cities and towns there have rail connections from Bad Kreuzen. Situated around two kilometers from the town center is the train station. To get to the town from the train station, use a bus, a cab or a bike. A snack bar, waiting area, luggage storage, and ticket office are all features of the train station.
- By bus: Bad Kreuzen is serviced by buses to a number of neighboring cities and villages, including Grein, Perg, Mauthausen, Saxen, and Baumgartenberg. The bus terminal of the town is situated in the middle of it. Buses run to the town’s several neighborhoods and districts from the bus terminal. A snack bar, luggage storage, waiting area, and ticket office are all features of the bus station.
- By bike: With so many bike routes and trails leading into and out of the town, Bad Kreuzen is a bike-friendly place. The town is also a part of the Danube Cycle Path, a long-distance cycle path that traces the Danube river from Germany into Romania. Hire a bike from the local tourism office or one of the bike shops and take in the picturesque and leisurely ride through the countryside and river.
Attractions and Landmarks in Bad Kreuzen
There are many wonderful sights and attractions in Bad Kreuzen to suit a wide range of interests and inclinations. The most often used ones are listed here:
- The Kneipp spa: Providing a distinctive and all-encompassing approach to health and wellbeing, the Kneipp spa is the town’s pride and primary attraction. German clergyman and naturopath Sebastian Kneipp established the hydrotherapy, herbalism, and fitness concepts that form the foundation of the spa. The spa provides water treading, herbal baths, massages, saunas, and fitness programs among other services and amenities. Beautiful garden with a pavilion, fountain, and pond is also part of the spa. Year-round operation of the spa welcomes people of all ages and health issues.
- Kreuzen castle: Dominates the town’s skyline, this medieval stronghold was built in the twelfth century. Together with being a home and a court, the castle was a tactical and defensive fortress. Among the many historical events that the castle saw were the World Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, the Thirty Years’ War, and the Peasants’ War. Numerous well-known people, including Archduke Franz Ferdinand, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and Emperor Maximilian I, paid the castle visits as well. Currently housing a museum and cultural hub, the castle showcases the art and history of both the area and the castle. In addition, the castle presents festivals, exhibits, and concerts. Offering audio and guided tours, the castle is open from April to October.
- Wolfsschlucht gorge: Hiking through the forest and along the stream is the best way to see this natural gem. Over millions of years, the Naarn river chiseled its way through the rocks to create the canyon. The gorge is almost two km long and as deep as eighty metres. A mythology about the gorge also describes a wolf that rescued a youngster from a rabid pig. Adventurers and nature lovers will find heaven in the canyon, where they may appreciate the flora and fauna, the waterfalls, the bridges, and the caves. All year round, the gorge is open; there is a parking and admittance charge.
Bad Kreuzen - Info Card
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Upper Austria, Austria |
| Elevation | 474 m |
| Population | 2,266 (as of 2018) |
| Tourism office | Bad Kreuzen Tourismus |
| Postal code | 4362 |
| Phone prefix | 07266 |
| Area | 39.9 km2 |
| Established | 1147 |
| Language | German |
| License Plate | PE |
| Districts & Neighborhoods | Bad Kreuzen, Aichberg, Au, Dörfl, Gaisberg, Gießenbach, Haid, Hinterberg, Kasten, Kollroßdorf, Lanzendorf, Oberndorf, Pehendorf, Pürstling, Reitberg, Schönau, Steinbach, Thann, Unterfeuchtenbach, Wimm, Zwickl |
| Weather & Climate | Continental climate with cold winters and warm summers |
| Best Time To Visit | May to September |
| Attractions & Landmarks | Wolfsschlucht gorge, Bad Kreuzen Castle, Kneippkurort |
