Urfahr
German for “passage,” the name Urfahr reflects the importance of this crossing point for goods and people across the Danube. Originally mentioned in 1288 as a residential area for the inhabitants of Linz, Urfahr was then located on the right bank of the river. Built in 1318, the Urfahrt Gate represented the northern entrance to the city. The village on the left bank of the Danube, today Urfahr, was so named in 1360.
Until 1919, Urfahr was a separate municipality; it was later merged with Pöstlingberg, a neighboring district with a well-known pilgrimage basilica, in Linz. Before that, Urfahr had a unique history and identity, shaped by its geographic location and economic activities. Via the Linzer Steig, a road network connecting Urfahr to Freistadt, Leonfelden, Schenkenfelden and other towns in the Mühlviertel region, Urfahr was a hub for the transport of salt from the Salzkammergut region to Bohemia. Thanks to the Budweis-Linz-Gmunden horse-drawn railway, in operation from 1832 to 1872, Urfahr also developed close ties with the town of Budweis, Czech Republic.
The history of Urfahr is distinguished above all by its long struggle for market rights. Since 1492, when Emperor Frederick III approved the construction of a chapel and access to religious services by Irish priests, the Urfahrans wanted to have their own market. But the Linz authorities, which enjoy exclusive rights to the market, rejected this idea and refused Urfahr’s request for a market study. After years of opposition from Linzer, Urfahr finally acquired the right to organize a market in 1808. This resulted in the biannual folk festival known as Urfahraner Markt, still observed today at the Danube Fairgrounds, Urfahraner Donaulände. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the Urfahraner Markt is one of Austria’s oldest and largest fairs. It features a range of attractions including traditional food and crafts, exhibition halls, rides and shows.
Urfahr also had an influence on the military history of Linz and Austria. After an ice explosion destroyed four yokes of the Danube bridge, the boatmen Urfahrer and Linz had to transport the infamous Passau warriors across the river in 1611. Hired by the Catholic League as mercenaries to fight against the Protestant Bohemians During the Thirty Years’ War, the Passau warriors were In 1809, Urfahr also witnessed a battle as the French army of Napoleon Bonaparte routed the Austrian army of Archduke Charles. Until 1814, Urfahr was occupied by the French; they left after the Congress of Vienna.
Social changes, urbanization and industrialization all shaped Urfahr’s growth in the 19th and 20th centuries. Urfahr became a town in 1882 and a district town in 1893. At the time of its incorporation into Linz in 1919, it was the most populous town in the Mühlviertel region with around 15,000 inhabitants. Since 1888, the Mühlkreisbahn, a railway line connecting Linz-Urfahr station to Aigen-Schlägl in the upper Mühlviertel region, has benefited Urfahr. Along with the emergence of new businesses, including the Linz Textile Factory, the Urfahr Brewery and the Urfahr Glass Factory, Urfahr also observed that with the establishment of universities, theaters, cinemas and sports teams, Urfahr has also become a hub of sport, education and culture.
From medieval to modern forms, Urfahr’s architecture and monuments reflect its past. Among the historic buildings still visible in Urfahr are:
Gothic church whose roots date back to the 15th century, the Nikolaikirche. Originally built for the Urfahrans as a chapel, it was expanded and underwent renovations later. Its altar is baroque; its pulpit is rococo; its tower is neo-Gothic.
Harbach Castle is a noble house from the 16th century. Different aristocratic families, including the Auerspergs, the Harrachs and the Khevenhüllers, owned it. It is no longer open to the public; it is private property.
Built in 1884, the neoclassical town hall of Urfahr was until 1919 the seat of the municipality of Urfahr; subsequently, it served the Urfahr district until 1938. Today it serves as an administrative and cultural center.
Consisting of a steel arch bridge spanning the Danube, the Urfahr Bridge connects Urfahr to the Innere Stadt district of Linz. Built in 1938, it replaced an old wooden bridge destroyed by a flood in 1935. It is one of the main traffic arteries of Linz, it is also a common place for cyclists and pedestrians.
In addition to having a rich history, Urfahr is a neighborhood that is full of attractions and activities for both locals and tourists. Urfahr suits many tastes and interests by offering a mix of entertainment, culture and scenery. Urfahr has some famous sites and attractions including:
Rising above Urfahr, the Pöstlingberg hill offers a wide perspective over Linz and the Danube. Thanks to the Pöstlingberg Basilica, a pilgrimage church built in the 18th century with a Romanesque exterior and Baroque interior, it is among the most visited tourist destinations in Linz. The Pöstlingberg is also the terminus of the Pöstlingbergbahn, a narrow-gauge railway connecting Linz’s Hauptplatz (main square) to the top of the hill. In operation since 1898, the Pöstlingbergbahn is the steepest adhesion railway in the world. The Pöstlingberg is also home to other attractions, including the Linz Zoo, a small zoo housing around 800 species from many continents, and the Grottenbahn, a fairytale-themed ride that transports visitors into a cave with scenes Tales from the Brothers Grimm.
The Ars Electronica Center is a museum and research center focusing on the intersection of art, technology and society. Located on the Donaulände, near the Urfahr Bridge, it has a unique glass facade that changes color at night. Among the most recent developments in the fields of digital media, interactive art, robotics, biotechnology and much more, the Ars Electronica Center exhibits. Along with this, it hosts the Ars Electronica festival every year, which includes awards related to electronic art and culture as well as exhibitions and seminars.
On the Donaulände, opposite the Ars Electronica center, is the Lentos Art Museum, a collection of modern and contemporary art. It is housed in a modern building with a glass skin that glows in many hues at night. From paintings and sculptures to images and videos, the Lentos Art Museum has a collection of around 1,500 pieces. It also hosts educational programs, events and pop-up exhibitions. Austria’s first art museum, the Lentos Art Museum is a cultural gem in Linz.
The Danube promenade known as Donaulände runs along Urfahr. With views of the river and the city, it is a popular place for walking, horse riding, jogging or relaxing quietly. Various cultural and social events, including the Urfahraner Markt, the Ars Electronica Festival, the Linz Festival and the Klangwolke, a multimedia show combining music, light and pyrotechnics, take place at the Donaulände. Reflecting the attitude of Urfahr and Linz, the vibrant and varied Donaulände captures
The Urfahr Shopping Center is located in the very center of Urfahr. Comprising around 100 stores, restaurants and services, it is the largest shopping center in Linz. In addition to a children’s playground, fitness center and movie theater, it offers shopping, dining and entertainment in Urfahr, Urfahr Shopping Center is a modern and convenient place.
Combining the old and the new, the traditional and the modern, the rural and the metropolitan, Urfahr is a district with a great character and charm. People can appreciate the fun of entertainment, the beauty of nature, and the art culture at Urfahr. Since Urfahr hosts people from many backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles, it is also a place where one may experience the variety of Linz. Urfahr is a neighborhood that captures the Linz history, inventiveness, and attitude.
