Landstrasse (Linz)

The Linzer Landstraße, located in Linz’s city center district, is renowned as the primary retail thoroughfare and one of Austria’s most frequented streets. It spans approximately 1.3 kilometers from the Taubenmarkt to the Westbahn underpass near Blumau, accommodating Linz trams along its entire length.

Historically, a route parallel to the modern country road was documented in the 13th century, referred to as “via contra Lintzam” and “aput stratam Lintze.” By around 1730, the street was divided into four sections: inner suburb (up to Bethlehemstrasse), middle suburb (up to Bischofstrasse), outer suburb (up to Langgasse), and Neuhäusl (beyond Langgasse). The Carmelite Church served as the delineation point between inner and outer rural roads by approximately 1825, near today’s Mozart crossing.

On November 26, 1977, the Linzer Landstraße was established as Upper Austria’s inaugural pedestrian zone, marking a significant development in the street’s history and enhancing its appeal for pedestrians and shoppers alike.

Taubenmarkt to Mozartkreuzung

The northernmost section of the Landstraße starts from the Taubenmarkt, a square that is the most visited location in Upper Austria. The Taubenmarkt, which means “pigeon market”, was named after the bird sellers who used to gather here in the past. Today, it is a bustling hub of public transportation, commerce, and education, with many tram and bus lines, shops, offices, and schools nearby.

The Landstraße connects the Taubenmarkt to the main square of Linz, the Hauptplatz, via the Schmidtorstraße, a street that was opened in 1861. Before that, the only way to reach the Hauptplatz from the Taubenmarkt was through the narrow and winding Domgasse, which passes by the Old Cathedral, a Gothic church that dates back to the 13th century.

The Landstraße itself is a pedestrian zone, which means that no cars are allowed, only trams and bicycles. It is also the city’s main shopping street, with a wide range of stores, from international brands to local boutiques. There are also two large shopping malls on this section of the street: the Arcade, which is located on the Taubenmarkt and has an entrance through the Palais Weißenwolff, a Baroque palace built in 1715; and the Passage, which is located a few hundred meters south and has a modern glass facade.

One of the most notable buildings on this section of the street is the old Hotel Schiff, which is located on the west side, just before the Mozart bridge. This building, which is now the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party of Upper Austria, was the site of a historic event in 1934, when a gunfight between the socialist Schutzbund and the conservative Heimwehr triggered the Austrian Civil War, a short but bloody conflict that ended with the establishment of a fascist dictatorship.

On the opposite side of the street, there are three important cultural institutions: the Ursulinenkirche, a Baroque church that belongs to the Ursuline convent; the Landeskulturzentrum Ursulinenhof, a cultural center that hosts exhibitions, concerts, and workshops; and the Karmeliterkirche, a church that was originally built by the Carmelite order in the 17th century and later renovated in the 19th century.

Mozartkreuzung to Schillerplatz

The second section of the Landstraße extends from the Mozartkreuzung, a busy intersection named after the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who visited Linz several times and composed his Symphony No. 36 here, to the Schillerplatz, a square named after the German poet and philosopher Friedrich Schiller, who was a friend and collaborator of Mozart.

This section of the street is also a pedestrian zone, and continues to offer a variety of shopping opportunities, as well as some historical and architectural landmarks. One of them is the Martin Luther Church, a Protestant church that was built in 1842-1844 in a neo-Gothic style. It is the oldest Protestant church in Linz and the second oldest in Upper Austria.

Another notable building is the Palais Kaufmännischer Verein, a palace that serves as the club house of the Commercial Association of Linz, a business and social organization that was founded in 1833. The palace was built in 1898-1900 in a neo-Renaissance style and features a richly decorated facade and interior. It is also a popular venue for balls and events, especially during the carnival season.

On the Schillerplatz, there are two more attractions: the Casino Linz, a gambling and entertainment center that opened in 1982 and offers a range of games, shows, and restaurants; and the Hotel Schillerpark, a four-star hotel that was built in 1912-1913 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious hotels in the city. The Schillerplatz is also the location of the Upper Austrian State Library, a public library that holds over one million books and media items, as well as a collection of manuscripts and rare books.

Schillerplatz to Blumau

The third and final section of the Landstraße runs from the Schillerplatz to the Blumau, a district that is located near the Westbahn railway line and the Danube river. This section of the street is not a pedestrian zone, but still has some interesting features to offer.

The most noticeable one is the Volksgarten, a park that is one of the oldest and most diverse in Linz. It was created in 1829 by a businessman who wanted to create a public green space for the citizens of Linz. He planted over 100 different species of trees and shrubs, some of which are still present today. The park was bought by the city of Linz in 1857 and has since been expanded and improved. It is a popular place for recreation, relaxation, and cultural events, such as the Christmas market that takes place here every year during the Advent season.

Another highlight of this section of the street is the Musiktheater, a music theater that opened in 2013 and is the largest and most modern opera house in Austria. It has a capacity of 1,200 seats and hosts performances of opera, musical, ballet, and drama. It is also a landmark of contemporary architecture, with a striking glass facade that reflects the changing colors of the sky and the surroundings.

Next to the Musiktheater, there is the old accident hospital, a building that was built in 1913-1914 and served as a hospital for the injured workers of the nearby industrial plants. It was closed in 2005 and is now awaiting a new use. On the Blumau, there is also a BB headquarters building, a building that belongs to the BB Bank, a regional bank that was founded in 1882. This building is currently being considered as a potential location for a new hotel.

Linz, Austria