Innere Stadt
With a population of around 24,000, Linz city center ranks as the second largest district in the city after Urfahr. Spanning 5.65 square kilometers, the district represents approximately 4.5% of Linz’s total area. With a population density of approximately 3,400 inhabitants per square kilometer, an average higher than the city average of 2,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, the district has numerous cultural and educational establishments, including the Ars Electronica center, the Lentos art museum, the Brucknerhaus concert hall, the university of arts. and design, and the private Anton Bruckner University calls the region home. The district also hosts many celebrations and events throughout the year, including Krone-Fest, Pflasterspektakel, Linz Festival and Ars Electronica Festival.
History of the Inner City
The early Middle Ages saw the founding of the inner city district when a settlement known as Linze first appears in a document from 799. Located on the south bank of the Danube, the settlement was granted the right city in 1240 of Duke Frederick II of Babenberg. Under the leadership of the Habsburgs, who repeatedly made Linz their residence, the city developed and prospered. During the Protestant Reformation, the Counter-Reformation, the Thirty Years’ War and the Napoleonic Wars, the city also had a major influence. Among the many historical events and advancements that the city center has seen are the construction of Linz Castle, the University of Linz, the first railway line opened in Austria, and the rise and fall of the Nazi government. Over the centuries, the city center has also undergone many changes and renovations, including the widening of the city walls, the demolition of fortifications, the construction of new parks and squares, as well as the modernization of architecture and infrastructures. The city center highlights the cultural and historical diversity of Linz and retains many traces of its rich and eventful past.
Geography of the Inner City
The geography of the downtown district is shaped by its southern proximity to the Danube, which constitutes its northern boundary. With an area of 5.65 square kilometers, the district is equivalent to the cadastral municipality of Linz. Gruberstraße to the east; the B139 road to the west; the railway line to the south borders the district. With almost 27,000 inhabitants, the district is the most densely populated in Linz. Six statistical subdistricts: altstadtviertel, Rathausviertel, Kaplanhofviertel, Neustadtviertel, Volksgartenviertel and Römerberg-Margarethen define the district. About twenty percent of the neighborhood’s total area is also green space. Public transportation connects the neighborhood; several tram and bus lines as well as the main station and the Danube bridge. The district also provides pedestrian zones, cycle paths and parking lots. The neighborhood is distinguished by its historical and cultural appeal as well as its dynamic urban scene.
Six subdistricts make up Linz city center: Altstadtviertel, Rathausviertel, Kaplanhofviertel, Neustadtviertel, Volksgartenviertel and Römerberg-Margarethen. Each sub-district has particular qualities and attractions:
- Altstadtviertel: Originally the site of the founding of Linz, the Altstadtviertel is the oldest and most historic subdistrict in the city center. Also known as the Old Town, it is home to many monuments and monuments, including the Landhaus, the Martin Luther Church, the Maria Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Linz Castle, the old town hall. With a range of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars along the cobbled streets and alleys, the Old Town is also a popular location for shopping, dining and nightlife.
- Rathausviertel: The administrative and political center of the city center, Rathausviertel is home to the National Theater, the new town hall and the regional court. It is also home to Linz’s main square, Austria’s largest urban square and the site of several markets and events. Impressive buildings, including the Trinity Column, the Old Cathedral, the Feichtinger House and the Pöstlingbergbahn station, surround the main square.
- Kaplanhofviertel: Between the Danube and the railway line lies the Kaplanhofviertel, a residential and commercial district. It owes its name to the former Kaplanhof, a farm belonging to the cathedral chapter. Green spaces, including Kaplanhof Park, Donaupark and the Botanical Garden, are well known in the subdistrict. Among the cultural and educational establishments it houses are the Brucknerhaus concert hall, the Lentos art museum and the Ars Electronica center.
- Neustadtviertel: Developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, Neustadtviertel is a modern and energetic sub-district. Its numerous boulevards, graceful buildings and varied architecture define it. Boasting the main train station, bus station and tram network, it is also an important transport hub. Among the attractions of the subdistrict are the design center, the musical theater and the Sübahnhof market.
- Volksgartenviertel: Named after the large 19th century public park, the Volksgarten, this sub-district is green and peaceful. The park has a pavilion, a playground, a pond and a rose garden. St. Florian’s Church, the Red Cross Museum and the University of Art and Design are also among the historical and cultural sites of the subdistrict.
- Römerberg-Margarethen: Located on the southern edge of the city center, this hilly and picturesque subdistrict is named after Margarethen, a former monastery, and Römerberg, a hill once a Roman fortification. Besides some attractions such as the Linz Zoo, the Gugl Stadium and the private Anton Bruckner University, the subdistrict offers panoramic views of the city and the Danube.
Landmarks of the Inner City
The numerous and varied monuments in the city center reflect the historical and cultural heritage of Linz. The Maria Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the largest church in Austria and in neo-Gothic style; the Old Town Hall, which dates from the 13th century and houses the municipal council and the mayor; the Martin Luther Church, the oldest Protestant church in Austria and with a Baroque facade; and the former Sübahnhof, which today is a market square and cultural venue. Among the neighborhood’s many museums and galleries are the Lentos Art Museum, which showcases modern and contemporary art; the Ars Electronica Center, which highlights digital and interactive media; the Nordico City Museum, which highlights the history and culture of Linz; and the OK Center for Contemporary Art, which supports experimental and innovative art. The Danube Park, a green oasis on the banks of the river; the Volksgarten, a popular park with a rose garden and music pavilion; the botanical garden, which displays a range of plants and flowers; and Casino Linz, a gaming and entertainment complex, are just some of the leisure and leisure options the neighborhood offers. Among the many celebrations and events the region hosts are the Linz Summer Festival, which celebrates music and culture; the Ars Electronica Festival, a global forum for digital art and innovation; the Bruckner Festival, a classical music festival honoring composer Anton Bruckner; and the Krone Festival, a rock and pop music festival. The neighborhood offers something for everyone and is a lively and energetic place.
Institutions of the Inner City
Reflecting the social and economic importance of the downtown district are the many powerful institutions that comprise it. Among the district’s many educational and research establishments are Linz’s largest and oldest university, Johannes Kepler; the University of Art and Design, a leading institution in arts and media education; the private Anton Bruckner University, an institution renowned for music and performing arts; and the Ars Electronica Futurelab, a creative laboratory for digital and interactive media. Among the district’s many governmental and administrative establishments are the state government of Upper Austria, the executive branch of the state; the Parliament of Upper Austria, the state legislature; the Linz City Council, the city’s municipal government; and the Linz District Court, the city’s judicial authority. Among the district’s many business and commercial establishments are Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich, the largest bank in Upper Austria; Voestalpine AG, a global steel and technology company; Tabakfabrik Linz, a former tobacco factory transformed into a creative and innovative hub; and the Design Center Linz, a contemporary and diverse event venue. The district is a vital and powerful place that influences the social and economic growth of Linz.
