Streets of Durnstein and other Dürnstein, Austria Things to Do Tips

One of the highlights of Durnstein must be strolling along its beautiful streets surrounded with historical buildings. It is very easy to walk around as the town is quite small, and it is very romantic indeed. Some of the streets will lead you down to the banks of the Danube River where there are walking paths and benches for you to sit and watch the local people fishing, having picnics, cycling etc.

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There are lots of traditional buildings and houses in Durnstein, with beautiful architecture. Best way to see and photographs these buildings is by walking along the narrow streets. Vehicles are not able to enter the streets, so you will not encounter the noisy traffic. More photographs of the traditional buildings are at part 2 of this tip as well as the travelogue section of this VT page.

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Here are some more photographs of the buildings and street scenes of Durnstein. More photographs are at the travelogue section of this VT page.

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Kuenringerburg is the castle located on top of a hill above Durnstein town, and it is a landmark which can be seen clearly when you approach Durnstein. Between 1192 to 1193, Richard the Lionheart (King of England) was imprisoned at this castle because he has insulted Leopold V, Duke of Austria. Despite disguising himself while travelling through Austria back to England from the holyland, he was still caught and imprisoned. Finally, Richard of Lionheart was freed after payment of a huge ransom of 35,000kg of silver.

In order to reach the castle, you need to do a climb (about 30 minutes) which I did not have time. The castle itself is destroyed but there are great views of the Danube River and surrounding Wachau area from up here. Another great place to view the scenery is at the Burg Aggstein which is further away (see my VT Krems page).

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There is a hotel called Sanger Blondel in Durnstein which you will come across while exploring the town. This hotel is named after the famous Blondel the Minstrel. The legend goes like this (information from internet) .......

There is a legend that when King Richard the Lionheart disappeared a faithful squire named Blondel the Minstrel went in search of him. As a wandering minstrel Blondel travelled for months over central Europe, vainly seeking for news of his friend, the King of England. At last one day, while singing one of Richard's favorite songs near the walls of the castle where the king was confined (which was Kuenringerburg castle at the hill on top of Durnstein), Blondel heard the song repeated from a window. Blondel the Minstrel recognized the voice of King Richard. From the window Richard told him to let the English people and the people of Europe know where he was confined, and Blondel the minstrel immediately went upon his mission.

King Richard came home to England in 1194, after a year and a half of captivity (after payment of a huge ransom of 35,000kg of silver). His grateful thanks were given to his faithful friend Blondel the Minstrel.

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The Chorherrenstift is a landmark in Durnstein which is not to be missed when you are at the Wachau region of Austria. It is the former Augustinian monastery which was founded in 1410. The Chorherrenstift received its baroque style architecture in the 18th century, with the exterior consisting of many saints and angels adopting various poses on and around the prominent blue colour tower.

The interior of the Chorherrenstift combines white stucco and dark wood balconies. There is a nice porch overlooking the Danube River. More photographs are at part 2 of this tip.

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Here are more photographs of the the Chorherrenstift. If you are interested in visiting this beautiful landmark of Durnstein, the admission fees and opening hours are as follows:

Admission fee to courtyard, church, exhibition and Danube terrace
- Per person = 2.40 euros
- Group of 20 (per person) = 2.00 euros
- Students and children = 1.50 euros

Opening hours (1st April to 31st October)
- Weekdays (9am to 6pm)
- Sundays and holidays (10am to 6pm)

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The famous Danube River does a curve at Durnstein, and you can see the locals fishing, relaxing at the benches, jogging, cycling etc along the banks of the river. The scenery at Durnstein is very beautiful because there is a backdrop of rolling green hills behind the Danube River, giving a relaxing and romantic atmosphere.

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At the western end of Durnstein, you will see steep cliffs along the Danube River and some houses are actually built along the cliff slopes.

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