Geography Of Leoben
Leoben is located near the Mura River in Upper Styria. Just below the Vordernberger Bach, the old town is located in a charming bend of the Mura River. To the north, the Hochschwab mountains; to the south the Gleinalpe; to the east, the Eisenerzi Alps surround the town. With a total area of 108 square kilometers, the municipality comprises approximately 79% forests. The lowest point of this place is 515 meters above sea level; its highest point reaches 1643 meters.
Among its districts are Donawitz, Göss, Hinterberg, Josefee, Judendorf-Seegraben, Leitendorf, Lerchenfeld, Mühlthal and Waasen. The included regions further include the municipalities of Münzenberg, Nennersdorf, Neudorf, Proleber-Siedlung and Schladnitzdorf.
Sankt Michael in Obersteiermark is to the southwest; Sankt Peter-Freienstein is located in the northwest. Proleb, Niklasdorf and Bruck a der Mur are located to the east; Frohnleiten is located in the southeast.
Location
Leoben is located in Upper Styria, in the south-eastern central region of Austria. It is on the Mur river, near the junction of Leobenbach and Vordernbergbach. It is located about 200 kilometers southwest of Vienna, the capital of Austria, and about 60 kilometers northwest of Graz, the capital of Styria.
Leoben is geographically located at 47°23′ north latitude and 15°6′ east longitude. Its altitude rises to 540 meters above sea level. Covering 108 square kilometers, it includes 28% urban areas, 38% forest areas and 34% agricultural areas.
Leoben has boundaries in the following areas:
- In the north, within the district of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag including Mürzzuschlag, Kapfenberg and Bruck a der Mur,
- To the east, in the Graz-Umgebung area including the towns of Semriach, Frohnleiten and Gratkorn.
- In the south, in the district of Leibnitz with the towns of Wagna, Wildon and Leibnitz.
- To the west, in the district of Liezen including the municipalities of Liezen, Admont and Schladming.
Leoben is conveniently close to several modes of transport, including car rental, shuttle services, Graz Airport with domestic and international flights, connected to the national and international rail network, the city’s two main train stations, Leoben Hauptbahnhof and Leoben-Donawitz, provide fast connections to Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Munich and other cities. From Vienna to Graz, the A9 is the main road from Leoben; from Vienna to Klagenfurt, the S6. From Bruck a der Mur, the B116 serves Leoben; from Leoben, the B116 serves Eisenerz. Leoben has a park and ride system, garages and several car parks.
Terrain and Topography
Mountains, valleys, basins and plains abound in Leoben’s vast and varied landscape. Surrounded by the Styrian Alps, the town lies in the wide, flat Mur valley. At 1,902 meters, the Polster is the highest point in the city; the Mur river peaks at 540 meters, its lowest point. The city has four distinct seasons and a moderate continental temperature. The average annual temperature is 9.5 degrees Celsius; the average annual precipitation is 1,000 millimeters.
Mountain Ranges
Leoben is bordered by numerous mountain ranges offering breathtaking views and plenty of opportunities for outdoor sports. The most notable mountain ranges are:
- The Hochschwab: Part of the Northern Limestone Alps, the Hochschwab is the highest mountain range near Leoben. Rising to 2,277 meters, it is famous for its karst features: caves, springs and sinkholes, among others. Skiing, climbing, and hiking are other fairly common activities there.
- The Eisenerz Alps: Comprising the second highest mountain range near Leoben, a component of the Eastern Central Alps, the Eisenerz Alps rising to 2,150 meters, it is known for its abundance of minerals including gold, copper and iron. It is also a popular site for paragliding, cycling and mining.
- The Seckau Alps: Comprising the third highest mountain range near Leoben, a component of the Eastern Central Alps, the Seckau Alps With a maximum altitude of 2,396 meters, they are renowned for their varied and picturesque landscapes, including lakes, meadows and forests. Fishing, hunting and camping are other fairly common activities there.
Valleys and Basins
The Mur Valley is home to Leoben, one of the largest and most important valleys in Styria. From the Lungau region in Salzburg to the Slovenian border, the Mur valley is a wide and flat basin. The main economic and cultural center of Styria, the Mur Valley is home to Leoben, Bruck a der Mur, Judenburg, Knittelfeld and Leibnitz, among other towns and villages. With various motorways, roads, railways and waterways, including the A9, S6, B116, B115, Mur railway and the Mur river, the Mur valley is also the main transit corridor and communications center of Styria.
Geological Features
The geology and history of Leoben is reflected in various geological aspects. Geological features include:
- The Erzberg: About 20 kilometers west of Leoben in the Eisenerz Alps, the Erzberg is Austria’s largest and best-known iron ore deposit. Since Roman times, the Erzberg has been mined and produced around 250 million tonnes of iron ore. In addition to being a natural monument, the Erzberg hosts events, guided walks and exhibitions.
- The Leoben Basin: Spanning approximately 300 square kilometers, the Leoben Basin is the largest and most productive basin in the Mur Valley. Erosion and sedimentation of the Mur River gave rise to the Leoben basin, with rich and varied soil suitable for agriculture and forestry. Made up of various sites such as Göss Abbey, Hackl House and St. Francis Xavier Church, the Leoben Basin is also a cultural and historical hub.
- The Leoben Fault: From Leoben to Graz, Styria’s largest and most active fault, the Leoben Fault, runs along the Mur River. Being a strike-slip fault, the Leoben Fault causes the two sides to slide horizontally over each other. The Leoben fault is responsible for seismic activity in the region; it has produced several earthquakes, including the magnitude 4.7 Leoben earthquake in 1976.
Bodies of Water
Leoben has different bodies of water that offer fun, energy and water. Among the many bodies of water are:
Lakes: Leoben has a few artificial and natural lakes, mainly located in steep terrain. With an area of 0.14 square kilometers and a depth of 31 meters, Leopoldsteinersee is a natural lake in the Eisenerz Alps and the largest and most popular lake. The lake allows for fishing, boating, and swimming; it is a protected area. The other lakes are Gössersee, Vordernbergersee and Grüblsee.
Scenic Views: Leoben offers many breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Among the beautiful views are:
- Rising to 1,902 meters, the Polster is the highest point in the city and offers a perspective on the Leoben basin, the Mur river and the Hochschwab.
- Rising to 1,741 meters, the Hochanger is the second highest point in the city with views of Leoben’s city center, the St. Francis Xavier Church and the Hackl House.
- Rising 650 meters, Schlossberg is the hill overlooking the city center and offering a perspective of the Mur River, the Kunsthalle Leoben and the Leoben Hauptbahnhof.
Rivers and Streams: Leoben has a number of rivers and streams running through the area, including the town. The Mur, the second longest river in Austria and the main source of water for Styria, is the most important river. With a length of 453 kilometers and a flow rate of 166 cubic meters per second, the Mur. Since the Mur has multiple hydroelectric facilities along its route, it also provides electricity. The Wall offers swimming, fishing, boating and rafting, thus also providing recreation. Additional rivers and streams are the Gössbach, the Leobenbach and the Vordernbergbach.
