Steyr and Bethlehem

Country: Austria
Date of Agreement: 9 October 1999
Name of Mayor: Herman Leithenmayr
Tel: 0043- 72524879017
Address: Steyr, Austria

Steyr , a small historical town in Upper Austria, is romantically located at the junction of the rivers Enns and Steyr. Steyr presents itself as the most well preserved medieval urban complex in Austria, embedded in a landscape that even Franc Schuber found "beautiful beyond words". The perfect symbiosis between town, countryside, and river makes Steyr a unique experience. The town square, a gem of medieval urban architecture accommodates all great styles of the past. Excellently preserved gothic, renaissance, baroque and rococo buildings harmoniously exist side by side.

Three kms to the southwest of Steyr lies Christkindl, a popular destination among pilgrims. Centuries ago Ferdinad Sertl, a bandmaster suffering from epilepsy, placed a small wax figure of the infant Jesus into the cavity of a pine tree and regularly prayed in front of the statuette. When he was actually healed many pilgrims began travelling to this place to bring their request to "the infant Jesus under the sky", as the place was eventually named. In 1699 a small chapel was built around the pine tree. Later, abbot Anselm Angerer committed himself to erecting a church there. Today the 1000 year old town of Steyr, located between Salzburg and Vienna has a population of 43,000 and is the centre of attraction for visitors from the world over. Steyr offers romanticism, relaxation, and flair. It magnificient natural landscapes are an ideal destination for excursions.

A specific sound has been the symbol of the town's wealth. It was the sound of blacksmiths forging red-hot iron. In 1844, Leopold Werndl established the continent's largest weapons factory there, turning Steyr into one of Austria's most important economic centres. Today, Steyr Daimler Puch AG, which emerged from Wrendl's weapons factory, as well as other multinationals such as BMW, MAN and SKF underscore Steyr's significance as an industrial centre that exists in harmony side by side with an outstandingly well-preserved old town centre.

CHRISTMAS TIME IN STEYR

During wintertime Steyr has a special atmosphere. A special highlight is the ,Steyrer Kripperi", one of the last stick-puppet theatres in Europe. Funny scenes, like the story of "Backernatzl" (young baker boy) or the "Liachtlausblaser" (boy who blows out the candle lights in the street) are shown. Every year, from November until January, children and adults are amused by this performance. A unique presentation is the so-called ,Kripperi-Roas": you visit different cribs and crib exhibitions in Steyr and get more information about the town and the history.

At the same time the world-famous Christmas Post Office Christkindl is opened. Over 2 million letters and postcards get the Austrian Christmas stamp and the postmark. Also children's letters to Santa Claus are answered there. Also worth visiting are the pilgrimage church, the mechanic crib and the Pottmesser Crib. (one of the biggest cribs in the world)

Since September 1998 Steyr has a Christmas Wonderland, where a small train takes you through an old building. It is shown how Christmas is celebrated all over the world. Nearby, in the Church of St. Michael's people are pleased by Advent concerts surrounded by a thoughtful atmosphere of an old baroque church. In the city hall is another special exhibition with cribs from Bethlehem.

Between the old town centre and Christkindl as well as to neighbouring Christmas markets (in Garsten and St. Ulrich) Oldtimer buses are circling around. You will take back home unforgettable impressions from your Christmas-time visit to Steyr.