Leoben

Leoben is marked by a very long tradition.
Leoben was first given the name “Liupina” in the year 904 and became an important iron trading center at the “Forum Liuben” during the middle Ages.
The city flag of Leoben, an ostrich with two horseshoes as the iron symbols in beak and claw, represented an iron eating and digesting bird in the early days, and shall now symbolize the strong connection of the city with iron and steel.

Surrounded by coal and ore mines that are plentiful in the region around the Styrian Street of iron, Leoben became a center for the iron and steel industry. In 1849, the Montan University, which was originally founded in Vordernberg a few years earlier, was moved to Leoben. The iron and steel industry, as well as the Montan University were a main reason for the success of the region. The voest alpine characterized the location of Donawitz and the entire city. The voest alpine is still considered a global player and one of the many productions include the largest rail in the world and other world leading wire products.

Leoben was able to improve its image significantly in the last two decades. Besides the industry, Leoben has also reached international status with regards to research and education. Culturally, the art gallery has established an image reaching outside of Austria with its extraordinary ethnological exhibitions.