We start at the main square at the
A. Congress Leoben/Old Town Hall
The most important historical building on the main square is the Old Town Hall, which is attested at this place since 1485. In the 17th century it was enlarged by neighboring buildings, although the original five-sided tower had already been erected in 1568. The coat of arms frieze is of historical importance. It was created on the occasion of a visit by Emperor Charles VI in 1728. The coats of arms represent the Habsburg crown lands and were supplemented in 1935 by the town coats of arms from the former Lower Styria. The building served the municipal administration without interruption until 1973. In 1990, the congress center with several halls and seminar rooms was built here. For information on Congress Leoben, call +43 (0)3842 4062-324 and 42581 - www. congressleoben.at
B. Main square with miner's fountain, plague column, angel's fountain
Ring walls, city gates, four corner fortifications (former Dominikanerkloser, Timmersdorfer, Krottendorfer and Saurauer tower) and some wall towers formed the fortification of the city in the Middle Ages and in the early modern times, which fell victim to the modernization of the 19th century except for a corner and a gate tower and small wall remains. The elongated main square has been the heart of Leoben since the settlement of the Mur loop. Today, the main square, which was redesigned in 1997 (Prof. B. Podrecca), is free of traffic, invites you to stroll and linger and is one of the most beautiful squares in Austria. The Trinity Column (Plague Column) was erected on the main square in 1717 by the townspeople in gratitude for the extinction of the plague. Its sculptural decoration is by Johann Jakob Schoy. At the northern end of the square is the Angel Fountain (1794), above the basin of which rises a classicist sculpture of an angel holding a shield with the Leoben city coat of arms. At the southern end of the square stands the Miner's Fountain (1799) with the depiction of a miner in Maximilian costume. Here, as a custom, the "kiss of the statue" takes place every year during the "philistration" of the newly graduated miners. The main square is ideal as a backdrop for large events and offers a wonderful oasis of relaxation with its many pub gardens.
C. Hacklhaus
The Hacklhaus on the southwest side of the main square (which is named after its owner in the 18th century - the tradesman Georg Hackl) features the most important baroque facade in the city. The building with three crested gables is decorated with rich stucco from around 1660. The figural program is formed by allegorical representations of the four seasons, warriors and garlands as well as Christian virtues (faith, hope and love) and the coat of arms of Adam Arnold von Gruebegg (also a former owner of the house). In the staircase of the house, ceiling paintings by the famous Upper Styrian artist Johann Max Tendler have been preserved. They show symbolic representations of mining, metallurgy, hunting and forestry.
D. Inn "Schwarzer Adler" or "Arkadenhof
Also on the main square is the historical inn "Schwarzer Adler". The building can be dated back to the 16th century, originally served as a residential houseand was owned by pig iron layers and iron merchants for generations. Particularly impressive is the Renaissance portal restored in 2011 with two relief portraits of former owners and their family coats of arms - Donnersperger and Trapp.
E. Former Dominican Monastery - now Leoben City Shopping (LCS)
The Dominican monastery dates back to the time after 1280, when it was settled by monks from Friesach in Carinthia. Due to its strategically favorable location, the large building complex was also the northeastern bulwark of the city fortifications. The former mendicant church and the monastery were abolished in 1811. In the period that followed, the Gothic church was used as a salt magazine. In 1853-55 the building was rebuilt into a court, prison, tax and district office. The court and the prison were housed here until 2005, when they moved to the new Leoben Justice Center. Of the former monastery, the church with a small side chapel, the entire Gothic cloister and the Baroque south wing have survived to this day. These historically important and listed parts of the building have now been very stylishly and modernly integrated into the newly created shopping center (Leoben City Shopping). The most beautiful interior impression of the former monastery is conveyed by the Gothic arcades in the cloister courtyard, which is now used for gastronomy. In the course of reconstruction work, extensive fresco remains were discovered here and restored. On the north façade of the cloister there is a sundial on the upper floor, surrounded by so-called monthly pictures. The preserved Leoben depictions show peasant activities in the course of the year, beginning on the upper right with a lady warming herself at a fire, below that we find a farmer plowing and in the corner a willow is being cut. On the left, two people in a bathtub - probably representing the merry month of May. To the right of the late Gothic stone box window, above older ornaments, a farmer's wife with a rake cutting hay and a farmer cutting grain are still visible. At ground level, in the passage below, there is a medallion with poorly recognizable pictorial content, probably depicting Dominican and Marian symbols. Also opposite, on the north wall of the former church, a Gothic Madonna with two praying monks was uncovered and restored. From the second floor above, there is not only a beautiful view of the courtyard, but also access to the baroque south wing with architectural paintings depicting a pillar division.
F. Municipal Theater
Leoben has the oldest "bourgeois" theater in Austria, which has been in operation since its founding. The Mariazell cast-iron sculptures attached to the portal - a miner and a metallurgist - dating from around 1850 refer to the foundations of bourgeois prosperity in the region in the early 19th century. The auditorium of the two-story, neoclassical building was renovated in 1965, abandoning older evolved decorative elements, so that today only the stucco ceiling recalls the historicist period. The theater has 283 seats and 105 standing places. For tickets and information on the theater program, call +43 (0)3842 40 62-302.
G. Freimannsturm
Next to the Schwammerlturm, the Freimannsturm is the second respectable tower of the former city fortification that has survived. With its mighty tent roof, the tooth-cut frieze and the keyhole embrasures, it has preserved the fortified character of the late Middle Ages shortly after the Turkish invasion of 1480. The name refers to the executioner or "Freimann" who lived here in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
H. City Park at the Glacis
The original undeveloped area in front of the city wall became the beautiful park "Am Glacis". The park "Am Glacis" offers with its pavilion a popular stage for classical, but also for rock and pop concerts. A children's playground with a water pump, sand oasis, toddler area also allows children to spend relaxing hours.
I. Eggenwald's summer house
At the southern end of the city park "Am Glacis" is the former Eggenwald's Garden House, a classicist one-story building with a parapet gable and double flight of steps, where on April 18, 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte - the future Emperor Napoleon - and Austrian diplomats negotiated and signed the famous Leoben Pre-Peace.
J. St. Jacob (St. Jacob's Church)
The church of St. Jacob was first mentioned in documents in 1188. Located at the foot of the Massenberg, it formed the center of the first settlement in this area. Even after the town was relocated to the Mur Loop, St. Jacob's remained the town's parish church until 1811. Particularly impressive is the baroque interior with the magnificent pulpit by the baroque sculptor Matthäus Krenauer, which was created around 1740. The church is still surrounded by a cemetery, which was used as the town's cemetery until 1887 and whose gravestones are particularly fine examples of final resting places of wealthy Leoben citizens.
K. Massenburg
Directly from the Jakobikirche via the Dirnböckweg and the Massenbergstraße you can reach the inner courtyard of the Massenburg ruin after a short walk through the former gate building. An imposing gate building (Schüttkasten) and remains of buildings worth seeing have been preserved to this day and are also used for music and theater events. A viewing platform offers a magnificent view of Leoben and the surrounding mountains. The name "Massenburg" is first documented for the 12th century. An extensive expansion took place around the middle of the 16th century. In 1820 the castle was completely demolished except for the Schüttkasten and some wall remains. In 1998/1999, remains of the ruins were uncovered and the remains of the castle underwent a general renovation. Besides, the Massenburg is the starting point for various hiking tours.
L. Monastery Church of St. Alphonsus
The church of St. Alphonsus of Liguori dates back to one of the more recent church foundations in Leoben. It was not until 1837 that the first Redemptorist Fathers settled in the city of Leoben. In 1846 the foundation stone for the church in Gösserstraße was laid. But it was not completed until 1860, after the Redemptorists had fled the city during the revolution of 1848. The neo-Romanesque building towers high above the banks of the Mur, and the single-towered west façade is particularly imposing. The interior of the church is dominated by wall paintings. The church was built according to the plans of the Viennese architect Alois Haberkalt and the Judenburg master builder Ciaro. The architecture is quite clearly Neo-Romantic and Neo-Renaissance, while the interior decoration is strongly Neo-Gothic. The high altar (1860) comes from the church Maria am Gestade in Vienna. Behind the high altar the whole apse is gilded and in its center the church patron, St. Alphonsus is painted. The artist Professor Scholz literally lets the visitor have a look into the sky. One sees the Savior Jesus Christ, next to him his mother Mary and St. Joseph, below St. Alphonsus in his transfiguration.The Marian altar (the left front side altar) with the representation of the "Immaculate Virgin Mary", was made by the brothers Hans and Leopold Titl. On the altar there are the statues of St. Anne and St. Joachim and a very beautiful picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.The altar of St. Joseph holds the statues of St. Peter and St. Paul and a faithful copy of the world-famous image of the Mother of Perpetual Help. Both the painting of St. Joseph and the paintings of St. Michael and St. Theresa (in the transept), as well as the painting of the Sorrowful Mother of God in the chapel at the entrance to the church, were made by the brothers Hans and Leopold Titl. The famous artist Josef Kastner, Vienna, painted the large altarpiece of the altar of St. Clement (1888) and the altar of St. Gerhard (1893). Freely accessible during the day. Guided tours: Mr. Mlinar at Tel.: +43 (0)664 40 06 127
M. Maria am Waasen" Parish Church
The parish church Maria am Waasen is the historical center of the suburb. According to an unconfirmed tradition, a chapel was already built here around 1149. In 1160 a priest is mentioned for the first time and the church is documented without any doubt. Many historians consider it to be the oldest church in Leoben, which was built "on the green meadow" (i.e. on the Waasen). The parish church underwent numerous changes as a building. The choir (around 1400) and nave (around 1483) are essentially Gothic. The well-proportioned organ loft, entirely carved in house stone, bears the date 1487. The two-bay choir towers considerably above the nave. The late Gothic reticulated ribbed vaulting of the nave has heavily distressed paintings of vines and flowers and angels from the late Gothic period. The baptistery and workday chapel to the north of the choir cannot be precisely determined architecturally, but could be the remains of a medieval predecessor of the present Gothic church. The recently examined fresco remains already point to the 16th century. However, the sacristy south of the choir and its adjoining rooms were built at the same time as the choir around 1400. The exterior of the church is essentially determined by the regotization by the Graz architect Hans Pascher from 1900 - 1901. The greatest treasures of the Waasenkirche are the stained glass windows from the period around 1410 - 1420. The choir windows impress with their variety of depictions and attention to detail. The southern windows of the choir and nave were made only in the 19th century. The high altar in its present conception is a work of the 19th century, neo-Gothic style, built by regional craftsmen. Among the paintings, the most historically significant is the Plague Votive, a large oil painting on the north wall of the nave from 1716. Two baroque copies of famous foreign miraculous images also arouse interest.
N. Schwammerlturm
Today the Mautturm is the only preserved town gate of Leoben and the town's landmark. Built in the 13th century, at the time of the new foundation in the loop of the Mura, it was renovated in 1616 by Peter Carlone and after severe damage by an earthquake in 1794, it was provided with the mushroom-shaped roof, from which its popular name "Schwammerlturm" (Mushroom Tower) originates. The inscription with historical references was added in 1845 by the Upper Styrian painter Johann Max Tendler during a restoration, the addition was written later by Josef Freudenthaler with a reference to the recent history. Today the Schwammerlturm is again accessible and offers a wonderful view of the city and its surroundings from the cafe at the top of the tower. On the side of the river Murs, the tower is still adorned with a saying by the painter Johann Max Tendler:
1280 I rose there,
1794 I was close to the fall.
In any case, I am very old and older than all of you.
I have seen many enemies pass through me, and yet I have always remained upright.
Saw the Franks four times, but always firmly the imperial throne.
Saw warriors recently from East and West, remained firm even in these storms.
O. New City Hall / Oppenheim sculpture
After demolition of the west wing of the old Jesuit College, the new City Hall was built from 1964 to 1973 along the Mur according to plans by architect Kurt Thornton, whose building mass is determined by aluminum facade and glass. Next to the city quay, on the forecourt of the new Leoben City Hall, stands the approximately 8-meter-high Oppenheim sculpture with the significant title "Double Wedding" (Doppelhochzeit) from the series "Engagement" (Engagement).
P. Museum Center and Art Gallery
The MuseumsCenter represents the last part of the former sovereign castle - the Jesuit College. The "MuseumsCenter Leoben" was reopened in December 2004 as one of the most modern museums in Styria and shows the history of Leoben and the region in its focal points under the motto: "1,100 years of history on 1,200 m² of exhibition space." Precious objects are presented in an interesting design with the support of modern media.Kunsthalle Leoben has been the venue of internationally important cultural-historical exhibitions since 1998, which have been developed in cooperation with museums such as the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Louvre, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna or the Reiss-Engelhorn Museums in Mannheim. Since that time, the Kunsthalle and MuseumsCenter have been used as a cultural center for exhibitions, readings, lectures, seminars, etc. Opening hours of the MuseumsCenter: Tue to Sat from 10:00 - 17:00, Sun and Mon closed, guided tours for groups available by appointment! For more information call +43 (0)3842 40 62 - 408 or -442.
Q. City Parish Church of St. Xaver
Driving towards Leoben, you can see the large former Jesuit church with its white towers towering over the city from a distance. The Leoben parish church of St. Xaver dominates the entire old town of Leoben in its imposing early Baroque form in height and extent. A continuous restoration since 1993 saved the magnificent church interior with its unique furnishings. The church has been the seat of a parish only since 1811 and is still the only one in the area of the historic old town. It was built according to the plans of the Italian master builder Peter Franz Carlone between 1660 and 1665 as a church of the Leoben Jesuits (college since 1613). The church impresses especially by its simple, strictly structured facade with the two mighty west towers. Influences of other Jesuit buildings such as the Jesuit churches in Steyr or Vienna can be recognized. In stark contrast to the austere facade is the magnificently decorated interior with the high altar from 1670 and six side chapels with magnificent altars. The larger-than-life apostle figures on the richly carved consoles by Ägydius Meixner have also been preserved. The rest of the interior furnishings also largely correspond to the original 17th century furnishings. A Romanesque crucifix from the 13th century and Renaissance tombstones from the 16th century have been preserved from earlier periods.
R. Faun playing the flute
The faun or satyr is the god of free nature, the protector of farmers and shepherds, their cattle and fields. He provides for the fertility of man and beast and is said to watch over the fields of grain and favor their growth. In both Roman and Greek mythology, the horned faun (Pan) is described as a shawm or flute-playing forest spirit, a hybrid half-man, half-goat, usually depicted with a human torso and buck feet, as well as a tail. The bronze sculpture by J. Martin Karlik from St. Marein has adorned the square in front of the wedding hall since 2008.
S. Peter Tunner Park
The Peter Tunner Monument, created in 1904 by the Austrian sculptor Karl Hackstock, gives its name to the Peter Tunner Park. There is also a bust of Archduke Johann - created in 1982 by the Styrian sculptor Erwin Huber - and a bust of the important Styrian poet Peter Rosegger - created in 1993 in memory of his 150th birthday. A piece of the old city wall can also still be seen here. At one end of the park is the Emperor's Oak, planted on the occasion of the government's anniversary in 1898.
T. Gärner Park
Originally the "Kaiser Franz Josef Park", it is popularly known as Gärner Park because of its location near the former Hotel Gärner. The completion of the first phase of construction ds Josefee culminated in the opening of the park in 1892. In 1947, the sculptor Prof. Wilhelm Gösser created a memorial in memory of the political victims of the years 1938 to 1945. This was added in 2008 during the redesign of the park.
U. University of Leoben
The University of Leoben emerged from the k.u.k. Montanlehranstalt, which was founded by Archduke Johann in 1835 and opened in Vordernberg in 1840. In 1849 it was moved to Leoben and operated as a Montanlehranstalt. Under its first director, Professor Peter Tunner, the great mining scientist and founder of the Vordernberg Mining Institute, it was elevated to the rank of a mining academy in 1861, and in 1904, as a mining university, it was placed on an equal footing with the technical universities and granted the right to award academic degrees. Since 1975 it has been called the University of Mining and has become one of the best-known specialized universities internationally, with institutes frequented by students from all over the world. Meanwhile, 10 different fields of study are offered: from raw materials to products to recycling. The symbiosis of basic research and applicability for industry is unique. The university is constantly expanding and has an excellent international reputation due to its exceptional research results.
V. Protestant Gustav Adolf Church
The Protestant population of Leoben did not receive its own church until 1908/09. As the northern end of Franz-Josef-Strasse, the mighty tower of the Gustav Adolf Church is also clearly visible from Leoben's main square. The church, which belongs to the late historicism, was built according to a design of the Viennese architect Clemens Kattner, which was realized by the Leoben architect Titus Thunhardt. The interior of the church is characterized mainly by the simple design with beautifully executed stained glass windows. They are unique in the Protestant churches of Austria.
X. Asia Spa
In 2008 the unique wellness and recreation center was opened in Leoben Au. A huge Chinese archway - a gift from the twin city of Xuzhou - sets the mood for the Asian atmosphere. Embedded in the green oasis of the Mur River and yet in the heart of the city, a water experience world was created. The intensive study of Chinese tradition and architecture - according to the principles of Feng Shui - as well as the cooperation with Chinese experts have made it possible to bring together Chinese and European architecture. A total of 2,515 m² of water areas and 10,000 m² of sunbathing areas in the outdoor area are available to visitors, as well as numerous indoor pools and a wide variety of saunas with very special infusions. In 2015, the Asia Spa was named the best urban spa in Europe. www.asiaspa.at