Description of the attraction
Leoben is a city in Styria, central Austria, located on the Mur River. The city has a population of about 25,000 and is a local industrial center. There is a university in Leoben, founded in 1840, which specializes in the mining industry. Leoben is known as the "Gateway to Iron Styria".
The first documentary mention of Leoben dates back to 904, where this area is called Lupine. In 1261, Leoben received the right to be called a city from the Duke of Styria. Soon Leoben became the mining center of all Styria, withstood the Turkish raids in the 15th century, and in the 16th century took an active part in the Reformation. After the expulsion of the Protestants from the city, a Catholic cathedral was built in 1665 in honor of the Jesuit monk St. Francis Xavier. From 1782 to 1859, Leoben was the center of the Catholic episcopate.
The inhabitants of Leoben have been trading in iron for centuries. Mountain traditions still play an important role in the life of the city. For example, the Day of Miners, the Feast of St. Barbara are celebrated annually, various thematic fairs and exhibitions are held.
The main attractions of the city include the 17th century Baroque Church of St. Francis Xavier, the Old Town Hall, the Gothic Maria am Vaazen Church with original stained glass windows, the old Benedictine Abbey of Göss with 14th century frescoes and an early Romanesque crypt, the Church of St. Jacob and the University of Leoben …
