Enjoying the Culture 199beautiful interiors—specifically the Spanish Hall—and
lovely gardens. It became Austria’s first museum in 1580
after Philippine’s death. Today, you can see some glorious
treasures inside the Chamber of Wonders.
Lower Austria
The Danube River runs through this province. An important
waterway, it was the centre of life for many. As you meander
along the river, you will notice the many castles and
fortresses that have stood here for centuries. The wonderful
medieval town of Dürnstein is the highlight of the valley.
Leaving your car outside town in one of the special parking
lots, stroll though the old walled city and, if you have the
energy, climb to the ruined fortress high on the hill. This is
where Richard the Lionheart was held captive in the 12th
century. He was arrested for offending the Babenberg ruler
Leopold V on his way back from the Crusades. Legend says
that King Richard’s minstrel Blondel wandered throughout
the region singing until the king heard him and told him of
his fate. This, however, is just another of the legends that
Austrians hold dear. England did in fact have to pay a hefty
ransom for the return of her king and it was used to develop
Vienna. Farther upstream are the Aggstein ruins. Climbing
through the remains of this large castle is fun for both kids
and adults, and the views are worth the effort.
Styria
Strolling through the quaint streets of Graz takes you along
the Mur River to the base of the Schlossberg. As the name
suggests, the ruins of a 15th century fortress sit atop this large
hill. The castle, originally built to protect the city from the
Turks, is the source of the city’s name, Graz, which is derived
from the Slovenian gradec, meaning small castle.