Lower Austria was the heartland of the early Austrian March, built up by the Babenberg monarchs with money extorted from the English Kingdom. This ensured that the region would prosper with the rest of Austria. Today it is a region of opposites, with remote hilly highlands full of fruit orcharts, and the grand 19th century industrial cities of the lowland plains.
Although this region encompasses only the lowerhalf of modern-day Lower Austria, it forms the heartland of the Babenberg March. The two sub-region that form this part, are the Industrieviertel, or Industry District, and Mostviertel, or the Juice District, are two distinctive districts in Lower Austria, each offering a unique window into the region’s rich heritage and enduring legacy of the Austrian Empire. The Industrieviertel, located in the southeast, is historically shaped by its proximity to Vienna and its early industrial development in the 19th century. Once a hub of textile, glass, and machinery production, it blends urban centers like Wiener Neustadt with charming spa towns such as Baden, all set against a backdrop of gentle hills and vineyards. The district’s industrial past is balanced by its cultural treasures, including the splendid Klosterneuburg Monastery, founded by the Babenbergs and renowned for its baroque architecture and sacred art.
In contrast, the Mostviertel to the west is a land of rolling orchards, traditional farms, and tranquil rivers. Its name comes from the “Most”—the region’s famous pear and apple cider, still produced in picturesque countryside dotted with old farmhouses. The Mostviertel is famed for its spiritual heritage, with impressive monastic complexes like Lilienfeld Abbey and Seitenstetten Abbey, both established by the Babenbergs and serving as centers of art and learning for centuries.
Travelers to these districts can explore the fascinating divide between industrial innovation and rural tradition, enjoying guided tours of historic monasteries, sampling local ciders, and hiking through scenic landscapes. Both regions promise a journey into Austria’s medieval roots, where the influence of the Babenbergs and their monumental monasteries continues to shape local identity and offer visitors a rich tapestry of history, architecture, and living culture.
