Lobau
The Lobau is a Vienna floodplain on the northern side of the Danube and partly in Großenzersdorf, Lower Austria. It has been part of the Danube-Auen National Park since 1996 and has been a protected area since 1978. It is used as a recreational area and is known as a site of nudism. There is also an oil harbour, and the Austrian Army uses the Lobau as a training ground. In addition to the water coming from the Alps through the Wiener Hochquellenwasserleitung, the Lobau is a source of groundwater for Vienna.
The Donauinsel (Vienna Danube Island) borders the Lobau.
History
The Lobau was the site of the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809, the first major defeat suffered by Napoléon, which was inflicted on him by an Austrian army led by Archduke Charles, and of the Battle of Wagram, a victory for Napoleon that followed two months later.
During the Oil Campaign of World War II, the Lobau oil refinery was bombed beginning on August 22, 1944.[1]
Impact on the environment
Some small territories were used by the army for soldier training. The Lobau also has a big impact on tapwater in Vienna itself, since it is one of the sources to provide water to its population.
The Lobau houses a huge amount of different species of the flora and fauna that are in danger of extinction.
Since 1977 the Lobau with a 1037 hectar property is considered as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
The Lobau is composed of nature zones, of which only 25% are being taken care of.
Since 1978 the Lobau is at the same time an area under landscape protection, a preserved area and also a biosphere reserve. The area covers one fifth of the 21st district in Vienna
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lobau. |
References
| ||||||||||
Coordinates: 48°11′N 16°31′E / 48.183°N 16.517°E