In the 2025 tourism season, works of art from the Artothek Niederösterreich will be exhibited at leading hosts in the region in “Best of Wachau” establishments. Guests can enjoy the scenic and culinary highlights of the Wachau and admire art from Lower Austria at the same time.

Inspired by the “Wachau Masterpieces”, visitors can expect multi-layered exhibitions and a varied program of events on the Krems Art Mile. There is something for every taste and every age group.

A visit to the Wachau Experience World Cultural Heritage exhibition in the Landesgalerie Niederösterreich is particularly worthwhile. Here you can immerse yourself in the scenic diversity of the Wachau and discover the impressive paintings of the Wachau painters. The multimedia tour offers exciting insights into the Wachau UNESCO World Heritage Site using historical objects such as the gold cap, emerald lizard or a replica of the Venus of Willendorf.

In a library you borrow books - in the Artothek Niederösterreich you borrow art. As part of the Kunstmeile Krems, the ARTOTHEK Niederösterreich offers over 1,500 works by renowned artists for loan. Floral motifs, abstract art, oil paintings or prints - the variety is impressive. All works come from the holdings of the Lower Austrian State Collections.

The spectrum of selected works by Austrian artists that adorn the premises of the eight “Best of Wachau” establishments ranges from modern to classic. They include well-known names such as Karl Korab, Gabriele Schöne, Robert Hammerstiel, Sula Zimmerberger oder Thomas Reinhold, who have a strong connection to Lower Austria or were even born here, and the selection was made together with the hoteliers. Particular attention was paid to harmonious integration into the respective premises and the personal taste of the hosts.

The first event was the pop-up heuriger as part of the survey of the Wachau. As part of the Wachau Gourmet Festival, Milena Broger and her partner Erik Pedersen staged their contemporary interpretation of a wine tavern. The pop-up event took place on April 12 and 13 in the listed Pfarrstadl Mitterarnsdorf.

Milena Broger and Erik Pedersen provided culinary delights, while the Kunstmeile Krems was a feast for the eyes. The walls of the old barn came to life with works of art from the Artothek Niederösterreich.

The pop-up heuriger was temporary and the art moved on to the selected companies in the Wachau.

The project takes place in cooperation with Donau Niederösterreich Tourismus.

• Hotel Klinglhuber – Krems
• Steigenberger Hotel & Spa – Krems
• Hotels Schloss Dürnstein
• Gasthof Prankl – Spitz
• Adam Mühle – Spitz
• Schloss Luberegg – Emmersdorf
• Hotel Restaurant zur Post – Melk
• Residenz Wachau – Aggsbach Dorf