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Linz in General:
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Arts and Culture:
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Leisure:
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Climate:
1. Linz in General
Linz is the third largest city in Austria with 180,000 inhabitants. Embedded in the picturesque Danube Valley and surrounded by green rolling hills, Linz has a unique flair. A stroll through the old town with its picturesque buildings where you can view the Linz castle high above the town and the oldest church in Austria, the Martinskirche, dating back 1,200 years is highly recommended.
The pastel tones of the Baroque and Rococo facades of the citizens' houses on the Main Square and the carefully renovated "old town" provide striking contrasts to the city's modern industrial and commercial centres.
Linz has a long tradition as an important bishopric and as a result there are many churches located throughout the city. The famous composer and organist Anton Bruckner played regularly in the Old Cathedral.
Linz not only combines modernism with tradition; there are many naturally green areas, parks and greenbelts which offers numerous opportunities for relaxation and athletic activities.
2. Arts and Culture
Arts, entertainment and culture thrive in Linz. During the past few years, the city has successfully undergone a change from an industrial city to a city of progress in culture and technology. Art lovers in Linz can enjoy an outstanding cultural agenda throughout the year. The highlights include:
- the International Bruckner Festival, including the famous Klangwolke or "Cloud of sound" in September/October
- the Ars Electronica Festival, a multimedia, video, computer art and technology event in September
- the LinzFest (Linz Festival) in June
Numerous cultural institutions offer a variety of events throughout the year. Details can be found on the homepage of the city of Linz.
A unique museum in Linz is the Ars Electronica Center. Computer technology and ideas for the 21st century are presented in the "Museum of the Future" (Cave Virtual Reality, Cyber Deck, Cyber City, and Knowledge Net).
3. Leisure
The region surrounding Linz offers numerous recreational opportunities. A bike path along the banks of the Danube, from Passau in Bavaria upstream down to Vienna, is a genuine attraction for cyclists. The Pleschingersee is a lake situated close to the university and invites swimmers in the summer months.
In the winter, a large number of ski resorts can easily be reached by car within one or two hours. The numerous clean, clear lakes of the Salzkammergut region are ideal for those interested in water sports.
Adventuresome individuals can go hang gliding in Windischgarsten, explore caves in the Dachstein region, enjoy white-water rafting on the Steyr River, or climb Alpine peaks. The surrounding area of Linz is filled with beautiful monasteries and churches. The gentle, rolling landscape of the Mühlviertel region with its forests, fields, farms, and orchards is ideal for extended bike tours.
4. Climate
Winters in Linz are cold with temperatures below 0° C (32° F), and snow falls regularly. Students should bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes.
In spring and autumn, temperatures range between 10° and 20° C (50° and 70° F). In June the temperatures can rise to 25° C (75° F) and in summer, temperatures in the 30s (85° F) are not uncommon. The evenings tend to be chilly so it is advisable to bring along a sweater or jacket when going out.
Weather forecast information can be found on http://orf.at/wetter or http://www.tiscover.at/wetter.
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