catfish

Wels: Historic city with modern quality of life

Wels, the second largest city in Upper Austria, combines history and innovation. The old town with its charming squares and historic buildings tells of the city's rich past, while modern facilities and a lively cultural scene make Wels a dynamic center. In addition to attractions such as the Ledererturm and the Welios Science Center, the city also offers numerous events and leisure opportunities.

Short info:

• Where is Wels? 30 minutes by car southwest of Linz, about 15 minutes by Westbahn
• What is there to see there? Worth seeing are the castle and castle garden, Ledererturm, the Wels town square, the town parish church, the Wels Zoo, Welios Science Center, the Wels Trade Fair and more.
• What is the city known for? Wels achieved its current economic importance as a trade fair and industrial city and as a transport hub.
• How big is Wels? With 63,181 inhabitants, the city is the second largest city in the federal state of Upper Austria after the state capital Linz.

Generally

With a population of about 63,000, Wels is the eighth largest city in the countryThe city is known for its rich history, including the Roman settlement of Ovilava, which was founded in the 1st century. Today, Wels is an important economic center with many industrial and commercial enterprises. Wös, as the Upper Austrians themselves pronounce it, is also an important transport hub and has good connections to other Austrian cities as well as international destinations. The city is particularly rich in culture and history and offers a mixture of modern architecture and traditional buildings.

Sightseeing features

Wels Castle & Castle Garden

The castle was originally built of wood and was only rebuilt from stone in the 12th or 13th century. At the end of the 12th century it was pledged to the Babenbergs. After this family died out, the castle fell into the possession of the Habsburgs. Incidentally, Emperor Maximilian died in Wels Castle in 1519. Around 1900 it was acquired by the Blaimschein family before finally being bought by the city of Wels in 1937.

Today, Wels Castle is home to one of the most interesting city museums in Upper Austria. A thousand-year-old, eventful history of the city and its inhabitants is vividly presented to visitors through exhibits, models and audiovisual means, starting in the Middle Ages, through the Peasants' War, the Renaissance, the Baroque and Biedermeier periods, and up to the present day.

A visit to the castle gardenThe open spaces of the former imperial castle consist of the courtyard and the garden with a raised, narrow terrace along the eastern enclosure wall.

Address: Burggasse 13, 4600 Wels

Ledererturm

The tower was built in the 14th century and is part of the former city fortifications of Wels. The name of the tower is derived from the tanners and leather workers who worked in the area around the tower in the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the tower has been rebuilt and renovated several times, so that today it features a mixture of medieval and baroque architecture.
The Lederer Tower is 38 meters high and consists of four floors. The lower floor contains a vault that was used as a warehouse or prison. The upper floors contain living quarters and viewing platforms.

The tower can only be visited from the inside Wels Christmas and upon request.

address: Stadtplatz 58, 4600 Wels

The Wels town square

The Wels town square is located in the center. It is considered one of the largest and most beautiful town squares in Austria and is the heart of the city.
The square is surrounded by historical buildings from different eras. You can see mostly charming baroque facades from the 17th and 18th centuries. The houses themselves are mostly older, which is particularly evident in the backyards, which date from the Gothic and Renaissance periods. In the centre of the square there is a fountain, and in the run-up to Christmas you can find a beautiful Advent market.

Address: Stadtplatz

city parish church

The first written mention of the church dates back to 888, suggesting that there may have been an earlier church. It was originally dedicated to St. John the Baptist, but in the 14th century a change of patronage took place and since then John the Evangelist has been the patron saint. The church was built as a Romanesque basilica, but today has mainly Gothic elements, although various other styles are also clearly evident. A sandstone portal from the Romantic period is located in the tower hall. The stained glass windows are masterpieces of Gothic craftsmanship.

Address: Pfarrgasse 27, 4600 Wels

Wels Zoo

The Wels Zoo is home to around 90 animal species on 28,000 m² with a total of 600 animals, including many monkeys, native and exotic birds, turtles and native animal species. Through the park area The Mühlbach stream flows through it, creating numerous ponds. The zoo is free and can be wonderfully visited as part of a city tour. There is a very nice playground for children with an adjacent buffet. Some of the animals can be fed on site, and there are vending machines on site.

Welios Science Center in Wels

The Welios Science Center in Wels is an interactive museum that takes visitors of all ages on a journey through the world of science and technology. Visitors can learn how energy is generated, how the human brain works, how the world of light and colors works, and much more through various exhibitions and experiments. Welios also offers workshops and events on various topics.

Address: Weliosplatz 1, 4600 Wels; https://www.welios.at/

Wels Trade Fair

Various trade fairs on different topics are held regularly in Wels. The most well-known are the energy saving fair, the Agraria, the car show and the FERIA, the trade fair for tourism and leisure.
The energy saving fair offers visitors innovative technologies and products related to energy efficiency and sustainability.
Agraria is all about agriculture and animal husbandry, while the car show presents the latest models and trends in the automotive industry. FERIA, on the other hand, is dedicated to travel and leisure and offers a wide range of offers and information for everyone who wants to plan their vacation or spend their free time actively.

Overall, the trade fairs in Wels offer a wide range of exhibitions, lectures and events and are an important meeting point for trade visitors and interested parties from all over Austria and beyond.

Tip: When there is no trade fair at the exhibition center, it serves as a huge free parking in the immediate vicinity of the city!

Address: Messeplatz 1, 4600 Wels;  https://messe-wels.at/