St. Pölten history

Roman Roots and the Birth of the City

The history of St. Pölten is rooted in deep antiquity, allowing it to claim the title of one of the oldest cities in Austria. Originally, on this territory between the Traisen River and the foothills of the Alps, stood the Roman settlement of Aelium Cetium, founded in the 2nd century AD. It served as an important administrative and commercial centre of the province of Noricum but fell into decline with the fall of the Roman Empire.

The revival of the city began in the 8th century when a Benedictine monastery dedicated to Saint Hippolytus was founded here. It is from the distorted pronunciation of this saint's name (Sankt Hippolyt) that the modern name of the city — St. Pölten — was derived. The official date of the city's establishment is considered to be 1159, when the Bishop of Passau granted the settlement municipal rights. This document is considered the oldest surviving charter of its kind in Austria.

Key Development Factors

The development of St. Pölten was determined by a fortunate combination of geographical and political conditions:

• Strategic Location: The city emerged at the crossroads of important routes connecting the Danube with the Alpine regions. The Traisen River provided water and energy for the first craft workshops.
• Ecclesiastical Influence: Until the end of the 18th century, the city was under the administration of the Bishopric of Passau. This ensured relative stability and an influx of funds for the construction of temples and administrative buildings.
• Trade Status: Obtaining market and city rights in the 12th century stimulated an influx of merchants and artisans, turning the settlement into a local economic hub.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the Middle Ages, St. Pölten formed as a classic monastery town, around which a craft settlement grew. The economy of the early period was based on the trade of grain, livestock, and agricultural produce, as well as serving the needs of the clergy. Cultural life was inextricably linked with the church: the monastery served not only as a religious centre but also as a place for the preservation of knowledge, literacy, and art.

Despite the fact that the city was surrounded by fortress walls for protection against external threats, it remained open to traders, which laid the foundation for its future prosperity and transformation into a Baroque jewel in later eras.

Major Historical Milestones

• 2nd Century AD — The Roman settlement of Aelium Cetium receives city status under Emperor Hadrian, becoming an important centre of the province of Noricum.
• Around 790 — Foundation of the Benedictine monastery in honour of Saint Hippolytus, around which the medieval settlement begins to form.
• 1159 — The Bishop of Passau grants St. Pölten city rights, which is considered the oldest documented city privilege in Austria.
• 1494 — The city experiences a massive fire that destroyed many wooden structures, leading to a subsequent reconstruction of the centre.
• 1689 — The famous architect Jakob Prandtauer moves to the city; his work marked the beginning of the golden age of Baroque architecture in the region.
• 1785 — Emperor Joseph II transfers the episcopal see from Wiener Neustadt to St. Pölten, making it the centre of a new diocese.
• 1858 — Opening of railway services on the Western Railway (Westbahn) line connects the city with Vienna and accelerates industrialisation.
• 1922 — St. Pölten receives the special status of a statutory city (Statutarstadt), giving it expanded administrative powers.
• 1986 — In a referendum, the residents of Lower Austria choose St. Pölten as the new capital of their federal state.
• 1997 — The government of Lower Austria officially moves from Vienna to the specially built government district, the Landhausviertel.
• 2006 — Completion of the main cultural facilities of the government district, including the Festspielhaus and the Museum of Lower Austria.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The evolution of St. Pölten is a sequential change of roles: from a Roman outpost and monastic settlement to an industrial centre and the modern capital of the region. Key milestones have defined its current architectural and economic appearance.

• Acquisition of Urban Autonomy (1159)
  Obtaining the oldest city rights in Austria became the legal foundation for independent economic development. This event allowed for the formation of a class of free citizens, the organisation of regular fairs, and the transformation of the settlement into a significant trade hub on the way to the Danube.
• Baroque Reconstruction (17th–18th Centuries)
  During this period, the city underwent a radical architectural transformation. Thanks to the activities of outstanding architects such as Jakob Prandtauer, medieval developments were replaced by luxurious ensembles. This turned St. Pölten into one of the most striking examples of Baroque urban planning in Austria, defining its cultural code for centuries to come.
• Establishment of the Episcopal See (1785)
  Emperor Joseph II's decision to make the city the centre of a diocese strengthened its administrative and spiritual status. This attracted an educated elite to the city, stimulated the development of ecclesiastical art and education, and contributed to the renovation of the cathedral and the bishop's residence.
• Industrial Breakthrough (19th – Early 20th Century)
  The construction of the Western Railway and the opening of large industrial enterprises (including paper production and the textile giant Glanzstoff) changed the economic profile of the city. St. Pölten became a working-class centre, which led to a sharp increase in population and the expansion of residential development beyond the historical core.
• Obtaining Capital Status (1986)
  The selection of St. Pölten as the capital of the federal state of Lower Austria became the main political event of recent history. This decision launched large-scale infrastructure projects, the decentralisation of power, and the transfer of administrative institutions from Vienna.
• Creation of the Government District (Landhausviertel)
  The construction of a new district in the 1990s and 2000s became the largest urban planning experiment. The appearance of modern architecture, including the Festspielhaus and the museum complex, created a new cultural pole for the city, harmoniously contrasting with the ancient centre.

Architectural Appearance: From Baroque to High-Tech

The urban structure of St. Pölten represents a fascinating dialogue between the past and the future. The historical city centre, formed around Rathausplatz and Domplatz squares, has preserved a dense medieval layout, but its visual image was completely defined by the Baroque era. In contrast to the ancient quarters, the government district has risen on the banks of the Traisen River — a symbol of the city's new status, dominated by glass, concrete, and bold geometric forms.

Evolution of Styles and Iconic Structures

A walk through the city allows one to trace the history of Austrian architecture through specific examples, where each style corresponds to a certain stage of societal development:

• Romanesque and Gothic (12th–15th Centuries)
  Although few pure examples of the early Middle Ages remain due to later reconstructions, their traces are visible in the street layout and the foundations of buildings.
  Example: The foundation of the Cathedral (Dom zu St. Pölten), which was originally a Romanesque basilica before acquiring its current appearance.
• Baroque (17th–18th Centuries)
  The "Golden Age" of urban architecture. Thanks to the work of architects Jakob Prandtauer and Joseph Munggenast, the city received its recognisable opulent look. Facades are decorated with stucco, complex cornices, and statues.
  Examples: Institute of English Maidens (Institut der Englischen Fräulein), the facade of the City Hall (Rathaus), the Franciscan Church, and the interiors of the Cathedral.
• Art Nouveau and Secession (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)
  The period of industrialisation and the growth of the bourgeoisie brought graceful Art Nouveau lines to the city. Architects sought to move away from historicism, using floral ornaments and new materials.
  Examples: The Synagogue (former), the Olbrich House (Olbrich-Haus) with its characteristic decor.
• Modern Architecture and Postmodernism (Late 20th – 21st Century)
  After receiving capital status in 1986, the government district (Landhausviertel) was created. This is a zone of monumental administrative and cultural buildings designed by leading Austrian architects (for example, Hans Hollein).
  Examples: Landhaus (the government building in the shape of a ship), the futuristic Festspielhaus, and the Klangturm tower, offering a panorama of the contrasting parts of the city.

Urban Planning Highlights

A distinctive feature of St. Pölten is how carefully modern development is integrated into the landscape without violating the integrity of the old city. Rathausplatz remains the heart of public life, surrounded by historical facades, while the Cultural Quarter has become a new point of attraction, demonstrating the city's ambitions as a modern administrative centre.

Creators of the "Golden Age" and Baroque

• Jakob Prandtauer (1660–1726)
  An outstanding architect whose name is inextricably linked with the architectural flourishing of the city. He designed many iconic buildings, including the Carmelite monastery and the reconstruction of the Cathedral. Prandtauer lived and worked in St. Pölten for most of his life, turning it into a jewel of Austrian Baroque.
• Joseph Munggenast (1680–1741)
  Nephew and student of Prandtauer, who continued his uncle's work. He completed many projects begun by him and created his own masterpieces, such as the facade of the City Hall. His style largely defined the visual appearance of the historical centre.
• Daniel Gran (1694–1757)
  One of the most significant painters of Austrian Baroque. His brush belongs to the magnificent ceiling frescoes and altar paintings in the St. Pölten Cathedral, which are considered the pinnacle of his work.

Famous Natives and Figures of the 20th–21st Centuries

• Julius Raab (1891–1964)
  Austrian politician and Federal Chancellor, born into the family of a local architect. He went down in history as the "State Treaty Chancellor" (Staatsvertragskanzler), playing a key role in restoring Austria's sovereignty in 1955.
• Bernhard Wicki (1919–2000)
  World-famous film director and actor born in St. Pölten. His anti-war film "The Bridge" (Die Brücke) received international acclaim and an Oscar nomination, becoming a classic of cinema.
• Manfred Deix (1949–2016)
  A witty caricaturist and satirist known for his provocative works mocking societal vices. A native of the city, he became one of Austria's most recognisable artists, whose work is immortalised in a separate museum in Krems.
• Benjamin Karl (born 1985)
  An outstanding Austrian snowboarder born in St. Pölten. He is a multiple world champion and Olympic champion who has brought fame to his home region in international sports arenas.