The 8 Best Museums in Sankt Polten, Lower Austria

Reviewed By el735 - Vienna, Austria

St. Pölten, the provincial capital of the province of Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) is often scoffed at for being just that: a provincial capital. Yet, despite dramatic wartime destruction, it has a lovely old town with historic buildings from medieval times to baroque to art deco, most of it located around an extensive pedestrian zone with lots of little shops, bars and cafes. When St. Pölten became the provincial capital in 1986 a whole new government and cultural district was built on the Eastern side of town. This is where you'll find the Museum Niederösterreich, a pleasant 10 minute walk from Cathedral Square (Domplatz). Museum Niederösterreich has two sections: the section sketching the province's history, art, culture, industry, agriculture, etc. from the Neolithic to present times with an important emphasis on World War II, the atrocities committed by Austrians under the Nazi regime, on concentration camps in the Ostmark, on the persecution of Jews and minorities. And an interesting section on local life under the occupation by the Allied powers; and the section on natural history of the province with an excellent display of local animal life, in particular large aquariums and many terraria and displays of local animal and plant life. Excellent explanation and documentation of the displays in German and English, many interactive stations, quite suitable for young children. Plus a nice cafeteria and museum shop and very friendly staff.