Puchberg am Schneeberg | |
Pushpin Map: | Austria |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 270 |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within Austria |
Coordinates: | 47.7833°N 15.9°W |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Austria |
Subdivision Type1: | State |
Subdivision Name1: | Lower Austria |
Subdivision Type2: | District |
Subdivision Name2: | Neunkirchen |
Parts Style: | para |
Leader Title: | Mayor |
Leader Name: | Michael Knabl |
Elevation M: | 585 |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Timezone: | CET |
Timezone Dst: | CEST |
Utc Offset: | +1 |
Utc Offset Dst: | +2 |
Registration Plate: | NK |
Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
Postal Code: | 2733, 2734, 2761 |
Area Code Type: | Area code |
Area Code: | 02636 |
Website: | www.puchberg.at |
Puchberg am Schneeberg is a town in the south-eastern part of Lower Austria with approximately 2650 inhabitants. It is situated about 80 Kilometres from Vienna. The highest point of Puchberg is the Schneeberg with 2076 m, the highest mountain of Lower Austria.
Already in the 18th and the 19th centuries, Puchberg was a popular destination for visitors. With the opening of the Schneeberg Railway, tourism became more important than farming, which traditionally had been the primary source of revenue. The spa is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Lower Austria.
About its early history, little is known. A Roman road, on which grains, wine and salt were transported, passed through the area. The name Puchberg was first mentioned in 1260 in reference to Eberhard von Puchperch.[1] In the Middle Ages four castles were built near Puchberg, including Puchberg Castle, of which only ruins remain.
The village was destroyed in 1683 by Ottoman forces at the time of the Battle of Vienna. With the opening of the railway from Wiener Neustadt and the rack railway to the Schneeberg in 1897, tourism became important. The region became a resort area for the Viennese upper classes seeking to escape the city in summer, and it still serves as a nature retreat today.