Durnstein, Austria

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. Visitors can see the crooked medieval streets, quaint 16th and 18th century town houses, colorful wine taverns as well as the ruins of a castle, where Richard the Lionhearted was allegedly imprisoned.

The town gained its name from the medieval castle which overlooked it. The castle was called "Duerrstein" or "Dürrstein", from the German duerr/dürr meaning "dry" and Stein, "stone". The castle was dry because it was situated on a rocky hill, high above the damp conditions of the Danube at the base of the hill, and it was built of stone.

Things to See & Do

* Durnstein Castle & views
* Vineyards
* Town's fortified walls
* Parish Church
* Hauptstrasse - old residences

General information

Cruise Season - Jan - Dec
Currency - Euro (EUR)
Language - German
Population - 875 approx
Land Area - 16.81 km²
Electricity - two vertical square pins and one perpendicular below British style
Time - GMT plus one hour
International Country Telephone Code - + 43

Travel Links - There is a bus and train service available to Durnstein from Vienna via Krems.