The Danube winds its way through Eastern Europe, passing towns, villages, and cities, and cutting through beautiful landscapes on its way. It’s an eclectic part of the continent, simply because it covers so much ground and connects numerous countries, and it is increasingly becoming known as a vibrant art hub.
Trawling through cities such as Budapest, Vienna, and Belgrade – known for their creative tendencies – it’s no wonder that artists are flocking to the Danube area for inspiration and influence. But today I don’t want to focus on the big guns. Instead, I want to draw your attention to the smaller towns and cities that sprawl out along the Danube and which have a strong dedication to the arts.
Linz
The Austrian city of Linz was the European Capital of Culture back in 2009 and it remains a major player in the contemporary art and design world. Here, along the Danube, visitors can explore the open-air museum of architecture, featuring steel sculptures by the likes of David Rabinowitch, Mathias Goeritz, and Herbert Bayer.
The artistic influence in the city is evident, too, and you can easily see the threads of art history throughout the town, as well as pinpoint where many artistic movements have merged together over the years.
Szentendre
Just north of Budapest, Szentendre sits small and comfortably on the shores of the Danube. It’s a miniature town in comparison to the busy beast that is Budapest, but it boasts a plethora of quirky museums, arty cafes, and colourful, Baroque architecture. Here, you can also find the “Skanzen”, a huge open-air ethnographic museum dedicated to showcasing past homes, mills, and churches from traditional Hungary. And then there’s the internationally recognised museums, such as the Ferenczy Museum and the Margit Kovacs Museum.
Esztergom
Esztergom is another Hungarian gem that sits pretty along the Danube. With an impressive Basilica keeping guard over the town, it is embodied by a rich and fascinating history. In addition, it is home to a vibrant cultural centre with a full schedule of events, a popular theatre and, in nearby Vizivaros, visitors can wander amongst pastel-painted buildings, and explore a selection of museums, churches, and monuments.
Ulm
The German town of Ulm was actually the birthplace of Albert Einstein – a major attraction in its own right. But it also features a range of modern art museums, such as the Ulmer Museum which exhibits works by world-famous masters, including Picasso, Klee, and Lichenstein, and the Kunsthalle Weishaupt, the private collection of Siegfried Weishaupt, which is primarily made up of pop art pieces by Klein, Warhol, and Haring.
Gyor
Yet another Hungarian city makes the list – and for good reason. It is an important producer of textiles (amongst other products) and, despite being first and foremost an industrial city, it also has a vibrant arts scene. There are several museums dotted throughout, including the collection of Imre Patko, who was a world-traveller and eager art collector, and the Peter Vaczy Museum. In addition, there is also a grand National Theatre with a diverse schedule, and it is the home of the Hungarian Dance Festival, which takes place every June.
Krems an der Donau
This Austrian town is one of the quainter offerings along the Danube. It’s set amongst beautiful scenery and is well-known for its array of terraced vineyards. But, as well as this, there are also a number of arty sites for the more creative visitor to get stuck into. There’s the Kunsthalle, which is quirky collection of museums and galleries – including both permanent and rotating, temporary exhibitions, and a programme of events that run alongside them. For the more light-hearted art lover, there’s also the Karikaturmuseum – the country’s only caricature gallery.
So, if you find yourself exploring the area surrounded the Danube anytime soon, don’t forget to check out these little artistic gems, as well as the larger, more popular cities.
Have you been to any of these towns and cities?
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