History Of Steyr
The area was settled by the Celts around 600 BC, and the name of the Stiria River has its roots in Celtic origins. Noricum, their kingdom, was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 15 BC. There is a possibility that a settlement called Gesodunum was located in the Steyr region, as noted by the ancient geographer Claudius Ptolemy. The Roman “Iron Road” extended from the Erzberg mine along the Enns River to the castra of Lauriacum on the Danube.
The area saw a change in population during the 6th century when Slavic settlers arrived. However, they were later defeated by Duke Tassilo III of Bavaria. As a result, the land was granted to nearby Kremsmünster Abbey in 777 and resettled with Bavarians. In the midst of the Hungarian invasions of Europe, the local Traungau counts took action and built a fortress above the Steyr River. This fortress was first mentioned as Styraburg in a 980 deed. The powerful Otakar dynasty ruled over 1055 Steyr Castle in the Bavarian Traungau, along with the neighboring “March of Styria.” The Otokars established their dominance over the iron mining operations at Erzberg and transformed their residence in Steyr into a hub of medieval courtly culture and Middle High German poetry.
Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted Margrave Ottokar IV the title of Duke of Styria in 1180. Unfortunately, the line came to an end when Ottokar IV passed away in 1192. As per the 1186 Georgenberg Pact, his Styrian lands were inherited by the Babenberg dukes of Austria.
Steyr, once a bustling ducal residence, eventually saw a decline in its importance. However, it continued to thrive as a prominent hub for ironworking. The Babenberg rulers played a significant role in fostering the economic growth of the region, particularly in the fields of blacksmithing, with a focus on knife making and armament industry. Following the downfall of the Babenbergs in 1246, Steyr, along with the Duchy of Austria, came under the control of Ottokar II of Bohemia. However, it was later seized by Rudolf I of Germany, a Habsburg king, after his triumph in the Battle on the Marchfeld in 1278. The town privileges and market rights were confirmed by Rudolf’s son King Albert I in 1287. The citizens of Steyr greatly benefited from the town’s advantageous position within the iron trade throughout the Holy Roman Empire, particularly with the Republic of Venice.
During the 13th and 14th century, Steyr played a significant role in the Christian Waldensian movement and became a site of inquisitorial persecutions led by the Catholic cleric Petrus Zwicker (d. 1403). The Protestant Reformation rapidly gained popularity among the citizens around 1525, facing strong opposition from the Habsburg rulers during the Counter-Reformation.
The economic situation took a turn for the worse due to the decline of the iron trade during the Thirty Years’ War. Additionally, Upper Austria faced further challenges when it was pawned to Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria, and experienced the Peasants’ War in 1626. The medieval Styraburg was destroyed by a fire in 1727 and was later replaced by the Baroque Lamberg Castle. Steyr’s resurgence started during the late 18th century under the influence of Josephinism and continued during the period of industrialization. Steyr experienced multiple occupations by French troops during the Napoleonic Wars. The Armistice of Steyr was signed there on 25 December 1800.
The armory at Steyr was founded by Leopold Werndl in 1830. His sons, Josef and Franz Werndl, later transformed it into a stock company named the Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (ÖWG) in 1864. By 1869, the ÖWG became well-established. The Steyr automobile branch was incorporated into Steyr-Werke AG in 1926, which later became a prominent industrial conglomerate through its merger with Austro-Daimler and Puch in 1934. Unfortunately, the Steyr industry was severely impacted by the 1929 Great Depression.
During the Austrian Civil War in 1934, the town became a site of conflict between Social Democratic Schutzbund paramilitary forces and Christian Social Heimwehr militias. This war eventually led to the establishment of the fascist corporate Federal State of Austria, which governed the country until its annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938.
The armament industry was integrated into the extensive Reichswerke Hermann Göring conglomerate by the Nazi authorities. This conglomerate also oversaw the establishment of the Steyr-Münichholz subcamp, which utilized forced laborers and was connected to the Mauthausen network. Steyr, a significant producer of arms and military vehicles during World War II, found itself in the crosshairs of Allied bombing raids aimed at disabling its factories. During the “Big Week” in February 1944, the town sustained significant damage from two major attacks by the US Fifteenth Air Force. Despite the destruction, the factories managed to remain operational until the war’s conclusion.
The city became a significant meeting point on 9 May 1945, as units of the 5th Guards Airborne of the Red Army and black troops of the US 761st Tank Battalion, along with the 71st Infantry Division, made contact with each other on the bridge over the Enns River. The U.S. Army occupied Steyr, while the Soviet Army moved east beyond the demarcation line of Lower Austria province. The troops stayed in place until 1955, when Austria formally declared its neutrality through the Austrian State Treaty.
Today, Steyr is a vibrant and appealing city that seamlessly blends its rich history with its modern accomplishments. With a population of about 58,000, it is the 12th most populated town and the 3rd largest city in Upper Austria. It remains a significant hub for industry and commerce, boasting a diverse and forward-thinking economy. The destination is highly sought after by tourists due to its wide range of cultural and natural attractions, including museums, festivals, parks, and sports facilities. Steyr takes great pride in its rich history, vibrant present, and promising future, working diligently to safeguard and enrich its unique character and high standard of living.125
