Wachau

Stift Melk, Wachau

(Wachau is also the name of a municipality in the district of Kamenz in Saxony, Germany: see Wachau, Saxony).

The Wachau is a well known Austrian valley with a landscape of high visual quality formed by the Danube river. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of Lower Austria, located between the towns of Melk and Krems. It is 30 km in length and was already settled in prehistoric times. A well-known place and tourist magnet is Dürnstein, where King Richard the Lion-Heart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V.

The Wachau is well known for its production of apricots and grapes, both of which are used to produce specialty liquors and wines.

The Wachau was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in recongition of its architectural and agricultural history.

External links

*Wachau Official Website
*Wachau, Weissenkirchen Website
*Wachauer.Net