Dornach-Auhof
Dornach-Auhof is located north of the Danube, in the easternmost part of Linz. Its 7,283 inhabitants in January 2021 lived on 682.6 hectares of land. Dornach-Auhof is a dynamic and varied district combining urban and rural areas, modern and historic buildings and natural and cultural attractions.
The history of Dornach-Auhof begins in the early Middle Ages, and it is rich. Dornach comes from the Celtic word durnon, which means “fortified place”. An Auhof is a farm or estate located in a floodplain.
Furth, where archaeological excavations from the 8th to 11th centuries AD uncovered a structure, ironwork tools and part of a whale’s skeleton, revealed the first signs of human presence at Dornach-Auhof . These finds suggest that, perhaps in relation to nearby salt mines, the area was used for commercial and industrial purposes.
First recorded in writing in 1223, Dornach-Auhof was mentioned in reference to a local priest called Johannes de Tornacho found in the Dunfermline Abbey register. The name Dornach reappeared in 1307 in a document on the Prager Reichsstraße, a vital trade route linking Linz to Bohemia. Crossing the district from west to east, this road connected the ancient villages of Steg and Dornach. It also covered the ancient arm of the Danube which crossed the region until the 15th century.
In the 17th century, the prince-bishops of Passau lived in Dornach-Auhof; they built the baroque Schloss Auhof as their residence. Later, the palace was occupied by several aristocratic families, including the counts of Harrach and the princes of Thurn and Taxis. French troops captured Auhof Castle in 1809 during the Napoleonic Wars; the fire partly destroyed it.
Urbanization, industrialization and population growth brought great changes to Dornach-Auhof in the 19th and 20th centuries. The district experienced both new economic opportunities and new challenges during the development of the railway line from Linz to Summerau in 1872. The environment and inhabitants of Dornach-Auhof were significantly changed by the expansion of the steel industry , notably with the opening of the Voestalpine factory. in 1938.
From the second half of the 20th century, Dornach-Auhof observed the establishment of new scientific and educational institutions, including the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in 1966 and the Science Park in 2009. From a sleepy industrial area with a rich and varied social and cultural life, these groups have helped Dornach-Auhof to become a modern and dynamic district.
Dornach-Auhof is located east of Linz, north of the Danube. Comprising 682.6 hectares, or 4.4% of the total area of Linz, the municipality of Engerwitzdorf borders the district to the north; the municipality of Gallneukirchen borders the district to the east; the districts of Urfahr, Pöstlingberg and St. Magdalena border the district to the west.
The terrain of the district ranges from flat to mountainous. Rising in the northeastern part of the district, the Kremsmünsterer Berg (547 m) is the highest point of the district. At 257 meters, the Danube, the southern border of the district, forms the lowest point. The two smallest bodies of water in the district are the popular recreational lake Pleschinger See and the Danube tributary Kleine Rodl.
The district includes urban and rural areas with different land uses. The western part of the district is more developed and densely populated because the areas reserved for residential, business and industrial purposes are scattered. The eastern part of the district is more natural and sparsely populated with agricultural, forest and protected areas.
Some of the main neighborhoods are:
- Dornach: Dornach is the oldest and central area along the Freistädter Strace. There are commercial and residential buildings, as well as some historic sites, including Dornach Church and Cemetery, mixed in. In addition to the gastronomic scene, this area is known for its nightlife with numerous restaurants, cafes and bars.
- Auhof: The southernmost district located along the Danube. Mainly residential, includes some isolated industrial and agricultural areas. There is also a science park, JKU and Auhof castle. The A7 highway and tram line 1 connect the district with the city center.
- Katzbach: At the foot of the Elmberg hill lies the easternmost district, Katzbach. This idyllic, rural area is home to numerous farms, fields and forests. Originating in the 10th century, it is also the oldest settlement in the region. The neighborhood celebrates a strong sense of community and history with many cultural and social events, including the Katzbacher Advent (Christmas market) and the Katzbacher Kirtag, a local fair.
- Elmberg: Elmberg is the northernmost point of the district, located on the slope of the Elmberg hill. This peaceful and green area is home to numerous villas, gardens and parks. There are also ABPU and LISA. In addition to numerous hiking and biking trails, this area offers a wide perspective on the city and the Danube valley.
Some of the highlights of Dornach-Auhof are:
- Consisting of a campus spanning over 90 hectares and offering a range of academic programs and research facilities, the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) is among the largest and most famous universities in Austria.
- Located in the Science Park, the modern building complex includes the Austrian Institute of Technology, the Linz Mechatronics Center, the Hagenberg Software Competence Center and other innovative companies and enterprises.
- Originally the residence of the prince-bishop of Passau, the baroque castle from the 17th century was today a center of events and culture, where presentations, concerts and seminars were held.
- Volkshaus Dornach-Auhof is a community center that offers, among other things, social, sports, music and educational events for the local population.
