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Capital city of Lower Austria
Photo: User:Monika Schaar, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
St. Pölten is a city with about 55,000 inhabitants (2018) in Lower Austria between the Bohemian Massif and the Türnitz Alps.
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Lower Austria Museum
Has permanent exhibits detailing regional history, as well as an art exhibit including works by F.G. Waldmüller, and Egon Schiele, as well as pieces from the Gothic to Baroque periods.
Tower of Sounds
Designed by the architect DI Ernst Hoffmann and built in 1996, this is a nice place to get a view of the city from above. Sometimes there are exhibitions in the so called "Klangkugeln" (sound spheres) which are worth a visit.
Has special exhibits devoted to the history of the city.
Ehemalige Synagoge
The Jugendstil synagogue was designed by the architects Theodor Schreier and Viktor Postelberg, and built in 1913. The building was severely damaged during the Kristallnacht in 1938; after 1945 administration of the building was given to the Jewish community of Vienna, as the Jewish community of St. Pölten no longer existed. In 1980 a comprehensive restoration project was commenced; the only portions of the building which could not be reconstructed were the Hebrew verses in the medallions and the Jugendstil glass windows. Today the building is a memorial, and used by the surviving Jewish community for special events.
Diözesanmuseum
Displays religious art and artifacts, from the Middle Ages until the current era.
Located within the state parliament building (Landhaus), this gallery houses rotating exhibits of contemporary art by Lower Austrians.
A concert hall and staged, designed by the Austrian architect Klaus Kada and opened in 1997.
Viehofner Seen; formerly called Paderta Seen
These lakes are the remainders of an abandoned gravel mine. As there exists suitable infrastructure (public transport, pubs) it is a nice place to hang out. Boats are available to rent.
An indoor pool and sauna.
Jugendherberge St. Pölten
Free Wi-Fi, pets permitted by request, public parking €9/day.
Wochenmarkt am Domplatz
This is the place where to buy local food directly from the producers. It is also possible to buy flowers and specialties, such as local sweets. Visiting the market is a nice activity perfectly combined with spending some time in the nearby street gardens.
By car
St. Pölten is connected to the A1 "Autobahn" and the S33 "Schnellstraße". The distance between St. Pölten and Vienna is approximately 60 km, between Linz and St. Pölten ca. 120 km.
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