Bruck an der Mur

Bruck an der Mur

Kornmesserhaus in Bruck an der Mur

Coat of arms
Bruck an der Mur

Location within Austria

Coordinates: 47°25′00″N 15°16′00″E / 47.41667°N 15.26667°ECoordinates: 47°25′00″N 15°16′00″E / 47.41667°N 15.26667°E
Country Austria
State Styria
District Bruck-Mürzzuschlag
Government
 • Mayor Bernd Rosenberger (SPÖ)
Area
 • Total 38.40 km2 (14.83 sq mi)
Elevation 468 m (1,535 ft)
Population (1 January 2014)[1]
 • Total 12,541
 • Density 330/km2 (850/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 8600
Area code 03862
Vehicle registration BM
Website www.bruckmur.at

Bruck an der Mur is a city of some 13,500 people located in the district Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, in the Austrian state of Styria. It is located at the confluence of the Mur and Mürz Rivers. Its manufactures include metal products and paper; located on the Graz to Vienna main line, Bruck is an important regional rail junction.

History

The earliest surviving record of Bruck dates from the time of King Ludovicus II "Germanicus", when it was identified, in a record dated 20 November 860, as "ad pruccam", a manor of the archbishopric of Salzburg. The settlement then identified with this name was in the location currently occupied by a suburb called "St. Ruprecht". The settlement then located at what is now the centre of Bruck is identified in the ninth century record as "muorica kimundi" (i.e. the mouth of the Mürz River).

The town was refounded in 1263 by King Otakar II of Bohemia, who was responsible for surrounding Bruck with its city walls. Bruck received its town privileges in 1277 from King Rudolph von Habsburg who had in 1273 succeeded Otakar. Bruck an der Mur was an important medieval trade center specializing in iron work.

Main sights

There is a 15th-century Gothic church in the city.

In the center is also the famous Kornmesser house, a building in Venetian style, built by Pankraz Kornmess in the 15th century. There is also the iron well with its famous lace-like dome.

The castle of Landskron burned down in the great fire of 1792. After that fire just two of 166 houses were left standing.

Culture

Near Bruck is a recreation area called Weitental. Every August a well-known artist and clown festival called Murenschalk is held.

Current political issues

Young people of Bruck an der Mur have been known to criticize the mayor, Bernd Rosenberger (SPÖ), who unconditionally raised police presence in the streets. They argue that this policy has the objective of harming the nightlife and harassing young people.

People

References

  1. ↑ Statistik Austria - Bevölkerung zu Jahres- und Quartalsanfang, 2014-01-01.