St. Magdalena

Originally a separate village called Haselbach, St. Magdalena was first mentioned in a document from 1110. Haselbach, meaning “hazelnut stream”, is the stream that runs through the area. Derived from the chapel located on Magdalenaberg hill, the name Sainte-Madeleine was first used in 1482 and gradually replaced the old name in the 17th century. Built in the 13th century, the chapel in honor of Saint Mary Magdalene is among the oldest structures in the district.

Along with some other neighboring towns, St. Magdalena joined Linz in 1938. Two statistical areas: St. Magdalena and Linz. Magdalena and Dornach-Auhof have comprised the district since 2014. Spanning 15.7 square kilometers, the district has a population of around 18,000.

From flat alluvial plains to mountainous forests, St. Magdalena has a varied topography. Situated in the Danube floodplain, the southern area of the district includes the towns of Obersteg, Untersteg, Dornach, Furth and Katzbach. Until the construction of the Danube Power Plant in 1979, floods often devastated this region. Situated at the foot of the Mühlviertel highlands, the north of the district includes the villages of Auhof, Elmberg, Haselgraben, Maderleiten and St. Magdalena. Hills, forests and meadows define this section. The western boundary of the district of Pöstlingberg and the adjacent municipality of Lichtenberg forms the Haselgraben stream, which bears the original name of the region.

From cultural and historical sites to natural and recreational areas, St. Magdalena presents a range of attractions and activities for visitors and residents. Highlights include:

Famous site of the district, the Sainte-Magdalena chapel, located on the Magdalenaberg hill, is quite often visited by hikers and pilgrims. The chapel has a Baroque tower and a Gothic nave as well as a wooden figure of Saint Mary Magdalene from the 15th century. The hill also offers a panoramic perspective of the city and the Alps.
Among the oldest trees in Austria, the old lime tree near the chapel is said to be over 700 years old. With a height of 25 meters and a circumference of 10 meters, the tree has witnessed numerous historical events including the opening of the horse-drawn railway in 1832. Visible in the garden behind the old inn, the tree is still alive.
The Johannes Kepler University, the largest and most contemporary university in Upper Austria, is located in the statistical district of Dornach-Auhof. Founded in 1966, the institution is named after the eminent mathematician and astronomer who lived and worked in Linz. Four faculties make up the university: social sciences, economics and commerce, law, engineering and natural sciences. Also on the university campus are a science park, a solar observatory and a botanical garden.
Following the old horse-drawn railway line which linked Linz to Budweis in the Czech Republic, the carriage ride winds its way. Operating from 1832 to 1872, the railway was the first of its kind in continental Europe. Part of the European Green Belt, a system of natural and cultural environments along the former Iron Curtain, the railway line was transformed into a hiking and cycling path in 1996. The promenade winds along of historic sites, including the St. Florian Monastery and the Pöstlingberg Basilica. , and Linz Castle as well as picturesque settings.
The Museum and Research Center The Linz City Biology Center, located on Johann-Wilhelm-Klein-Strasse, is dedicated to the natural history and ecology of Linz and Upper Austria. Founded in 1973, the center houses more than 500,000 specimens ranging from animals, plants, fossils, minerals and meteorites. The center also provides public guided tours, seminars and exhibitions.

St. Magdalena is a district that offers a unique blend of urban and rural lifestyles, with a rich history and culture, a diverse geography and landscape, and a variety of attractions and activities. St. Magdalena is a district that is worth exploring and discovering, whether you are a visitor or a resident of Linz.