Linz, Danube - PICTURES

The Lentos Museum of Modern Art Linz with its international collection is considered one of the most important museums of modern art in Austria. The permanent exhibition comprises masterpieces by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Keith Haring and other important painters of the 19th and 20th centuries.´Modern art is mainly presented in changing exhibitions.
The 130 meter long building by the Zurich architects Weber & Hofer attracts attention by its clear design and provides 8000 m² of spacious exhibition area, lit by daylight. The Lentos Museum of Modern Art, inaugurated in 2003, is also at night an outstanding part of the cultural mile along the Danube with its alternating illuminated facade in red and blue.

Homepage: www.lentos.at

The Christkindl market at the main square and the Christmas market at the Volksgarten open their gates in the middel of November. Further markets, the traditional candle dipping and advent concerts get you in the proper mood for Christmas. The inner city turns into a crib city from the first Advent weekend. Gorgeous cribs can be admired in the shopping windows, public buildings, churches and museums.

Homepage: www.advent.linz.at

The Brucknerhaus Concert Hall, built by the Finn Heikki Siren in 1974, is not only an impressive example of modern architecture, but above all the hub of cultural and social life in Linz.

The event center, which upon its opening was nicknamed the "Linzer Torte" "in steel and glass", has become a globally renowned concert venue. Karajan, Bernstein, Böhm, Maazel, Abbado and many other great conductors have performed here with the world´s leading orchestras.

Apart from the Bruckner Festival, the programm throughout the year offers a wide range of delights for music lovers.

Homepage: www.brucknerhaus.at

From September 13 to October 5, 2009 the capital city of Linz hosts the magnificent Bruckner Festival, which will attract as much as 100,000 people from near and far! During these 3 weeks you get the chance to experience many highlights, such as international orchestras and conductors.

And don´t miss the Linzer Klangwolken 2009:
- Visualized Cloud of Sounds (firework display with laser show and music) on September 5
- Classical Cloud of Sounds (Official Opening of the Bruckner Festival) on September 13

Homepage: www.brucknerfest.at

More than 500 clowns, artists, jugglers and musicians from all over the world show finest performances on the streets of the inner city.

July 23 to July 25, 2009

Homepage: www.pflasterspektakel.at

The unique glass construction of the roof creates the illusion of being outdoors. Fairs, exhibitions, product presentations, balls, banquets, TV shows as well as seminars and conventions are held in this multi-functional convention center. The great architecture of the Design Center and the technical refinements guarantee that everybody feels comfortable, no matter if they attend a seminar or visit an exhibition.

Homepage Design Center Linz: www.design-center.at

A ship tour is always a special adventure!

The cultural town Linz~Danube is the ideal starting point for a ship tour. Everyone will find his individual ship adventure in the large variety of cruise line offers. Whether you are looking for a round trip, a scheduled tour or a cruise for a special occasion on the Danube, your captain and his crew is already waiting for you on board of the ship.

Experience the Danube - four Danube shipping companies offer opportunities to become acquainted with Linz and its surrounding region by water.

Donauschifffahrt Wurm + Köck:
www.donauschiffahrt.de

Donauschifffahrt Schaurecker:
www.donauschifffahrt.at

Raddampfer Schönbrunn:
www.oegeg.at

MS Kaiserin Elisabeth:
www.donauschiff.com

The old quarter, where you can see many a great and impressive buildings, is really worth a visit! Most of the buildings are still in their original state and others have been renovated with great care.
The main square was built in the 13th century and it is with its 13,000 m² the largest town square of Austria. In 1521, on the occasion of the marriage of Archduke Ferdinand with Anna of Hungary, the famous "Losenstein Tournament" took place on this fantastic square. A walk through the narrow lanes around the main square is a worthwhile experience. A few years back, in 1994, as much as 12,000 visitors opened the annual Ars Electronica Festival with an interactive computer game.

In the center of the main square - one of the most beautiful squares of Austria - you can see the 20m-high Baroque Trinity column (completed in 1723), which is surrounded by statues of the patron saints Sebastian, Florian and Karl Borromaeus. The column, made of Salzburg marble, was designed by Sebastian Stumpfegger according to a model by Antonio Beducci. This column was built in order to express the gratitude Landstaende, the emperor and the citizens of Linz for having been saved from war (1704), fire (1712) and the plague (1713). On three plaques you can read about the dedication of the column to the Holy Trinity.

Experience culture & enjoy Linz. See, hear, touch, smell and taste!
A true feast for the senses is waiting for you and you are well advised to leave ample time for fine food and drink during your stay here.
Enjoy wining and dining in the gourmet restaurants and traditional inns of Linz. You definitely have to savor "Linzer Torte" (picture), which is one of the best cakes in the world. You can also have a glass or two of fine cider made of fermented apples and pears. Even sour things can make life sweet!
Linz - for guests with a discriminating taste!