Krems in the Wachau:
Ancient Alleys & Wonderful Wines - Part II
Not far from here, in a former Dominican monastery, you can find the Weinstadt Museum that is dedicated to Krems′ longstanding history in winemaking. The museum/monastery still has the original cloisters and the medieval church. An entire section of the exhibition is dedicated to Johann Martin Schmidt, generally referred to as the "Kremser Schmidt", a Baroque artist that was born in the village of Grafenwörth in 1718 and trained here in Krems.
He is considered to be a bit of an outlaw in terms of his style, which is distinctly "Kremsian" compared to the works of the artists in Vienna or Salzburg. Move on in the same direction to get to the "Hoher Markt", an ancient, cobbled market square with several houses of interest around it.
The Palais Gozzo is one of them, a medieval manor, and the Sgraffitohaus, medieval as well, around the corner. Eventually, walk to the west until you get to the 15th century Steiner Tor Gate. Beyond this gate lies "Und", with few attractions. There is a former Capuchin monastery which houses a tourist information centre and thus is open to visitors.
The Modern Face of Krems
If you keep on walking in this direction, you will get to Stein with its fairly recent addition, the large "Kunsthalle Krems" ("art hall Krems"). In association with the nearby Minoritenkirche church, it shows exhibitions of contemporary art. The church was originally built in the 13th century in Romanesque style. The exhibitions are often major events touring Europe, so it is definitely worth checking the current offers. Just behind the church there are Salzstadl or salt barns. Walk along Steiner Landstraße which features several attractive Renaisance and late-medieval buildings and note the Kremser Tor Gate, echoing the Steiner Tor further up the road.
In the other direction you will get to two churches right next to each other. One is the Steiner parish church, a Gothic building with a Baroque dome and a Roccoco Pfarrhof ("Priest′s Court") nearby. The other one is the 14th century Frauenbergkirche, dedicated to the Austrian victims of war. The local main square Rathausplatz boasts with great views and several impressive medieval courts, including the "Großer Passauerhof" and the Mauthaus (toll house). Further down the road you will get to yet another gate, the Linzer Tor. Finish the day in one of Krems′ rustic restaurants with some of the local wine.
For more things to see, try to go to Stift Göttweig monastery, which you an even see from some spots in Krems. It is among Austria′s most impressive monasteries. Other attractions are Schloss Grafenegg Castle or Dürnstein, which is finally considered to be thoroughly in the Wachau. The monastery of Herzogenburg is a bit further, but also an attractive destination for sightseeing.
Return to "Krems - Part I"
Back to: "Lower
Austria
Sightseeing Guide"
Sightseeing by Austrian Province
Bregenz and Vorarlberg - Innsbruck and Tyrol - Salzburg - Salzkammergut - Graz and Styria - Klagenfurt and Carinthia - Wachau and Lower Austria - Vienna - Burgenland
Further Reading
Official Website of Lower Austria
