Leoben é uma cidade do estado de Estíria, na Áustria central, localizado as margens do rio Mur. Com aproximadamente 25 mil habitantes, Leoben é centro regional industrial e abriga a Universidade de Leoben.
Past and present
Leoben is known as the “Gateway to the Styrian Iron Road”. The 13th century Main Square features the Hackl House with its baroque façade in red and white. The City Parish Church, St. Xaver, built in 1660, comprises a 17th century interior and is considered one of the most significant Jesuit churches in Austria. Also of note is the Art Nouveau Lutheran church which is at the upper end of the Franz-Josef-Strasse.
The oldest convent for women in Styria is Göss Abbey. Founded in 1020 A.D., it was run by the Benedictine nuns until it was dissolved in 1782. The early Romanesque crypt is of note as is the ‘Gösser Ornat,’ which can be seen in Vienna (Museum for Applied Arts). Next to the convent is the Gösser Beer brewery, which includes a brewery museum.
Current cultural events include classical concerts in the Congress Leoben, productions of the Summer Philharmonic in July and performances of local and guest productions in the oldest operating theater in Austria.
Tradition & Avantgarde
Leoben was shaped for centuries by the trade with iron and the research in raw materials carried out at the University of Leoben, which was founded in 1840. Mining traditions are still play an important part in citylife. Examples are the Miners Parade, the St. Barbara Celebration or the Ledersprung (“Leatherjump”). The Gösser Kirtag, a street fair, takes place on the Thursday after the first Sunday in October and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Leoben.
Other components of the vigorous cultural life of the “Mining City” include classical concerts in the Congress Leoben, productions of the Summer Philharmonics in July and performances of locally created and guest productions in the oldest still-running theater in Austria.
by Wikipedia
