Cultural landscape of the Wachau region

The 30-km. (18-mi.) stretch of Danube between the towns of Melk and Krems is protected as a cultural world heritage site by the UNESCO because 1)it illustrates through its architecture, habitation, and agricultural methods how medieval towns and culture have evolved through the ages; 2)its river banks bordered by mountains have remarkably survived throughout its historical evolution.

The region was awarded the “European diploma” and designated as a protected European landscape in 1993 by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. It can be seen as a “total work of art” in which the natural and the artistic combine to create a unique unit. While other regions along the Danube have barrages built for economic or biotopical reasons, the Wachau remains free from both barrages and bridges. The opposite bank of the river can only be reached by ferry.

The Wachau is regarded as one of the most colorful and cultural regions of central Europe. It is one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations along the Danube River, an historic place where stunning landscapes, a rich culinary tradition, and ancient wine-making traditions overlap.

The mild climate and fertile soil attracted peoples since prehistoric times. Later on, the Romans left signs of their civilization with the tradition of wine-making. The region has a turbulent past, in which Celts, Teutons, Magyars, and Huns fought for control of the land. During the Middle Ages, the Bavarians, Austrians, and Bohemians established monasteries along its banks. The vineyards established by the monks long ago have remained a part of the region’s landscape. Because the vineyards required terraced slopes, long, layered stone walls were built on the hillsides. This stairway-like form gives the vineyards and the region the distinctive image it has today.

The Wachau has fascinated visitors for centuries with its legend-filled history. The descriptions in fairy tales and the depictions rendered by artists have helped to crete a romantic image of life along the Danube. Castles, monasteries, ruins, churches, and tiny villages appear at every bend in the now-smooth river, making one forget the often dangerous waters of the river and its past military campaigns.

The Wachau had in fact been an oft-disputed border region, accounting for the many fortresses built on the hillsides. This part of the Danube was often a dangerous trade route, and waters were turbulent before barrages were built on the upper part of the Danube (upstream of the Wachau stretch) in the late 19th century for flood control. In fact, the waters were wild enough that boatmen were required to be non-swimmers so that they would be more concerned about saving their ships and cargo than about saving their own lives.

The Wachau region is a testiment to a beautiful landscape marked by the peoples who have inhabited the region. We were amazed at the unending castles, ruins, churches, and monasteries appearing around every turn in the river. The tiny villages in the Wachau are charming and picturesque. It was our favorite region thus far in our travels.

To read about our experiences in the Wachau region, please click here.