Pöchlarn: Kokoschka and the Nibelungs
A great painter's hometown and a setting of the epic saga
Photo: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Languages
- German, English
This private walking tour of Pöchlarn on the Danube brings together art and legend. The painter Oskar Kokoschka was born here, and in the Nibelungenlied the town, called Bechelaren, is the seat of Margrave Rüdiger.
Pöchlarn lies on the south bank of the Danube in the Nibelungengau, a few kilometers downstream from Ybbs. The Romans already had a fort here called Arelape. In the medieval Nibelungenlied the town appears as Bechelaren, where Margrave Rüdiger welcomes the Burgundians on their way to King Etzel.
In 1886 Oskar Kokoschka was born in Pöchlarn, one of the most important Expressionist painters. His birthplace is now a memorial with changing exhibitions. Kokoschka later lived in Vienna, Dresden, Prague, London and Switzerland and stayed connected to his hometown.
Your guide tells of Romans, knights and artists, shows remains of the old fortifications and the baroque church and links legend and reality on the Danube.
Highlights
- Oskar Kokoschka's birthplace
- Bechelaren in the Nibelungenlied
- Traces of the Roman fort Arelape
- Baroque parish church and old fortifications
- Danube promenade in the Nibelungengau
The route
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1Kokoschka House
Start at the painter's birthplace.
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2Main square
Town history from the Romans to today.
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3Fortifications
Remains of the old walls and towers.
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4Parish church
Baroque on the Danube.
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5Riverside
Finish with the Nibelungenlied.
Who this tour is for
For art fans, literature lovers and Danube cyclists who enjoy a good story.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.
How is the price calculated?
This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.
Is the Kokoschka House open all year?
The house is mainly open with exhibitions in the warmer months. We check opening times when planning your tour.
