Exploring Krems, Austria: Archway Entry To The Town?

Krems, Austria, is a historic city on the Danube River, located at the confluence of the Krems and Danube rivers at the eastern end of the Wachau Valley. The Steiner Tor, or Steiner Gate, is a remaining medieval gate and the city's only remaining city gate, built in the 1400s and restored in the late 15th century. Over the archway is a clock tower that was rebuilt in the 1700s during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa.

Steiner Tor: A remaining medieval gate with an archway, built in the 1400s

The Steiner Tor is a medieval gate in Krems, Austria, one of the last remnants of the city walls that once surrounded the city. It was built in the 1400s and features an archway that allows cars to pass through, with a clock tower above that was added in the 1700s during the reign of the Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa.

The Steiner Tor is an important landmark in Krems and has a rich history. It was restored after being destroyed by Hungarian troops in 1477. The gate is decorated with inscriptions and coats of arms, including the motto of Frederick III, "All Earth is Subordinate to Austria" (AEIOU in German). The gate also features three crests over the archway that date back to 1756: the town crest on the left, the crest of the Empress Maria Theresa in the middle, and the crest of Ladislaus the Posthumous on the right.

The Steiner Tor is located at the entrance to the Old Town of Krems and is a popular attraction for visitors. Passing through the gate, you will find yourself on Landstrasse, the pedestrian area of the town with shops, cafes, and historical buildings.

The Steiner Tor stands as a testament to the long and fascinating history of Krems, a city with a rich cultural heritage and a long tradition of wine production.

The Historic City of Krems

Krems, located in Lower Austria at the confluence of the Krems and Danube Rivers, is a city with a long and fascinating history. Mentioned in 995 as an imperial fortress, it became a chartered city in the 12th century and had its own mint. Today, Krems is known for its wine production, charming old architecture, and scenic location on the Danube River.

In addition to the Steiner Tor, other remnants of Krems' medieval fortifications include the Pulverturm (Powder Tower) and the Gozzoburg. The city is also home to several landmarks, such as the old Stadtburg (fortress), the St. Veit parish church, and Gothic churches in the adjacent town of Stein.

Krems has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its wine production, with several well-known wineries in the area. It is also a regional market and service centre, attracting wine connoisseurs from Austria and abroad, especially during the harvest season.

The Steiner Gate: Another remaining medieval gate

The Steiner Gate, or Steiner Tor, is one of the last remnants of the medieval walls that once surrounded Krems. The gate was built in the 1400s and restored in the late 15th century after it was destroyed by Hungarian troops. Over the archway is a clock tower that was added in the 1700s during the reign of the Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa.

The Steiner Gate features several inscriptions and coats of arms. One inscription reads AEIOU, which stands for "Alles Erdreich ist Österreich untertan" or "All Earth is Subordinate to Austria". This was the motto of Frederick III, the first Habsburg Emperor.

There are three crests over the archway that date back to 1756. On the left is the town crest, a crowned double eagle on black, granted by Frederick III himself. In the middle is the crest of Empress Maria Theresa, and on the right is the crest of Ladislaus the Posthumous, who was born four months after his father, Albrecht II, died.

The Steiner Gate is located at the entrance to the Old Town of Krems, and passing through it takes you to Landstrasse, the pedestrian area of the town.

The Steiner Landstrasse: Home to the Kunsthalle Krems and the Caricature Museum

The Steiner Landstrasse is a road that runs through Krems, a historic city on the Danube River in Austria. The street is part of the city's Art Mile, which features several museums and art galleries, including the Kunsthalle Krems and the Caricature Museum.

The Kunsthalle Krems, or Art Gallery Krems, is an international exhibition house that focuses on contemporary art. The building was once a tobacco factory in the 19th century but was repurposed by architect Adolf Krischanitz as a modern exhibition hall. The Kunsthalle Krems features permanent works of art by Eva Schlegel and Peter Kogler and has exhibited important artists such as Arnulf Rainer, Yoko Ono, Pipilotti Rist, Hans Ob de Beeck, and Helen Frankenthaler.

The Caricature Museum, or Karikaturmuseum Krems, is the only museum in Austria dedicated to satirical art. The museum features caricatures, cartoons, and unique architecture, including an eleven-pointed jester's cap and a friendly face on its facade. Inside, visitors will find a snail-shell staircase and a glass floor connecting the two floors. The museum showcases the works of renowned Austrian artist and illustrator Manfred Deix, known for his provocative and taboo-breaking social commentary.

In addition to these two notable institutions, the Steiner Landstrasse is also home to other cultural landmarks. The State Gallery of Lower Austria, located at Museum Platz #1, showcases approximately 100,000 objects in its art collection, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photography, and media art. The Forum Frohner, dedicated to the artist Adolf Frohner, provides a space for the critical examination of socially relevant topics. The Artothek Lower Austria offers a unique experience by allowing visitors to borrow contemporary art pieces to integrate into their everyday lives.

The Steiner Landstrasse truly embodies the combination of art, history, and innovation that Krems has to offer, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the city's cultural side.

The Steiner Tor's crest: The crest of Ladislaus the Posthumous, born four months after his father's death

The Steiner Tor is the city gate of Krems, Austria, and one of the last remnants of the medieval walls that once surrounded the city. The gate was built in the 1400s and features three crests over its archway, dating back to 1756. The crest on the right belongs to Ladislaus the Posthumous, who was born four months after his father, Albrecht II of Germany, died.

Ladislaus was the posthumous son of Albert II of Germany and Elizabeth of Luxembourg. Albert was the hereditary Duke of Austria, and Elizabeth was the only child of Emperor Sigismund, who was also King of Bohemia and Hungary. Sigismund had mortgaged the Duchy of Luxembourg to his niece, Elizabeth of Goerlitz, and wanted to secure his realms for both his daughter and her husband. However, the Estates of Bohemia and Hungary did not acknowledge the couple's right to rule. After Sigismund's death in December 1437, Albert was elected the sole King of Hungary, and in Bohemia, he was unanimously elected king after defeating Casimir, who was supported by a group of Hussite lords and burghers.

Albert was planning a military expedition against the Ottoman Turks, who had been raiding southern Hungary, but he fell ill during preparations and died on 27 October 1439. Knowing that his wife was pregnant, Albert willed Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary to his posthumous child if his wife gave birth to a son. Albert put the potential heir under the guardianship of his widow and his cousin, Frederick of Austria.

Ladislaus was born on 21 February 1440, almost four months after his father's death, and was named for King St Ladislaus. He was baptised by Dénes Szécsi, Archbishop of Esztergom. The Estates of the Duchy of Austria acknowledged Ladislaus' right to rule and made Frederick of Austria regent, in accordance with Albert's last will. In Bohemia, only the Catholic lords accepted Ladislaus' hereditary right to rule.

Ladislaus became Duke of Austria and King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. He was crowned King of Hungary in Székesfehérvár on 15 May 1440. However, the Diet of Hungary declared his coronation invalid and elected Vladislaus I as king, leading to a civil war that lasted for years. After his mother's death in late 1442, Ladislaus' interests were represented by a Czech condottiere, John Jiskra of Brandýs, in Hungary, and by the Czech Catholic lord, Ulrich II of Rosenberg, in Bohemia.

Ladislaus' life was filled with political intrigue, as various figures vied for control of Hungary, Bohemia, and Austria. Despite the turmoil, he received a good education while under the guardianship of Frederick III, and a Latin grammar was completed especially for him. Ladislaus died unexpectedly in Prague on 23 November 1457, and his skeleton suggests that he may have fallen victim to bubonic plague or leukaemia.

Thus, the crest of Ladislaus the Posthumous, which sits on the right side of the Steiner Tor archway, represents the life of a boy born into royalty and political turmoil, who became a king at just a few months old.

The Steiner Tor's clock tower: Redone in the 1700s during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa

The Steiner Tor is a preserved gate, originally built in the late 15th century but refashioned in the Baroque style during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa in the 1700s. The clock tower, which sits above the archway, was redone during this period. The tower building dates from the Baroque period, specifically 1756, and is considered the symbol of the city.

The Steiner Tor is one of the last remnants of the medieval walls that once surrounded the city of Krems. The gate was erected in 1480, but the towers that flank the sides of the gate and the lower floor date back to the late Middle Ages. The archway features a small stone coat of arms on the right side, mentioning Emperor Friedrich III and the year 1480 in Roman numerals.

The Steiner Tor was restored in 2005 to mark the 700-year anniversary of the city's rights. The restoration aimed to bring the gate back to its original state as much as possible.

The clock tower above the archway was redone during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa in the 1700s. Maria Theresa was ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740 until her death in 1780. She was the only woman to hold this position in her own right and was sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, and several other territories.

During her reign, Maria Theresa promoted commerce and the development of agriculture, reorganised Austria's military, and implemented educational reforms. She also advocated for a state church and suppressed the Jews and Protestants, whom she considered dangerous to the state.

The restoration of the Steiner Tor clock tower during Maria Theresa's reign is an example of the reforms and changes that took place during her 40-year rule.

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