Leoben has close links to Graz and Wiener Neustadt and has a wonderful location in the stunning countryside of the Styrian region.
Leoben is a Styrian city in central Austria, located on the Mur river. With a population of about 25,000 it is a local industrial centre and hosts the University of Leoben, which specialises in mining.
Main sights
The Peace of Leoben, an armistice between Austria and France preliminary to the Treaty of Campo Formio, was signed in Leoben in 1797. The Justice Centre Leoben is a prison designed by architect Josef Hohensinn, which was completed in 2005.
Past and present
Leoben is known as the “Gateway to the Styrian Iron Road”. The 13th century Main Square features the Hackl House with its baroque façade in red and white. The City Parish Church, St. Francis Xavier, built in 1660, comprises a 17th-century interior and is considered one of the most significant Jesuit churches in Austria. Also of note is the Art Nouveau Lutheran church which is at the upper end of the Franz-Josef-Strasse.
The oldest convent for women in Styria is Göss Abbey. Founded in 1020 A.D., it was run by the Benedictine nuns until it was dissolved in 1782. The early Romanesque crypt is of note as is the ‘Gösser Ornat,’ which can be seen in Vienna (Museum for Applied Arts). Next to the convent is the Gösser brewery, which includes a brewery museum.
Current cultural events include classical concerts in the Congress Leoben, productions of the Summer Philharmonic in July and performances of local and guest productions in the oldest operating theatre in Austria.
Leoben is located on the river Mur in the central Styrian region of Austria. Sometimes known as the gateway to the Styrian Iron Road, the town has had much involvement in the mining industry.
Tradition & Avantgarde
Leoben was shaped for centuries by the trade in iron and the research in raw materials carried out at the University of Leoben, which was founded in 1840. Mining traditions still play an important part in city life. Examples are the Miners’ Parade, the St. Barbara Celebration or the Ledersprung (“Leather Jump”). The Gösser Kirtag, a street fair, takes place on the Thursday after the first Sunday in October and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Leoben.
Other components of the vigorous cultural life of the “Mining City” include classical concerts in the Congress Leoben, productions of the Summer Philharmonics in July and performances of locally created and guest productions in the oldest still-running theatre in Austria.
Goesser Braumuseum
The Goesser beer in Leoben is world renowned and part of the Heineken Company and one of Austria’s favourite beers.
The Braumuseum provides you with a wonderful insight into the world of beer brewing and the craft that goes into its production.
You will find a host of interesting facts and over a thousand years of brewing history condensed into a spectacular tour, and of course be treated to a few well deserved samples at the end.
If you are a beer lover, or just appreciate the history of how something is made and has evolved over time, the Goesser museum is a must see place in Leoben.
Massenburg
The Massenburg is the ruins of the old dimensions castle which is situated on top of a hill just a short walk from Leoben town centre.
The castle dates back to the 13th century and was originally built as a wooden hillfort but then transformed into a stone castle in later centuries.
As the castle fell into decline and disrepair, the ruins became overgrown but were unearthed again in the year 2000 and now are fully visible.
You can enjoy the short walk up the hillside and admire the castle ruins; furthermore the hill gives you fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and of Leoben.
Schwammerlturm
The Schwammerlturm is a medieval tower that has stood for countless years and is one of the most famous buildings in Leoben.
The tower is located in the town centre, but near the river Mur and spans the Homanngasse road that leads onto the Hauptplatz.
The decoration of this ornate tower is brilliant with white walls and red corner bricks plus a large emblem of Austrian and Leoben, and a dome shaped top tower that stands out.
There is an elevator inside the tower that allows you to ascend to the top and provides fantastic views of the old town centre – A must do when in Leoben.
Lavanttal Alps
This stunning mountain range is part of the Central Eastern Alps that span both Austria and Slovenia and lie between the river Mur and Drava.
The mountains lie around 1 hour 45 minutes from Leoben so a car is needed, however the drive in itself will be well worthwhile as you will pass through some wonderful scenery.
At 2000m on their highest point, the Lavanttal Alps are impressive and there is an extensive network of hiking and climbing trails spread throughout the range.
The tracks create a large area of hiking opportunities that envelop Leoben, Graz and Klagenfurt.
