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The Alpine Foothills - Where Corn and Wine Farmers Live
The Austrian Alps have two foothill ranges: the more important northern lowlands and hill country are located between the Alp’s northern edge and the Bohemian Mass and extend from the Flachgau in Salzburg through the Upper Austrian Innviertel, the Traunviertel and the Hausruckviertel, and the Lower Austrian Mostviertel to Tullnerfeld. The south-eastern foothills comprise parts of South Burgenland’s hill country and the East Styrian hill country.
During geological times up to 5,000 meters of sediments consisting of clay, sand and debris settled in the Alpine foothills and created expansive gravel plates such as the Traun-Enns-Platte. Today the Alpine foothills, which were shaped during the Ice Age, consist of fertile arable lands and grasslands which, especially in the North, provide a living for the many corn and wine farmers.
The Northern Foothills
The Upper Austrian Traunviertel, the catchment basin of the river Traun, is dotted with large “Vierkanthöfe”, farmhouses consisting of four buildings that are grouped around an inner farmyard; “Vierseithöfe” are farmhouses where the square is enclosed by buildings plus a wall or a fence. “Vierseithöfe” are mainly found in the Innviertel (Upper Austria). The Mostviertel (Must District) owes its name to the production of apple and pear must – fruits which are cultivated in agroforestry farming systems.
The Eastern Foothills
At the Alps’ eastern edge, which starts at the Leitha Mountains, the foothills consist of the hill countries of southern Burgenland as well as lower and eastern Styria. The region’s fairly mild climate is excellent for growing wine grapes. Another typical feature of the region is the pumpkinseed oil. Eastern Styria is Austria’s most important apple growing region. The apples are sold as dessert fruit or processed into apple juice, cider or must.
The Thermenland in eastern Styria and the adjoining southern Burgenland is a popular holiday destination thanks to its many mineral springs and the balmy climate. In the gently rolling hill country not only hot water bubbles up from deep below but the fertile soil also produces some of Austria’s finest wines and fruits. The region extends from the mountains in Joglland in the North to the East Styrian hill country at the border between Austria, Hungary and Slovenia in the South.
During geological times up to 5,000 meters of sediments consisting of clay, sand and debris settled in the Alpine foothills and created expansive gravel plates such as the Traun-Enns-Platte. Today the Alpine foothills, which were shaped during the Ice Age, consist of fertile arable lands and grasslands which, especially in the North, provide a living for the many corn and wine farmers.
The Northern Foothills
The Upper Austrian Traunviertel, the catchment basin of the river Traun, is dotted with large “Vierkanthöfe”, farmhouses consisting of four buildings that are grouped around an inner farmyard; “Vierseithöfe” are farmhouses where the square is enclosed by buildings plus a wall or a fence. “Vierseithöfe” are mainly found in the Innviertel (Upper Austria). The Mostviertel (Must District) owes its name to the production of apple and pear must – fruits which are cultivated in agroforestry farming systems.
The Eastern Foothills
At the Alps’ eastern edge, which starts at the Leitha Mountains, the foothills consist of the hill countries of southern Burgenland as well as lower and eastern Styria. The region’s fairly mild climate is excellent for growing wine grapes. Another typical feature of the region is the pumpkinseed oil. Eastern Styria is Austria’s most important apple growing region. The apples are sold as dessert fruit or processed into apple juice, cider or must.
The Thermenland in eastern Styria and the adjoining southern Burgenland is a popular holiday destination thanks to its many mineral springs and the balmy climate. In the gently rolling hill country not only hot water bubbles up from deep below but the fertile soil also produces some of Austria’s finest wines and fruits. The region extends from the mountains in Joglland in the North to the East Styrian hill country at the border between Austria, Hungary and Slovenia in the South.
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