Attractions & Landmarks In Leoben
Leoben is a community in the Austrian region of Styria known for its mining and metallurgical sectors. Many monuments and attractions that reflect the city’s great history and culture define it. Among Leoben’s most fascinating sights are the 13th-century watchtower, the Schwammerlturm, the Leoben Mining University, the Gösser Brewery Museum and visitor center, the parish church of St. François-Xavier, the Leoben municipal park, the Erzbergbahn, the Hauptplatz, the Chinese museum.
A historic landmark offering a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains, the Schwammerlturm, sometimes known as the Mushroom Tower. There is also a café offering local beer and drinks. Founded in 1840, the Leoben mining institution is the first institution in Austria and focuses on materials science, metallurgy and mining. Other structures and collections that the public can visit at the university include the Peter Tunner Building and the Geological Museum.
Showcasing the history and brewing customs of Leoben, the Gösser Brewery Museum and Visitor Center also showcases the tools and methods applied to making the famous Gösser beer. In addition to a souvenir shop, the tourist center offers guided excursions and tastings.
Designed to honor the Jesuit missionary responsible for spreading Christianity throughout Asia, the Baroque Chapel of Saint Francis Xavier is. The cathedral features a magnificent facade covered in saints and angels as well as a dome covered in frescoes that capture events in the life of Saint Francis Xavier.
Consisting of a 12-hectare green oasis in the middle of the city, Leoben Municipal Park features a wide range of flora, trees and insects. Apart from this, the park hosts markets, events and concerts among others.
In service since Roman times, the Erzbergbahn is a narrow gauge railway linking Vordernberg to Eisenerz, the oldest open-cast iron mine in Central Europe. In addition to stunning mountain views and mining activities, the railroad offers a museum and visitor center.
The Chinese Gate, a wooden construction supplied by Xuzhou, China, marks the entrance to Leoben Municipal Park. One of the best places to stroll in the park is Built in the 12th century, the medieval Massenburg Fortress offers stunning views of the town and valley. The former Benedictine monastery of Göss Abbey is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and includes the mausoleum of Margaret of Austria, daughter of Emperor Frederick III.
Stadttheater Leoben
Austria’s oldest theater, the Stadttheater Leoben, celebrated its 230th anniversary in 2020. Built in the 18th century, the theater was transformed into a municipal theater in 1790. The public supported the transformation; the theater was run by a group which donated its income to charitable purposes. By 1830, the theater had a troupe of eighteen brilliant actors, including Anton, Maria Christina and Charles the municipality provided financial assistance. . Ludwig Anzengruber staged Schiller’s Kabale und Liebe in 1864. Plays by Johann Nestroy, Henrik Ibsen and Carl Maria von Weber were first performed at the 100th anniversary celebration in 1891.
Leoben first presented operettas in 1898/99 after their popularity in Graz. The theater grew in popularity from 1900 onwards and court actors often visited there. After Goethe’s Faust, dramas that have gained popularity include Don Carlos, Die Räuber, Maria Stuart, Emilia Galotti, Othello and Hamlet. The First World War disrupted the theatre’s viability, reducing staff availability and audience attendance. Taken over as head of the theater in 1915, Roberti’s main aim was to present entertaining events intended to divert public attention and benefit charity. The theater was temporarily transformed into a cinema in 1921, then became the official municipal theater with a permanent ensemble. Paula Wessely, who later married Attila Hörbiger and raised Christiane Hörbiger, Elisabeth Orth and Maresa Hörbiger, gave a remarkable performance in the 1920s.
Parish church Leoben-St. Xavier
Originally a Jesuit chapel, Leoben’s Church of St. Xavier is today a Roman Catholic parish church.
For more than three centuries, Leoben’s old town has been dominated by the parish church of St. Franz Xaver, sometimes known as Francisco de Xavier y Jassu. Since the 17th century, the church’s grandiose inside has virtually not changed. Between 1660 and 1665 the church was built. Still, it was abandoned in 1773 when the Jesuit order broke up. It thereafter became formally the parish chapel in 1811.
47 years after the Leoben Jesuit College was founded, building of the new church started. Expert rider Christoph Jantschitsch from Vordernberg was well-known for his large monetary gifts. From an architectural perspective, this development signalled the end of the Order’s settling activities. Leoben saw a spectacular rebirth in local culture under the effect of both spiritual-religious and financial elements.
Early baroque features of the structure have been maintained, and contemporary furnishings has been added. The building’s scale and striking architecture made remodeling for financial considerations unworkable during the late baroque period and the 19th century.
Leoben-Göss Parish Church
Part of the municipality of Leoben in the Leoben region of Styria, the town of Göss is home to the parish church of Leoben-Göss.St. Andrew, the former Göss collegiate church dedicated to St. Mary and St. Margaret, became the new parish church of St. Andrew after the demolition of the previous parish church. Currently serving the deanery of Leoben in the diocese of Graz-Seckau, this church is part of
The church was originally a primitive Romanesque basilica with three naves. It included a square choir flanked by two towers. A crypt-gallery is located under the semi-circular apse. Fires ravaged the church in the 12th century as well as in 1336. Construction of a Gothic choir began in 1338. Between 1510 and 1522, the current nave was rebuilt in the late Gothic style. Abbess Margaretha von Mindorf, who served from 1514 to 1523, oversaw this transformation.
Designed by a 33-year-old man, the Stadttheater Leoben underwent extensive restorations in the 1990s. It mainly hosted numerous touring stages and the Vereinigte Bühnen Graz. The hall continued to attract well-known actors, comedians and comedians, although the number of plays declined somewhat in the 1990s. Regular performers include the Austrian artists Götz George, O.W. Fischer, Senta Berger, Otto Schenk, Alfons Haider and Elfriede Ott. The operetta “Die Fledermaus” was also first presented in the hall in 1995, demonstrating how operetta and musical elements can be merged. Since 2010, Leoben has invited renowned Austrian operetta ensembles every year. Created to continue the history of Leoben’s children’s fairy tales and create a range of fairy tale productions, Junge Bühne Leoben
The Leoben municipal council decided in May 2019 on a budget for the cultural sector of more than 300,000 euros. Of this total, 37,000 euros were allocated for the restoration of the seats and curtains of the Stadttheater. The majority of funds are intended for the theater program and concerts planned for the 2019/20 season. The theater also expands to include the enclosed jeweler’s space. Gerhard Samberger, director of the Leoben Municipal Theater, can accommodate 105 guests and 283 seats. The monument-shaped construction is protected.
Leoben-Waasen Parish Church
The parish church of Leoben-Waasen is located on the left bank of the Mur river, more particularly in the Waasen district of the municipality of Leoben. The municipality of Leoben is part of the region of Styria. The Assumption of Mary is the dedication of the Roman Catholic parish. church. It is located within the deanery of Leoben, a division of the diocese of Graz-Seckau.
The year of foundation was set at 149. The integration of the church began at Admont Abbey in 1185 and followed at Göss Abbey in 1210. A parish was most certainly founded as early as 1222. The chapel is located in an old cemetery partially surrounded by walls. The operation of this cemetery stopped in 1886. A fire ravaged the chapel in 1650 and 1667. The years 1906 and 1907 were years of healing. The interior of the church was modified twice in 1950 and 1973.
In 1400, the Gothic choir was built. The tower was erected in 1900.
Shield-shaped and round keystones elegantly embellish the ribbed ceiling of the four-bay, late Gothic low nave. The front arch under profile has been removed. The Gothic choir has two bays and a unique shape of five quavers on its ribbed vault. Semicircular arches support the vault from the lower third of the wall. Round keystones complete the vault.
Designed in 1845 by Max Tendler, the stunning neo-Gothic high altar features Baroque statues from the early 18th century. Additionally, Josef Vetter included figures of Katharina and Barbara in 1872. The high altar features a copy of the painting Mariahilf from Innsbruck from 1687. After the destruction of the Häuselberg church, where she initially resided, this painting was moved to its current location in 1787. The restoration of the work took place from 1726 to 1803.
Gustav Adolf Church
Following the Evangelical Lutheran denomination, the parish church of Leoben, in Styria, Austria, is the Gustav-Adolf-Kirche. Designed by the Viennese architect Clemens Kattner in a cross-shaped plan including aspects of historicism in a free-form style, it was designated in the 16th century as a protected monument. With the pulpit, altar and organ loft stacked on top of each other, the interior of the church presents a well-organized design. A large ribbed ceiling covering the room reflects the style of the Wiesbaden program.
The superimposed pulpit, altar and organ loft show a well-organized design inside the church. Completed in 1908, the presbytery is also part of the ensemble. During the construction of the church, Geyling’s glass painting workshop produced figurative colored glazing depicting Christ blessing the children in the circular window above the organ. Erwin Schneider completed the remaining stained glass windows in 1959 and 1960, painting remarkable biblical images on the left gallery, including the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Descent from the Cross, and the disciples at Emmaus.
In addition to the architectural elements of the chapel, the artist Wilhelm Gösser created a bust of Gustav Adolf II inside. The church is located near the northern edge of the Josefee neighborhood and its dedication took place on December 12, 1909.
Leoben-Lerchenfeld Parish Church
The parish church of Leoben-Lerchenfeld is located in the municipality of Leoben in Styria, and more specifically in the district of Leoben. Located in the deanery of Leoben, in the diocese of Graz-Seckau, the Roman Catholic parish church, dedicated to the Holy Spirit,
Dieter Spielhofer and Josef Hinger planned the church, which was completed in 1978/1979.
Teresa Stankowicz is a painter, which is why she painted the murals. Fritz Hartlauer, the sculptor, created the tabernacle.
Leoben City Shopping
Nestled in the second-largest city in Austria, Leoben, sits Leoben City Shopping (LCS), a contemporary retail paradise with a varied heritage. Revealed in 2007, LCS covers 20,000 square meters and is a vivid tapestry of retail businesses, offices, and mouthwatering cuisine.
Still, the LCS narrative goes beyond simple business. Its architectural basis is on the ancient Dominican convent, built circa 1280. For centuries, the complex housed the Leoben Regional Court and related institutions, therefore becoming a pillar of Leoben’s legal system prior to its retail makeover.
Beside the LCS entrance, a moving memorial stele reminds us of a turbulent time. The courtyard once saw the horrific display of executions, including those of social democratic movement champion Koloman Wallisch.
Leoben in 2005 was blown with change. Against the wishes of some, a city council decision opened the path for the modern retail paradise to be created from the Dominican monastery and its surrounds. Forming the Leoben City Shopping complex and running GmbH, we entered a new era.
Under architect Hans-Heinrich Brunner, the painstaking renovation carefully combined the listed monastery complex with the contemporary design. This deft mix of the past and the present produced a retail location unlike anything else in Europe. LCS is evidence of Leoben’s amazing past as much as a shopper’s dream come true.
Schwammerlturm
Rising above the Austrian town of Leoben in the state of Styria, the medieval tower known as the Schwammerlturm rises thirty meters from the ground. The only gate that has survived to this day is the Leoben town gate, which once included part of the defenses. . For the city, it constitutes a major landmark. The roof of the structure is known for its hemispherical shape. With its eaves, the roof extends like a mushroom cap outside the smaller upper level. This resemblance explains why it is sometimes described as a mushroom (in southern German: “mushroom”). Although it is no longer used very often, the correct term is “Mautturm”.
On the side opposite the city center, a lyrical inscription tells of the tower’s past. We also see a two-headed eagle depicted. On the side facing the city center, the coat of arms of the city of Leoben as well as a representation of the modern federal coat of arms are visible.
A one-way road channel in the tower allows traffic to flow east only. Apart from this, the tower has four clocks. Located on the upper 8-panel dome, these clocks feature a semi-circular sculpture on their lower edge. Slightly set back on the upper level, a panoramic terrace with chairs extends from the café tower. On both sides of the gate tower, pedestrian crossings connect the connected buildings parallel to the road.
Climbing the 25 steps in the next building to the southeast will take you to the floor above the tower tunnel vault. You will reach the lower elevator entrance after going down 15 glass steps. From there, you will discover a set of 79 parallel steps to the terrace and café level.
Located west of the main square, on the right bank of the Mur River, the Schwammerlturm is close to the Mur Bridge. Homanngasse is a small street about 200 meters long. Starting from the main square, it extends towards the west, more particularly towards the southwest. It passes the toll tunnel and the historic city theater along its route. Forty meters further, we arrive at the riveted iron arch bridge which connects the Waasen district. Kirchgasse extends to the right and Zellergasse extends to the left at a junction in front of the tower.
Old Town Hall
Rising on the main square of Leoben, the old town hall from the late Middle Ages rises to 29 meters, the characteristic pentagonal tower of the old town hall transforms into a four-sided construction just in below the top of the tower, with a clock on each side. Arabic numerals abound on the hands of the dial, which bear various emblems at their ends, the sun and the moon among others.
The west side of the building was decorated with a coat of arms frieze in 1728 during the visit of Emperor Charles VI. As the nearby inscription notes, these coats of arms reflected the Habsburg royal kingdoms. The coat of arms of the former Lower Styria was expanded to include 24 coats of arms in total in 1935. Above the coat of arms frieze is Leoben’s heraldic animal, the iron-eating ostrich. is shown.
Officially reopened on March 3, 2022, the east wing of the old town hall was renovated at a cost of around 10 million euros after two years of work. Designed to host conferences and other events, it became a flexible facility known as Live Congress Leoben.
Historical accounts indicate that the town hall on Leobner’s main square was originally mentioned in 1485. Three medieval farm sites were combined to form the town hall. Usually the construction of a tower was not completed until 1568. It expanded to incorporate neighboring houses in the 17th century.
The municipality of Leobner got rid of the structure until the construction of the new town hall in 1973. Once a bustling area, the Rathauspassage is now virtually empty except for establishments overlooking the main square.
Hauptplatz
One of the important squares in Leoben, Styria, is the Hauptplatz. Many of the city’s attractions find their home here.
Since the Middle Ages, the main Leobner square measuring 200 meters by 40 meters has been a must-see. The area was known at the time as “Markt” or “Platz” and was mainly surrounded by different buildings, with the exception of two buildings in the north which were later destroyed. The reconstruction of the square in 1996 according to the ideas proposed by the architect Boris Podrecca was guided by
The name “Hauptplatz” did not become widespread until 1900. During the era of the corporate state, the square was known as “Dollfuss-Platz” from 1934 to 1938. From 1938 to 1945 it was was then titled “Adolf-Hitler-Platz”.
Built in 1794, the Engelsbrunnen has a circular section with a four-sided column rising from the center of the basin. An angel holding the coat of arms of Leoben is depicted neocally in the artwork. Drinking water comes from columns located to the east and west. These columns are inscribed “To improve and comfort your hometown, the citizens of Leoben, 1794”.
Located to the south, the Engelsbrunnen Earth Sundial uses the observer to create a shadow. The zodiac signs on the porphyry stone indicate the observer’s location based on the season, allowing them to accurately discern the time.
Built on the square in 1717, the Trinity Column, also known as the Disease Column, was meant to mark the end of the epidemic. The sculptures were made by Johann Jakob Schoby.
Renowned for its unusual tower, the old town hall has a long heritage dating back to 1485. It is located on the east side of the square, more precisely on the corner Josef Graf-Gasse. The structure became famous in particular with the visit of Emperor Charles VI.
Built in 1799, the Miner’s Fountain is located near the south side of the square. The ornament depicts a miner in Maximilian costume with a coat of arms bearing a double-headed eagle. Like the Engelsbrunnen, the water outlets extend to the east and west. the central column of the fountain.
Students at Montanuniversität Leoben have long had the habit of kissing the miner’s monument after completing their studies.
