Geography Of St. Pölten
St. Pölten lies along the Traisen river, a tributary of the Danube, between the foothills of the Alps and the Wachau valley. It is about 65 kilometers west of Vienna, the national capital, and 320 kilometers east of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.
St. Pölten is situated at an elevation of 267 meters above sea level. It has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 9.4°C, with the warmest month being July (19.4°C) and the coldest month being January (-0.7°C). The average annual precipitation is 698 millimeters, with the wettest month being June (88 millimeters) and the driest month being February (38 millimeters).
St. Pölten is bordered by the following districts of Lower Austria: Melk to the west, Lilienfeld to the south, St. Pölten-Land to the east, and Tulln to the northeast. It is also close to the state borders of Upper Austria to the west and Styria to the south.
St. Pölten is a major transport hub in Lower Austria. It is connected by the Western Motorway (A1) and the Kremser Speedway (S33) to other parts of the country. It is also served by the West railway, the Leobersdorfer Railway, the Mariazellerbahn, and the regional railways to Tulln and Krems. The city has a main railway station (St. Pölten Hauptbahnhof) and several bus lines. The nearest international airport is Vienna International Airport, about 80 kilometers away.
St Pölten is divided into the following subdistricts: Altmannsdorf, Dörfl at Ochsenburg, Eggendorf, Ganzendorf, Hafing, Harland, Hart, Kreisberg, Matzersdorf, Mühlgang, Nadelbach, Oberradlberg, Oberwagram, Oberzwischenbrunn, Ochsenburg, Pengersdorf, Pottenbrunn, Pummersdorf, Ragelsdorf, Ratzersdorf at the Traisen, Reitzersdorf, Schwadorf, Spratzern, St Georgen on the Steinfelde, St Pölten, Stattersdorf, Steinfeld, Teufelhof, Unterradlberg, Unterwagram, Unterzwischenbrunn, Viehofen, Völtendorf, Waitzendorf, Wasserburg, Weitern, Wetzersdorf, Windpassing, Witzendorf, Wolfenberg, Wörth and Zwerndorf.
Terrain and Topography
St. Pölten is located in a basin surrounded by hills and mountains. The highest point in the city is the Kummerberg (584 meters), which is part of the Dunkelsteinerwald, a forested range in the south. The lowest point is the Traisen river (240 meters), which flows through the city from south to north. The city has a diverse landscape, with urban areas, agricultural lands, forests, parks, and gardens.
Mountain Ranges
The main mountain ranges near St. Pölten are the Alps, the Dunkelsteinerwald, and the Wienerwald. The Alps are a vast system of high peaks, valleys, and glaciers that stretch across Central Europe. The Dunkelsteinerwald is a low mountain range that separates the Danube valley from the Alpine foothills. The Wienerwald is a wooded range that forms the eastern border of the Alps and the western edge of the Vienna Basin.
Some of the key mountain peaks near St. Pölten are:
- Schneeberg (2076 meters): The highest mountain in Lower Austria and the easternmost peak of the Alps. It is visible from St. Pölten on clear days and is a popular destination for hiking and skiing.
- Ötscher (1893 meters): The highest mountain in the Mostviertel and the second highest in Lower Austria. It is part of the Ybbstal Alps and has a distinctive shape that resembles a sleeping man.
- Jauerling (960 meters): The highest peak of the Dunkelsteinerwald and the highest point in the Wachau. It offers a panoramic view of the Danube valley and the surrounding hills.
- Anninger (675 meters): The highest peak of the Wienerwald and the closest mountain to Vienna. It is a popular recreation area for hikers, bikers, and paragliders.
Notable Summits
Some of the notable summits near St. Pölten are:
- Gaisberg (486 meters): A hill in the north of the city that hosts a transmitter tower and a lookout point. It is also a venue for cultural events and sports activities.
- Sonntagberg (523 meters): A hill in the west of the city that is home to a famous pilgrimage church and a monastery. It is also a scenic spot for walking and cycling.
- Hegerberg (453 meters): A hill in the south of the city that is part of the Traisental wine region. It has a vineyard and a restaurant on its slope.
- Harzberg (448 meters): A hill in the east of the city that is part of the Pielachtal valley. It has a castle ruin and a nature reserve on its top.
Valleys and Basins
St. Pölten is located in the St. Pölten Basin, a depression in the Alpine foreland that is filled with sediments from the Traisen river and its tributaries. The basin is bordered by the Dunkelsteinerwald to the south, the Wienerwald to the east, the Tullnerfeld to the north, and the Melker Pforte to the west. The basin has a mild climate and fertile soil, making it suitable for agriculture and viticulture.
Some of the valleys near St. Pölten are:
- Wachau: A picturesque valley along the Danube river that is famous for its cultural and natural heritage. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wine-growing region.
- Pielachtal: A valley along the Pielach river that is known for its rural charm and its specialty product, the Dirndl (a type of cherry).
- Traisental: A valley along the Traisen river that is one of the youngest and smallest wine regions in Austria. It produces mainly white wines from the Grüner Veltliner grape variety.
- Gölsental: A valley along the Gölsen river that is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and fishing. It has several castles, churches, and museums along its course.
Bodies of Water
Lakes
St. Pölten has several lakes within and near its territory, such as:
- Viehofner Seen: A pair of lakes in the north of the city that were formed by gravel extraction. They are used for recreation, fishing, and nature conservation. They have a combined area of 32 hectares and a maximum depth of 15 meters.
- Ratzersdorfer See: A lake in the northeast of the city that was also created by gravel extraction. It is used for swimming, boating, and water sports. It has an area of 24 hectares and a maximum depth of 12 meters.
- Erlaufsee: A natural lake in the south of the city that is part of the Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park. It is a glacial lake that is fed by the Erlauf river. It is used for swimming, diving, and fishing. It has an area of 14 hectares and a maximum depth of 38 meters.
Rivers and Streams
St. Pölten is crossed by several rivers and streams that drain into the Danube basin. The main river is the Traisen, which originates in the Alps and flows through the city from south to north. The Traisen has several tributaries, such as the Pielach, the Perschling, the Sierning, and the Viehofner Bach. The rivers and streams provide water, energy, and recreation for the city and its surroundings.
Some of the rivers and streams near St. Pölten are:
- Danube: The second-longest river in Europe and the most important waterway in Austria. It flows from west to east, forming the northern border of Lower Austria. It passes through the Wachau valley, where it is joined by the Melk and the Krems rivers. It is used for navigation, trade, tourism, and hydroelectric power.
- Erlauf: A river that rises in the Ötscher mountain and flows through the Erlaufsee lake. It joins the Ybbs river near Pöchlarn and then the Danube near Melk. It is used for fishing, rafting, and kayaking.
- Gölsen: A river that originates in the Wienerwald and flows through the Gölsental valley. It joins the Traisen river near Wilhelmsburg and then the Danube near Traismauer. It is used for irrigation, fishing, and swimming.
Scenic Views
St. Pölten offers many scenic views of its surroundings, such as:
- Klangturm: A tower in the city center that is part of the government district. It is a landmark of the city and a symbol of its modern architecture. It has a height of 57 meters and a viewing platform at 35 meters. It offers a panoramic view of the city and the mountains.
- Domplatz: A square in the old town that is the historical and cultural heart of the city. It is surrounded by the cathedral, the town hall, the bishop’s palace, and other historic buildings. It offers a view of the city’s history and heritage.
- Wachau Viewpoint: A viewpoint on the Jauerling that is accessible by car or by hiking. It offers a stunning view of the Wachau valley, the Danube river, and the vineyards. It is one of the best places to enjoy the sunset and the scenery.
