Pichling

The history of Pichling began in the 13th century when the name Puhel, derived from the Middle High German word “bühel”, meaning “hill”, was first noted in a document for the region. According to this name, Pichling was a community perched on a hill still clearly visible in the surrounding area. Later the name was supplemented with the suffix “-ing”, common to many sites in Upper Austria.

Originally part of the district of Ebelsberg, Pichling joined Linz in 1938. Pichling became a separate district of Linz on January 1, 2014, along with the surrounding areas of Ebelsberg, Industriegebiet-Hafen, Kleinmünchen-Auwiesen.

Pichling is located in the cadastral communities Pichling, Posch and partly Ufer. The district of the same name is approximately twice the size of the cadastral municipality of Pichling. The riverside areas fall under the cadastral districts of Ufer and Posch; the southwest part is outside the statistical district.

Pichling borders the districts of Ebelsberg, Industriegebiet-Hafen, Kleinmünchen-Auwiesen as well as others. The towns bordering Sankt Florian are to the south; Asten to the southeast; Luftenberg to the east; Steyregg to the north.

Geographically, the district is defined by the Traun River in the northwest and the Danube in the northeast. The Large and Small Weikerlosees inhabit the northern part, near the mouth of the Danube Traun. Gravel mining created these artificial lakes in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, people enjoy using them as swimming, fishing, and boating areas. Southern in nature, the Pichlinger See is another artificial lake formed by the flooding of an old clay quarry. Popular for recreation and water sports, the Pichlinger See is the largest lake in Linz.

Among Pichling’s most notable features is the residential development known as The Solar City, which was built next to the Weikerl Lakes between 1998 and 2005. Renowned designers, including Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Helmut Jahn, have developed the solar city with the aim of promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. The Solar City consists of around 1,300 apartments as well as shops, cultural centers, schools and kindergartens. The buildings are equipped with heat pumps, solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems; their orientations maximize natural light and ventilation. The Solar City is among the largest and most successful examples of solar architecture in Europe.

In addition to its natural and urban attractions, Pichling is a district rich in social and cultural events. Throughout the year, Pichling celebrates many festivals, including the Pichlinger Adventmarkt, the Pichlinger Kirtag and the Pichlinger Seefest. In addition to a vibrant sports scene, Pichling has numerous sailing, football, tennis and volleyball clubs and associations. Also in Pichling is the Pichlinger Schloss, a historic 16th-century castle that today serves as a cultural center and venue for events, including weddings.