The 'Wachau' () is an
Austrian valley with a landscape of high visual quality formed by the
Danube river. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations of
Lower Austria, located between the towns of
Melk and
Krems. It is 30
km in length and was already settled in prehistoric times. A well-known place and tourist magnet is
Dürnstein, where King
Richard the Lion-Heart of
England was held captive by Duke
Leopold V.
The Wachau is well known for its production of
apricots and
grapes, both of which are used to produce specialty liquors and wines.
The Wachau was added to the
UNESCO list of world heritage sites in recognition of its architectural and agricultural history.
Related to the Austrian Wachau is an area in
North Carolina, comprising most of Forsyth County. Founded in 1753 by members of the
Moravian Church the colony of 100,000 acres (400 km²) was named "die Wachau" after the valley in Austria because western North Carolina reminded their leader Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg of the ancestral home of the Moravians' patron Nicolaus Ludwig, Imperial Count von
Zinzendorf 1700-1760. Now the Latin form of the name, ''Wachovia,'' is used, hence the name of the
Wachovia Corporation founded there in 1879.
External links
★
Wachau Official Website
★
Wachau, Weissenkirchen Website
★
Wachauer.Net
★
Winemonger.com article on the Codex Wachau
★
Vinea Wachau
★
Information with Guide to the Wachau and Lower Austria