Dürnstein

Dürnstein () is a small town on the Danube river in the Krems-Land district, in the Austrian state of Lower Austria. It is one of the most-visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and also a well-known wine growing area. The municipality consists of the Katastralgemeinden of Dürnstein, Oberloiben, and Unterloiben.

Key facts

Settlement.name: Dürnstein
Settlement.settlement_type: Municipality
Settlement.image_skyline: Dürnstein - Luftaufnahme.JPG
Settlement.image_caption: Dürnstein
Settlement.image_shield: AUT Dürnstein COA.jpg
Settlement.shield_size: 80x110px
Settlement.pushpin_map: Austria
Settlement.pushpin_mapsize: 270
Settlement.pushpin_map_caption: Location within Austria
Settlement.map_caption: Location within Krems-Land district
Settlement.subdivision_type: Country
Settlement.subdivision_name: Austria

Article

5 sections

Contents

Etymology
History
Politics
International relations
References

==Etymology== The town gained its name from the medieval Dürnstein castle, which overlooked it. The castle's name derived from the German duerr/dürr, meaning "dry", and Stein, "stone". The stone castle was dry because it was located on a rocky hill, high above the damp conditions of the Danube at the base of the hill. The modern town stands between the castle and the river.