Exploring Braunau Am Inn: Austria-Hungary's Small Town Charm

Braunau am Inn is a small historic town in Upper Austria, located on the border with Germany. With a population of around 17,000, it is the largest town in the Innviertel region. The town has a rich history, dating back to the Middle Ages when it was an important and prosperous trading centre. It is also known as the birthplace of Adolf Hitler.

Braunau am Inn's history as a border town

Braunau am Inn has a rich history as a border town, changing hands several times between Bavaria and Austria. The town is located on the River Inn, which formed the border between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria, and later, between Austria and Germany.

The town was first mentioned as Prounaw in an 1120 deed when it was part of the Duchy of Bavaria. Braunau received town rights in 1260, making it one of the first towns in present-day Austria to receive such status. It became a fortress town and an important trading centre, dealing in salt trade and ship traffic on the Inn.

In 1779, Braunau became part of Austria under the terms of the Treaty of Teschen, which settled the War of the Bavarian Succession. However, the town continued to change hands multiple times during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon himself visited Braunau in 1805 and 1809, and his army controlled the town in the early 1800s. During this time, a local bookseller named Johann Palm was executed in Braunau on Napoleon's orders for distributing pamphlets critical of the French occupation.

In 1816, following the Napoleonic Wars, the Kingdom of Bavaria ceded Braunau back to the Austrian Empire in exchange for Aschaffenburg. Since then, Braunau has remained part of Austria, except for a brief period from 1938 to 1945 when it was part of the Third Reich.

Today, Braunau is a charming town with a population of around 17,000 people. It is known for its pretty pastel buildings, medieval architecture, and museums showcasing the town's history. The town is also infamous as the birthplace of Adolf Hitler, who was born there in 1889.

The town's architecture

Braunau am Inn is a picturesque town in Upper Austria, right on the German border. It is known for being the birthplace of Adolf Hitler. The town is characterised by its delightful gardens and architecture, including many beautiful natural surroundings on the banks of the Inn River, fine late-Gothic buildings, and the impressive local Inn-Salzach-Bauweise architectural style.

The earliest written mention of Braunau am Inn was in 1120, and it received its charter in 1260. The town has been part of Bavaria for most of its history, but Austria acquired it in 1779 as a result of the War of the Bavarian Succession. Braunau has changed hands several times, and its location on a trade route and a navigable river made it an important and prosperous fortified town during the Middle Ages.

Some notable buildings in Braunau am Inn include:

• The Late Gothic Braunau parish church dedicated to Saint Stephen, built from 1439 to 1466, with one of the tallest church towers in Austria.
• The Town Hall, or Rathaus, built in 1905, which sports a statue of the town's famous citizen, Hans Steininger, recognisable for his astoundingly long beard.
• St. Stephan's Church, a very large church with wooden pews that were custom-built to accommodate the sizes and figures of local parishioners.
• The Torturm (Gate Tower), with bells that are rung at 8 am, noon, and 6 pm every day, and the evening bells play Brahms' "Lullaby".
• The Regional Museum (Herzogsburg), which has exhibits about the history of the area, including a bell foundry workshop dating back to 1385, and the incredible beard of Herr Steininger.
• The Local Museum (Heimathaus), which has an intact bell foundry workshop dating back to 1385, and the bench that Napoleon supposedly sat on.

The town also has many 16th- and 17th-century houses, and two Gothic churches: St. Stephan (1439-1492) and the Spitalkirche (1417-1430).

Braunau's population

The population of Braunau am Inn, Austria, was 16,182 in 2011. By 2017, the population had grown to 17,120. In 2006, the population was recorded as 16,362. The town's population continues to grow, with its central location between the booming region of Innviertel and Bavaria, Germany's economic powerhouse, attracting workers.

The population of Braunau has a rich history, with the town being mentioned in famous literary works such as Tolstoy's "War and Peace" and Hitler's "Mein Kampf." The town has also been a site of cultural significance, with Emperor Franz-Josef's visit in 1903 being captured in the oldest surviving film reel in Austria.

Despite its small size, Braunau has played a notable role in shaping history, particularly due to its infamous connection to Adolf Hitler, who was born in the town in 1889.

The town's economy

Braunau am Inn is a small town in Upper Austria, close to the German border. The town has a rich history, including its role as a trading route junction and a fortress town. Braunau am Inn's economy has traditionally been based on its position as a border town and its access to the River Inn.

During the Middle Ages, Braunau was a prosperous and important town due to its location on a trade route and its position on the navigable River Inn. The town served as a port of entry and was a significant junction for the salt trade and ship traffic on the Inn. The River Inn formed the border between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria, and later between Austria and Germany.

Over the years, Braunau am Inn has changed hands several times between Bavaria and Austria, with Austria acquiring the town in 1779 after the War of the Bavarian Succession. The town's economy benefited from its access to the river and its role as a trading centre.

In addition to its historical role as a trading centre, Braunau am Inn is also known for its industries, including electronics, metalworking, woodworking, and glass manufacturing. The town is home to Austria's largest aluminium works, located in the suburb of Ranshofen.

Today, Braunau am Inn continues to be an important economic centre in the region. The town's population is growing, and it is well-connected to the surrounding areas, including the booming Innviertel region to the east and Bavaria, Germany's economic powerhouse, to the west. The free movement of labour across the border has been particularly crucial for the local economy, with commuters taking advantage of the strong economic growth in the area.

Braunau am Inn also attracts tourists with its beautiful natural surroundings, late-Gothic buildings, and unique Inn-Salzach-Bauweise architectural style. The town's rich history and cultural offerings, such as its medieval architecture and museums, also contribute to its economic development through tourism.

In conclusion, Braunau am Inn's economy has been shaped by its historical role as a trading centre, its access to the River Inn, and its position as a border town between Austria and Germany. Today, the town continues to thrive economically through its diverse industries, growing population, and appeal as a tourist destination.

Tourist attractions

Braunau am Inn is a picturesque Austrian town nestled on the border with Germany. With a population of around 17,000, it is brimming with history and boasts several attractions for visitors to explore. Here is a curated list of must-see destinations in Braunau am Inn:

Stadtplatz

The main plaza of Braunau am Inn, Stadtplatz, is a delightful expanse lined with pastel-hued buildings, vibrant restaurants, and quaint shops. Visitors can relish the local cuisine and beer at one of the many outdoor seating areas, soaking in the charming atmosphere of the town.

St. Stephan's Church

St. Stephan's Church, located just off the historic central square, is a magnificent structure built between 1439 and 1466. It boasts one of the tallest church towers in Austria and features custom-built wooden pews to accommodate parishioners of all sizes. The church likely holds a significant place in history as it is believed that the Hitler children, including Adolf Hitler, were baptised here.

Torturm (Gate Tower)

The Torturm, or Gate Tower, is a remnant of Braunau am Inn's medieval past and served as the main entrance into the central square. The tower's bells ring out at 8 am, noon, and 6 pm each day, with the evening bells playing Brahms' "Lullaby."

Old Town Hall

The Old Town Hall, or Rathaus, is a fascinating building that exudes an air of antiquity. Constructed in 1905, it features a statue of Braunau am Inn's famous citizen, Hans Steininger, renowned for his extraordinarily long beard. The town hall continues to house the town's administrative offices.

Regional Museum (Herzogsburg)

The Regional Museum, housed in the Herzogsburg, offers a comprehensive journey through the region's history. Exhibits span from the time of mammoths to the Middle Ages and beyond. One of the highlights of the museum is the incredible beard of Herr Steininger, which he was famously tripped on, leading to his untimely demise.

Local Museum (Heimathaus)

The Local Museum, or Heimathaus, is located in the Glockengießerhaus, a historic building constructed in the 1700s. This museum showcases an intact bell foundry workshop dating back to 1385 and also displays a bench that is said to have been sat on by Napoleon during his visits to the town.

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