Attractions & Landmarks In St. Pölten
The capital of Lower Austria, Sankt Pölten has a rich tapestry of historical sites, cultural activities, waterfront attractions, and natural beauty.
Romanesque vaults, Baroque façades, medieval towers, and contemporary construction all show in the architectural mix of the city Among the famous historic sites are the Renaissance tower and Baroque façade of the City Hall (Rathaus), the 16th-century Pharmacy Löwen-Apotheke, and the 11th-century cathedral with 18th-century repairs. In this old Austrian city, the arrangement of these buildings produces an unusual visual experience.
Integral to the government and cultural scene, Landhaus is close to the old area and offers understanding of the administrative and cultural aspects of the city. The Museum of the Province of Lower Austria explores local art, fauna, and history; the Festival Playhouse conducts dance and musical events. The 252-foot (77-meter Tower of Sound has an observation platform for panoramic views, therefore offering a viewpoint of the cityscape.
Spending a day at the Viehofner Lakes participating in swimming, boating, windsurfing, or leisurely stroll along coastal paths will appeal to nature buffs. The lakes, which support a variety of birdlife like black-necked grebes and kingfishers, naturally appeal to the products the city offers.
The business scene of Sankt Pölten offers a pleasant shopping experience with little, independent establishments along the second-oldest pedestrian zone of the nation. Herrenplatz and Sunday flea markets provide more chances for unusual discoveries and local bargains.
Operating from soon before Easter to the end of December, the free, narrated trolley tram, known as the “Hauptstadt-Express,” offers travelers easily access to see the wonders of the city and insights into its past. English and German audio guides on board improve the experience, therefore providing an easily available and educational way to find Sankt Pölten’s appeal.
Museums In St. Pölten
St. Pölten City Museum
Established in 1909, the Stadtmuseum St. Pölten is the state museum of Lower Austria. Having been moved multiple times before settling permanently at the Karmeliterhof in 1976, it has a colorful background. The three floors of the museum are set apart for different subjects.
Comprising a thorough section on prehistoric and early historical objects from the St. Pölten region, the bottom level offers insights into archaeology. Emphasizing Art Nouveau in St. Pölten, the first level highlights the impact of this architectural and creative trend. The Lower Austrian Documentation Center for contemporary Art on the second level offers a whole view of local contemporary art.
Emphasizing epochs like transportation and industrial history, the museum offers a complete study of St. Pölten’s urban past. It also features works by eminent Art Nouveau movement painters, like Joseph Maria Olbrich’s home at Kremser Gasse 41. To give a whole picture of the artistic and cultural legacy of the city, the museum also has interactive components including 3D models and educational display boards.
Lower Austria Museum
Comprising history, art, and environment, the Lower Austria Museum is housed in St. Pölten and is a state museum. Established in 1902, it has developed throughout time integrating the House of Nature and the House of History into one organization. Stefan Karner’s House of History explores the stormy past of Lower Austria and Central Europe, including shows on the First Republic, youth, espionage, young Hitler, sports, and resistance art.
Hans Hollein (2002) and RATA PLAN (2009) designed the architectural changes for the museum. Positioning itself as an educational institution uniting science and the public, its tasks include collection preservation, expansion, scientific advancement, display, and administration.
Important elements of the museum include a 300 m2 area for special displays on regional history, a museum laboratory with virtual workstations, a large art collection spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and a collection database enabling thorough understanding of the assets of the museum. Along with thorough information on the museum blog, “On the Trail of Nature,” the museum boasts live animal exhibitions, aquariums, and a garden including a variety of species.
Museum am Dom St. Pölten
Founded in 1888, the oldest diocesan museum in Austria is the Museum am Dom, housed in St. Pölten’s ancient halls of the former Augustinian monastery. Comprising altars, sculptures, paintings, liturgical textiles, and liturgical artifacts, the museum shares space with the monastery library.
Through yearly events, the museum exhibits these artistic creations in a modern that guarantees a dynamic interaction with the visitors. Offering guests a window into Austria’s religious past and creative manifestations, the museum functions as a cultural and educational center. Liturgical textiles and items provide the displays more complexity and a whole picture of the tangible and spiritual elements of the Catholic heritage.
The presence of the museum and the monastery library enhances the cultural scene and creates an atmosphere in which spirituality, art, and history meet.
Lower Austrian State Library
Serving the public from its St. Pölten site, the Lower Austrian State Library (NLB) is a notable scientific library in Austria. Having been founded in 1813, it has moved multiple times, including spells in Vienna and Vienna. It first found its present residence in the government neighborhood of St. Pölten in 1997.
The NLB boasts 20,000 maps, 100,000 historical pictures, and an almost 365,000 printed book library. Its dedication to meet administrative as well as intellectual demands is shown in its concentration on regional studies and provincial administration. The building of the St. Pölten new library facility required 5.76 million euros.
The NLB received almost 8,000 euros and allocated over 929,000 euros in 2001. With a staff of twenty-one people as of 2002, the library’s importance as a complete source of research, regional studies, and administrative data within Lower Austria was even more reinforced.
Churches & Cathedrals In St. Pölten
St. Pölten Cathedral
Beginning in 790 when Adalbert and Otakar founded a subsidiary monastery at St. Pölten, the cathedral of the Diocese of St. Pölten has a long legacy. Later changed into an Augustinian monastery in 1081, the monastery was vital in missionary activity.
The cathedral started to take form about 1150 with twin towers and underwent major repairs following a fire between 1267 and 1280. Never to be restored, a fire in 1512 destroyed the north tower; in the 17th century, the cathedral took on its current look following a fire in 1621, producing a baroque-style diocesan structure. Grand renovations were started by Provost Johann Michel Führer, but financial difficulties hampered complete execution.
In 1785 the newly founded diocese of St. Pölten moved its headquarters to the cathedral. With baroque modifications in the south tower and dome lights, the building echoes late Romanesque features. Designed by Jakob Prandtauer, Joseph Munggenast, Daniel Gran, and Bartolomeo Altomonte, the interior has baroque magnificence with ceiling frescoes supplied by Thomas Friedrich Gedon.
Franciscan Church St. Pölten
Located on Rathausplatz, the ancient Roman Catholic parish church known as Franciscan Church in St. Pölten boasts a rich legacy going back to the middle of the 18th century. Designed under Baroque master builder Matthias Munggenast, the church first housed the Carmelite monastery until 1785. Built between 1757 and 1768. Originally devoted to the Infant Jesus of Prague, it underwent furnishings completion in 1779. The church was restored in 1986 and became a parish church under Franciscan control in 1785.
The rococo main façade of the church consists in a high plinth zone, segmental arch entryway, Ionic pilasters bundles, and a flat-arched gable. The main level has images of St. Joachim, Anna, John the Baptist, the Mother of God, and God the Father together with sculptures of Elijah and Teresa of Avila and a high altar with a crucifix. The choir shows pilastered walls with gold capitals; the nave has rococo-style polychromy. Martin Johann Schmidt’s altarpieces and vaulted ceiling in the Loreto chapel behind the choir
The church also has a neo-baroque altar from about 1900 containing the Madonna figure of the Gorizia Mother of God, a Rococo sculpture supporting a figure of Our Lady of Loreto, a rocaille-carved pulpit, confessional boxes, seats, a porch built about 1770, and an organ piece by Franz Capek.
Parish Church of St. Pölten-St. Joseph
St. Pölten-St. Pölten-St. Parish Church Roman Catholic Josef, a Lower Austrian ecclesiastical building connected to the Diocese of St. Pölten, is notable inside the Deanery of St. Pölten. Designed between 1924 and 1929, it has a three-aisled pillar basilica with a transept, a central funnel-shaped entryway, arched windows, and a historicized eaves cornice.
Comprising a mounted plaque honoring the first pastor, Paulus Wörndl, the entry front of the church faces Pater-Paulus-Platz Three portals, a circular apse, and a cast metal statue of Christ by Karl Schwerzel define the north side. On the west side of the transept and chancel stands a lofty church tower with a pitched roof.
Designed in 1933 based on ideas by Heinrich Zita, the interior contains a high altar, stipes with tiered reredos, and tabernacles covered in reliefs. The historical features of the church, including the Pater-Paulus-Platz and plaque, give its importance in the nearby neighborhood historical depth.
Parish Church of St. Georgen am Steinfelde
Within the Deanery of St. Pölten, linked with the Diocese of St. Pölten, St. Georgen am Steinfelde is a historic religious site Roman Catholic parish church in Lower Austria. By the 14th century, the 1248-founded church was a vicariate one. It suffered some partial damage during the Turkish War in 1683.
Josef Wissgrill most likely built the existing building about 1749, and it changed significantly in 1784 adding a parish church designation. Renovations were carried there in 1899 and more improvements took place 1934. 1969–1970 saw a thorough interior renovation.
The church has a west tower with a baroque top floor and a 19th-century tent roof, a choir with tracery and buttresses, and a high central nave with four-axis aisles. An ancient cemetery wall around the church gives the location historical context.
Parish Church of St. Pölten-Maria Lourdes
Comprising the Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Pölten, St. Pölten-Maria Lourdes is a parish church in Lower Austria. The combination of Spratzer, Viehofen, and Wagram as well as population increase helped to create it during the interwar years.
Formally started in 1953, the church was dedicated to Maria Lourdes in 1958. Following his design competition victory, Architect Franz Barnath laid a foundation stone in 1959. 1961 saw consecration of the church. Added in 1969, a 3.70-meter-tall Virgin Mary monument now clearly visible in the apse.
The church had exterior repairs and a roof replacement in 2018; inside upgrades in 2021 will help to preserve and improve its structural and visual integrity. Serving as a vital component of the worship experience and evidence of the creative contributions made by the church, the Oberösterreichische Organbauanstalt helped to define its auditory environment in 1981.
Evangelical parish church of St. Pölten
Found between Schiessstattring and Hessstraße, the multi-denominational Evangelical Parish Church of St. Pölten accepts members from both the Evangelical Church A.B. the headquarters of the Evangelical Superintendency AB Lower Austria is the Evangelical Church H.B.
Built between 1891 and 1892, the neo-Gothic church has a long front and an east-facing tower front. Inside is a reredos altar showing Emil Fuchs’ portrayal of the Crucified and a choir housed in a ribbed vault hall. The church received major renovations in 2014, including a new entrance lobby linking the church and vicarage with a glass roof.
Working with the Federal Monuments Office, the inside was rebuilt using modern design mixed with old elements. Designed by Orgelbau Pirchner in 1959, the organ is a crucial musical component under Walter Vonbank’s direction in 2014. Two registers were added to the church during its make-over as well.
Theaters In St. Pölten
Festspielhaus St. Pölten
Showcasing a varied assortment of events from dance, symphonic music, jazz, and leading Cirque Nouveau companies and world music luminaries, the Festspielhaus in St. Pölten, Austria, is a prominent location for international dance and contemporary ballet. Originally opening in 1997, the theater has included dance pieces, concerts, young forms, and chamber music since 2013. Establishing itself as a key actor in the global cultural landscape, the venue organizes guest performances, co-products, and artist residencies.
The Festspielhaus has become the permanent residence of the Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria, therefore augmenting its varied repertoire. The house gives audience involvement top priority and creates a creative exchange open space. Unveiled in 1997, architect Klaus Kada’s inventive design signaled a turning point in Lower Austrian cultural life.
The Great Hall of the Festspielhaus, which holds a range of events from traditional celebrations to opera performances and dance plays, is one of four separate rooms with different capacity. One of the most famous elements is the massive Eva Schlegel piece of art, the Iron Curtain, which divides the stage from the theater. The venue’s efficient architecture, large foyers, and parking garage add to its general attractiveness and provide a flawless and stimulating experience for audiences as well as artists.
State Theater of Lower Austria
Established 1820 as a permanent theater and ballroom, the Lower Austrian State Theater in St. Pölten, Austria, Later, financial problems drove it to be sold to the city in 1848. The theater was rebuilt extensively in 1893, keeping its old outside walls but adding a bigger stage, enlarged orchestra space, and more seating capacity.
It was closed temporarily, nevertheless, for the 1927–28 season and subsequently joined the Stadtebundtheater. It was used as SS barracks and storage during World War II, which destroyed roofs. The theater reopened in 1948 first as an outdoor space as it lacked a roof. Under Paul Pfaffenbichler’s thorough repair and enlargement between 1966 and 1969, it had a lowered seating capacity of 411.
It was changed the Theater of the State Capital of St. Pölten – Theater for Lower Austria in the 1990s. Emphasizing conventional theatrical performances, it changed its name to Landestheater Niederösterreich in 2005/06 2012 saw a new theater café combined with a refurbishment of the main building’s lobby, therefore blending modern features with the traditional ambiance.
Castles and Palaces St. Pölten
Ochsenburg Castle
Restored in the 16th century, the medieval fortification Ochsenburg Castle in St. Pölten became a Renaissance-style palace. Built perhaps in 1698 by Jakob Prandtauer, the baroque south wing helped to shape the architecture of the castle. Martin Johann Schmidt helped the Nikolaus chapel to be rebuilt in the 18th century.
Over its lifetime, the ownership of the castle shifted from the Canons of St. Pölten to the Lassbergers until 1675, when the Lord of Leisser bought it. The St. Pölten monastery bought the castle in 1699; unfortunately, the monastery was dissolved in 1784 and the fortress passed to Lower Austrian ecclesiastical fund. In 1785 the just founded Diocese of St. Pölten acquired control over the castle.
It was a military hospital following World War II and subsequently a vacation house for the St. Pölten bishops. The Diocese of St. Pölten intended to sell the castle for perhaps three million euros in 2010.
Pottenbrunn Palace
Found in St. Pölten’s Pottenbrunn district, Pottenbrunn Palace—also known as Trautmannsdorf Palace—is a historic complex. On a castle island it has a two-wing Renaissance castle and a medieval castle with a tower. The roots of the castle come from a Salzburg estate noted in a 977 record. Sebastian Grabner the Elder bought the castle in 1505 and started additions until 1527.
In 1600 the outer bailey became a double-wing residential mansion. Particularly to the east wing between the early nineteenth century and about 1920, the castle changed in structural terms and ownership. David Fanto bought it in 1916, then sold it to the Trauttmansdorff family in 1926. The castle collapsed in 1961 after major damage during World War II. Public encouragement helped it to be restored in 1966.
Former castle turned into a tin figure museum with an amazing 35,000 figure collection in 1970. Mostly composed of the Old Castle and the New Castle, the New Castle has been extensively renovated. The Pottenbrunner Brunnader feeds the moats, which stay watery and adds to the beautiful scene. Accessible by a bridge, the castle is only seen from the outside as it is presently occupied.
Viehofen Castle
Rising in the Viehofen area of St. Pölten, Viehofen Castle has a rich legacy going back at least 1130. Pope Alexander III acknowledged its property rights formally in 1179. Owned by the St. Pölten Monastery, the castle chapel had first mention in 1248. The “Viehofner” sprang from a ministerial dynasty formed in the 12th and 13th centuries; Reinprecht von Wallsee rose to prominence in the early 14th century.
The castle was owned by the Wallseer family until the late 15th century, then went through several hands until Bernhard von Kirchberg bought it in 1508. The Kirchberg family owned the land until maybe 1640, when it passed through several proprietors. The Counts of Kuefstein seized control in 1745 and kept possession until 2003.
Originally the parish church, the castle chapel continued to be important until the Viehofen church was built in 1898. Emphasizing the cultural and historical worth of the castle, Josef Figl bought it from a bankruptcy estate in 2003 and started major restoration projects to bring it back to life.
Wasserburg Castle
Rich in history going back to 1185, Wasserburg Castle is a baroque castle located in St. Pölten’s Pottenbrunn area. Originally connected to Heinrich von Wasserberg in the early 13th century, it became very important in that century.
Later owners of the castle were Otto von Haslau and Wulfing von Arnstein; then, the Puchbergers. It was sold to Christoph von Zinzendorf in 1515 and kept as their family residence for more than four centuries. Heinrich Fünfkirchen purchased the estate in 1912 following the death of Karl von Zinzendorf in 1813.
Wasserburg Castle provided troops with a makeshift recovery center during World War I. Carl Hugo Graf von Seilern und Aspang bought the land in 1923; the Seilern und Aspang family owns the castle even today. The history of the castle shows the contributions of several noble families, therefore highlighting its adaptation to different times and its ongoing importance as a cultural monument in the area.
Baths & Lakes in St. Pölten
Aquacity St. Pölten
Comprising three levels and covering more than 6,000 m², the calm and varied Aquacity facility in St. Pölten It provides a range of events and facilities, thereby appealing to guests of all ages. The building boasts saunas, pools, lounges, showers, and infrared chambers. It presents two Finnish saunas, a Biosauna, a sauna buffet, a Soledampfbad, and a herbal bath. A 200 m² leisure area, roof terrace, and solarium are further conveniences. Parking is provided at several points and LUP lines 1, 3, 5, and 9 readily approach the aquacity. The facility is also handy—a five-minute stroll from Hallenbad station.
Citysplash St. Pölten
St. Pölten’s summer pool has been redesigned to provide a variety of water-based activities including an adventure pool, a sports and diving pool, a family and children’s section, gastronomic restaurants, and naturist sun deck. The large 460 m² adventure pool boasts a huge broad slide, a flow channel with bottom bubblers, a 77-meter-long tube slide with daylight effects and exact timekeeping, and Designed to house a variety of water sports and activities, the 1,205 m² sports and diving pool
Specifically designed with a water play garden and a shade sail for extra comfort, the family and children’s area is Also offered to guests are gastronomy services. Nestled in Handel-Mazzetti-Strasse 2, 3100 St. Pölten, the redesigned aquatic facility provides a whole aquatic experience combining aspects of relaxation, adventure, and family-friendly features. The revised amenities try to give guests a well-rounded and fun surroundings.
Ratzersdorfer See
Popular summertime sports and leisure destination the Ratzersdorfer See swimming paradise in St. Pölten, Germany. Being the official bathing lake in St. Pölten, it provides swimming jetties, a walking and cycling path, a nudist area, a surrounding forest, and other leisure activities like beach volleyball courts and kiosks.
Three playgrounds, four beach volleyball courts, a basketball court, a football field, a miniature golf course, a lakeside skate park, a calisthenics facility, a free run facility, running, walking, and cycling paths, a naturist zone, a campsite, a fitness facility, and a leisure center define key features.
Walking aficionados will find the picturesque and natural surroundings around the lake also home for the Feldmühle Nature Walk. Recognised with a nature protection award, the Viehofner Lakes, linked by a bicycle and pedestrian bridge since 2006, have a floating pier and an observation tower.
Viehofner Lakes
Covering 53 hectares, the calm haven known as the Viehofner lakes in St. Pölten boasts half of the entire area from water sections. Nesting rare bird species, they constitute a major bird habitat in central Lower Austria. Conservation initiatives restrict swimming access to the east side of the bigger lake. Recreational activities on the smaller lake are subject to environmental limitations as well, therefore guaranteeing responsible relaxation in delicate surroundings. Integating natural areas inside the urban environment, the Viehofner lakes and Ratzersdorfer lake add to St. Pölten’s distinctive lake experience and show the city’s dedication to a harmonic coexistence between urban growth and environmental preservation.
Parks in St. Pölten
Südpark
With arcades and vivid flower designs, Südpark in St. Pölten is a baroque elegant park. It has become a music school with a calm environment with piano melodies, children’s laughing, and the buzz of bees. Couples looking for a gorgeous wedding site often choose the park as its ancient industrial house is an art nouveau mansion. Events like champagne receptions and wedding photographs find a lovely setting in the park as well. Growing trend of more couples opting to exchange vows among the beautiful splendor of the park underlines its appeal as a wedding site. Südpark is a multifarious attraction in St. Pölten because of its harmonic combination of historical buildings, natural beauty, and cultural change.
Kaiserwald St. Pölten
Established in 1898 to commemorate Emperor Franz Joseph I, St. Pölten’s largest park, the “Kaiserwald,” has 250,000 plants and provides a two-kilometer educational woodland path to provide insights on local flora and animals as well as a range of fitness possibilities. The great variety of plant life in the park provides a habitat for a wide spectrum of species, therefore contributing to its ecological diversity. Families and anyone looking for leisure and active recreation find great attraction in the park. The park’s attractiveness is improved even further by the introduction of pathways connecting an animal enclosure to a large adventure playground. The two-kilometer educational forest path also shows how dedicated the park is to environmental learning.
Sparkassen park
Designed in Berlin, Germany, the 18750-square-meter Sparkassenpark, sometimes known as the Stadtpark, reflects English landscape gardens. It has a fountain and a monument honoring Emperor Joseph II. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) carried out a wildlife count to underline the park’s ecological value. The park has had a horticulture makeover with an eye toward a culinary herb and medicinal plant garden. This enhancement improves the attractiveness of the park and fits with environmentally friendly methods. The inventory of the WWF emphasizes the need of urban green areas in sustaining biodiversity as the park provides a habitat for many kinds of animals.
Hammer Park
Situated on the southwest fringe of the cultural area, the 4.7-hectare Hammerpark boasts a sophisticated system of pathways providing simple access. It boasts interacting animal inhabitants like ducks, goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs as well as a natural pond and a kid-friendly playground. The park’s varied spectrum of attractions—which includes the pond, animal habitats, and leisure areas—helps to explain why it appeals as a green space. Including animal habitats highlights the good influence of nature and animal interactions on visitor experiences as urban park design trends match with them. The park’s pathway system guarantees simple exploration, so it is a friendly place for all kinds of visitors.
Golf in St. Pölten
St. Pölten-Goldegg Golf Club
Golf has become a natural feature of St. Pölten’s leisure scene since its inclusion into the regional capital of Lower Austria in 1988. Originally a little 9-hole short course, under the care of Austria’s biggest golf course operator, the Murhof Group, it has evolved into a modern 27-hole facility.
Centered on the ancient Goldegg Castle, the 18-hole park course is the crowning gem of this golfing paradise. Designed by well-known architects like Gerold Hauser and Jeremy Pern, the 5491-meter course makes use of the mountainous and woodland surroundings to provide a demanding but worthwhile experience. Both beginners and experienced golfers can negotiate the course, value the strategic arrangement that provides decent chances of success.
Especially noteworthy are the two par 5s closing either half of the course, posing a strategic challenge. While a well-planned 18th drive and layoff help to mark a successful end of the golfing day, the 9th green with its appealing pond calls for accuracy.
Among Austria’s classified “excellent” 9-hole short courses, the St. Pöltner Schloß course is unique. Ranging from 77 to 282 meters, it calls for sharp short game and well-executed iron shots to achieve the par 60 criteria. Professional tour players and single handicapped players also like the special challenge the castle course presents.
Modern practice facilities at Goldegg Castle mirror the dedication of the St. Pölten Golf Club to excellence. The club guarantees a complete training environment for golfers of all skill levels from a partially covered driving range to target greens, practice bunker, chipping area, and a sizable putting green.
Buildings and Architecture In St. Pölten
Landhaus St. Pölten
Rising in the government district of St. Pölten, Landhaus St. Pölten is a notable construction complex holding important buildings like the Lower Austrian state government, state parliament, state government, and cultural institutions. Using a staff of 2,500 to 3,000 people, it greatly influences the local job scene. After Vienna’s split from Lower Austria in 1922, the state parliament—which sat along the Traisen’s banks—was moved to St. Pölten Along with a festival hall, state archive, state library, exhibition hall, and state museum, the complex comprises
Ernst Hoffmann developed an 80-meter high sound tower for the landhaus complex. On the location of the old racetrack stadium, building started on November 1, 1992. Ten building companies engaged in 5.3 billion schillings of construction including 19,000 tons of steel and 223,000 cubic meters of concrete. The project transformed the architectural and functional scene of St. Pölten by turning the old racing stadium site into a key administrative and cultural complex.
Klangturm
Built in 1996, the iconic Klangturm in St. Pölten is either the second or highest building in the city. Designed by Ernst Hoffmann, it has a roof with many communication devices and measures 77 meters tall. The viewing deck of the Klangturm provides sweeping views of the surrounds. Constructed from 650 tons of steel and 1000 square meters of glass, it has three five-ish-meter-diameter spheres weighing around nine tons.
For guests, these spheres work as specialized listening stations offering an interactive and aural environment. Comprising technical components with an observation platform, the Klangturm is also a multipurpose construction. Its strategic location in St. Pölten’s cityscape and incorporation of modern design features make it a prominent landmark in the architectural and cultural scene of the city.
University Hospital St. Pölten
With 1140 beds, the University Hospital St. Pölten under State Health Agency (LGA) management is the biggest hospital in Lower Austria. Originating in 1894, the hospital’s foundation is set on January 18, 1894. Emperor Franz Josef I opened it that same day, and the hospital saw notable surgical activity. It grew over time adding 320 beds with Pavilions 1 and 2.
It grew with Pavilion 3 in the late 1920s and early 1930s adding X-ray, gynecological, ENT, and eye care specialized sections. Though World War II presented difficulties, Pavilion 4 opened for business in 1941. After WWII, the hospital was extensively rebuilt. Rich in history, strategically expanded, and able to meet changing medical demands, the hospital is a key healthcare facility in Lower Austria.
St. Pölten Main Station
On the Western Railway, St. Pölten Hauptbahnhof, sometimes Bahnhof St. Pölten, is an important railway junction in St. Pölten, Lower Austria. Its roots are in the building of the “Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Westbahn” in 1851, which fundamentally changed the urban fabric of the city. The starting location for several railway lines, the St. Pölten main station is therefore a major hub in the regional and long-distance train system.
Its importance in transcontinental rail travel is shown by its strategic position on the main European railway from Paris to Bratislava/Budapest, including the Austrian Western Railway and future extension. St. Pölten Hbf is a key node in the railway system as it links Vienna mainly and helps to provide necessary connections. Further confirming its importance as a major transportation center, the station also acts as a stop for regional fast trains and regional trains heading towards Vienna, Amstetten, and Linz.
St. Pölten Town Hall
Rich in history going back to 1503, St. Pölten Town Hall is situated on Rathausplatz in Lower Austria. Expansions and reconstruction in 1567 included the western section incorporated into the facade. Originally a granary and armaments store, the octagonal town hall tower was finished in 1591. Early in the eighteenth century, the baroque change took place; Joseph Munggenast notably renovated it in 1727. Roman-German rulers’ medallion pictures abound on the imperial ceiling of the mayor’s chamber. Built between 1750 and 1775, the onion dome had coat of arms decorations added following the Kremser and Wienertor destruction.
Among the several purposes the town hall has fulfilled are municipal scales, salt offices, bread tables, fire stations, rescue garages, libraries, museums, and city prisons. Discovered during west front renovation, a sgraffito fragment from the late 14th century adds an archeological dimension to its historical importance. Combining architectural features from several centuries, the St. Pölten Town Hall reflects the development of the community and functions as a multifarious hub.
St. Pölten Synagogue
Built between 1912 and 1913 by Theodor Schreier and Viktor Postelberg, the main synagogue serving the St. Pölten Jewish population until the November pogroms of 1938 was the St. Pölten Synagogue. Situated on Dr. Karl Renner Promenade, it has evolved and today serves as Austria’s Institute for Jewish History. Eastern and western side tracts round an octagonal main tract of the synagogue, which has a large dome.
Comprising the old cult chamber, the main wing links to the former school building at Lederergasse 12. Ground floor, upper floor, and dome form the three tiers of the facade. Whereas the top floor consists of tall, rectangular windows split by pilaster strips, the base floor has low segmented arched windows capped by a jagged cordon cornice. The original colorful windows were taken down in 1938; a segmental gable under the dome shows pictures of the Tables of the Law encircled by floral designs.
Pharmacy Zum Goldenen Löwen
Dating back to 1545, St. Pölten’s earliest recorded pharmacy and shop is the Pharmacy Zum Goldenen Löwen, sometimes known as the Hassack Pharmacy. Originally a landscape pharmacy, its kind has changed with time. Rooted in the early 16th century, Joseph Munggenast created a baroque façade with hipped mansard roof, dormers, and rhythmic pilasters. Grooved wall forms and a blind story in the roof region accentuates the architectural complexity of the structure.
Housed at the City Museum, the “Madonna with the Crown of Stars” canopy is a striking element on the “sharp corner” of the building. The front gable of Kremsergasse has stucco embellishment. Joseph Königsdorffer, 1609 pharmacist, graced Wienerstraße with an armored arm brandishing an axe on his sandstone coat of arms. The Pharmacy Zum Goldenen Löwen’s minute features help to explain its importance as a St. Pölten architectural and cultural monument.
Hesser barracks
Dedicated to Heinrich Freiherr von Hess, the Hesser Barracks, housed at Schiessstattring 8-10 in St. Pölten, are a federal army barracks Built in 1957, it aggregates three already-existing Landwehr barracks: Franz Joseph Barracks, Rainer Barracks, and Eugen Barracks. Named for Heinrich Freiherr von Hess, the barracks are a major historical monument and integral part of military activities in Lower Austria.
The concentrated position of the barracks helps to coordinate and run military operations in Lower Austria. With a background spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the barracks are historically significant and fit for modern military needs, therefore guaranteeing their relevance in current defense activities. The strategic and operational core of the barracks is evidence of the dedication of the federal army to preserve its historical relevance.
