Blue tower
On the Danube bank.
Uoaei1 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Uoaei1 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Uoaei1 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Uoaei1 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Dürnstein is a small town on the Danube in the Wachau valley of Lower Austria, about 7 km west of Krems and 66 km west of Vienna in a straight line. It is one of the most visited places in the Wachau and a well-known wine-growing area. The town takes its name from its medieval castle; the name means «dry stone», because the castle stood on a rocky hill high above the damp of the river. Dürnstein is first mentioned in 1192, when King Richard the Lionheart of England was held in the castle. The castle is now a ruin on the hilltop, and the town lies between the hill and the river. The blue and white Baroque tower of the abbey rises above the red roofs on the Danube bank, and behind it vineyards and rocks climb to the castle ruins. The cobbled main street runs between old houses and shops selling wine and apricot products. A steep path climbs from the town to the castle ruins in about half an hour, with views over the bend of the Danube and the vineyards. The valley is known for white wine and Wachau apricots, whose trees blossom in early spring. Sightseeing boats call at the town's landing stage.
On the Danube bank.
Half an hour up.
Blossom in spring.
Dürnstein, Wachau valley, Lower Austria, Austria
Yes, by a steep path in about half an hour.
Wine and apricot products.