Linz Uncovered: History, Squares and Stories

Our cruise departed Passau at 6:00 pm on 10 May 2026, and by 2:00 am the following day it had arrived in Linz, Austria. The journey downstream from Passau to Linz took just over eight hours. We woke up to a new city along the Danube, where the most striking feature was the prominent graffiti covering the riverside walls.

After breakfast, we set out on a walking tour of Linz to gain a deeper understanding of the city.

Linz is the third-largest city in Austria and the capital of the state of Upper Austria. Situated on the banks of the Danube River, it serves as an important economic, cultural, and technological hub. Unlike Vienna, which is renowned for its imperial heritage, or Salzburg, celebrated for its musical traditions, Linz has developed its identity through a distinctive blend of historical significance, industrial strength, and modern innovation.

The city's origins date back to Roman times, when a settlement called Lentia was established along an important trade route. Linz was first mentioned in written records in 799 and later became an important trading center during the Middle Ages. In the fifteenth century, Emperor Frederick III used Linz as his residence, increasing its political importance.

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Linz developed into one of Austria's leading industrial cities. Steel production and manufacturing became major parts of its economy, earning it the nickname "Austria's steel city." After World War II, the city rebuilt and modernized its industries.

Today, Linz is not only an industrial center but also a hub for education, technology, and culture. The city is home to Ars Electronica, a world-famous institution dedicated to digital art and innovation. It also hosts universities, research centers, and technology companies.

Linz is recognized as a city that successfully combines its historical heritage with modern development, making it one of Austria's most important and dynamic cities.

Our first stop was at Hauptplatz (Main Square), the historic heart of Linz and one of Austria’s largest town squares. This area is closely connected to one of the most significant and controversial chapters in the city’s history. The tram lines that run through the square today pass through what has been Linz’s political, commercial, and social center since the Middle Ages. During the Nazi era, the square was renamed Adolf-Hitler-Platz.

At the center of Hauptplatz stands the Trinity Column, a Baroque monument built between 1717 and 1723 in gratitude for the city being spared from plague, war, and fire. 

Our tour guide drew our attention to the eastern side of the square - the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus). She pointed to a balcony which became the site of a pivotal historical event. On 12 March 1938, following the Anschluss - the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany - Adolf Hitler appeared on the Rathaus balcony and delivered what is often described as his first public speech on Austrian soil after entering the country. Contemporary photographs and film footage show thousands of people gathered in Hauptplatz below to witness the event.

Linz held particular significance for Hitler, who spent part of his youth in the region and considered it his spiritual hometown. He envisioned transforming the city into a major cultural capital of the Third Reich, complete with monumental architecture, museums, bridges, and government buildings. While many of these grand plans were never realized, some projects were constructed, including the imposing bridgehead buildings near the Danube River.

As a result, the Rathaus balcony became a powerful symbol of Nazi propaganda. Today, Linz continues to grapple with this complex legacy, and discussions about how to commemorate and contextualize this period remain an important part of the city’s ongoing engagement with its history.

**************************************************

We were taken to this 16th century Renaissance building called Mozarthaus. This is famous because Wolgang Amadeus Mozart stayed here in November 1783 as a guest of Count Thun. In 1783, Mozart was traveling from Salzburg to Vienna with his wife, Constanze when they stopped in the city of Linz, Austria. While there, he was hosted by Count Thun, who organized a public concert in Mozart’s honor.

During Mozart's brief three-day visit to Linz in 1783, he composed one of his most famous works there, the Symphony No. 36 in C major, commonly known as the “Linz Symphony".

The challenge was that Mozart had no suitable symphony prepared for the public concert. In response, he composed an entirely new symphony in an exceptionally short time. This work was performed in Linz on 4 November 1783 and became one of his notable symphonies.

The piece was later named the “Linz Symphony” after the city where it was created and first performed. This event highlights both Mozart’s remarkable speed and creativity as a composer and explains why Linz holds a special place in his musical legacy.

*********************************************

From Mozarthaus, we continued to Landhausbrücke, where we saw an old stone arch bridge originally built between 1564 and 1565. The bridge was constructed as part of a defensive moat system designed to protect the Landhaus. Over the centuries, it was buried and eventually forgotten before being rediscovered in 2008. Today, the remains have been carefully preserved as a protected monument and can be viewed through a corridor at ground level.

As we continued our walk, we spotted this “short” displayed in a shop window. This is called Lederhosen - traditional leather breeches that originated in the 18th century as practical workwear for labourers, farmers, and hunters in the Alpine regions.

Lederhosen are typically made from durable leather, such as deer suede, buckskin, or cowhide, making them well-suited for rugged outdoor work. Today, they are best known as a symbol of Bavarian culture and are most famously worn during Oktoberfest and other traditional folk festivals.