One of the most famous Austrian cities (for me it was completely unknown), located at the confluence of the rivers Ens and Steyr. Franz Schubert called him "inconceivably beautiful" and it is difficult to argue with this.
So what is Steyr?
The city has a long history dating back many centuries. Already in the 6th century BC, the Celts lived here, and in the 1st century AD, Roman fortifications were located on the territory of the city.
The first mention of the city dates back to 980. Then the clan Traungau owned these lands. Later this dynasty stopped, Steyr passed to Babenbergs, and then to the Habsburgs.
Steyr received official city status and the corresponding municipal structure in 1287. The growth of his well-being was facilitated by iron ore deposits discovered nearby.
The Enns River also had a big plus in its economic development, since it was on it that this ore was rafted, and later on barges to other regions. Other goods were brought in the same way, both to and from the city.
Around the same years, Steyr was granted a folding right, which allowed local merchants to buy goods on terms favorable to them.
In the Middle Ages, the city experienced a heyday, it became one of the major centers of ferrous metallurgy, an active trade was conducted with Venice, where they knew a lot about metals.
At the beginning of the 19th century, one of the most famous arms magnates in the world, Joseph Verndl, contributed to the further economic development of Steyr. In 1864, he created an arms factory, which soon became one of the largest manufacturers of small arms in the world. Thanks to the production of electrical equipment at the factory, Steyr became the first major city to be lit by electricity from hydropower.
Werndl was very kind to his workers. He built modern apartment buildings for them, schools, paid salaries above the average level, provided all employees and members of their families with free medical care. That is why Werndl is often called the savior of Steyer and the father of the workers.
Grateful residents erected a monument to him in Schlosspark, where he was immortalized with the employees of their enterprises.
Schubert and Bruckner lived in the city.
But there lived another famous person for us, if one can call it that. This is the city of youth of Adolf Hitler. A fifteen-year-old teenager, he arrived here to study at the Higher Real School and lived in the very center of the city - on Grünmarkt Square.
During the Second World War, the city was subjected to massive bombardment by
Allied troops, due to the presence of factories producing weapons here. In May 1945, a meeting between the units of the Soviet Army and the US Army took place in Steyr and only a few days later they met again on the Elbe. From 1945 to 1955, the city was under occupation, and it, like Berlin, was divided into two zones - Soviet and American.
We briefly got acquainted with history, it is time to see the city itself, first of all its historical center, better known as Altstadt. It is entered through the ancient gate of Neutor, the 16th century. Next to them is the city museum, in front of which is installed such an amusing fountain.
Alstadt impresses with a mixture of architectural styles, bright and contrasting coloring of houses, which looks unusual and beautiful.
In fact, it is concentrated around the central, oldest square of the city of Stadtplatz, which is unusual in itself, it is formed not by crossing several streets, but by one wide street and is one of the best-preserved ancient urban architectural ensembles throughout the German-speaking space.
All city events and concerts are held exclusively on this square, however, the Christmas market and flower market are the most popular, which invariably attracts a large number of people.
It houses the Church of St. Mary, built in the 15th century by the Dominicans, later it was rebuilt, the model was the Munich Church of St. Michael.
On the side of the entrance is a chapel with sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Christ.
The only drawback of walking around Aldstadt was that it was Saturday and there was a fair on the square. In addition to the tourists, whom, incidentally, were few, many citizens went shopping. Everything was stuffed with machines with products, stalls.
But even with such a hustle and bustle, it was possible to admire the ancient buildings framing the square. They are diverse. For example, the Bummerhaus is the best preserved mansion in the late Gothic style and one of the most beautiful medieval secular buildings in all of Austria.
The oldest part of the building dates from the 13th century and it is first mentioned in documents since 1450.
The house is richly decorated from the side of the facade facing the square. The building also has stone carvings, steep tent roofs, wide windows decorated with rich friezes.
Until the 19th century, the Golden Lion guest house was located in it, then it was a trading house, currently there is a bank in it.