The Town of Leoben

The town's historical coat of arms shows that Leoben's connection to the study of mining and metallurgy goes back as far as the Middle Ages. For a long time, the ostrich was regarded as an iron-eating and digesting bird. Further, the bird in the coat of arms carries two horseshoes – symbols of iron – in its beak and in its claw.

 

Besides the proximity to the Erzberg mountain and the mining and metallurgy characteristics, Leoben became a cultural centre very early on. The Leoben town theatre was founded in 1790, making it the oldest theatre in Austria. Today, legendary cultural and national historic exhibitions with annually changing themes are a major attraction for tourists and visitors from different parts of the country as well as beyond.

Besides its role as university and cultural town, Leoben is the region's centre of commerce.  Numerous business related to the mining and metallurgy industry, a brand-new impulse centre for raw materials as well as trade and crafts businesses make Styria's second largest town a vibrant hub in the Mur and Muerz furrows.

For more information see www.leoben.at		 The traditional banner of Leoben


Fotos: Freisinger & Hoflehner, Tourismusverband Leoben, Stadt Leoben