Rohrau, Austria

Rohrau (Marktgemeinde Rohrau)is a village in Lower Austria, Austria. The name Rohrau - comes from two single german words "Rohr" which means Reed and "Au" which means a Riparian Forest - the name of the village tells its location - south of the village there is a Riparian Forest and a swamp covered with Reed. Rohrau is located in the "industrial quarter" (Industrieviertel) of Lower Austria. 8.66% of the land is forested, the rest used for farming, there are a Kindergarten and a primary school (Volksschule):

Districts Katastralgemeinden

• Gerhaus
• Hollern
• Pachfurth
• Rohrau

Local politics

The villages Mayor (Bürgermeister) is Herbert Speckl, a conservative. "Village Secretary" (Gemeindesekratär) is Josef Rössler. The Mandates at village council are (in seats) 14 ÖVP (conservative), 4 SPÖ (socialists/labour), 1 FPÖ (right)(Election 2010). Traditionally the conservative Party (Österreichische Volkspartei) has a stronghold in lower austria - caused by the population. There are many Farmers, Crafters and bureau employees.

Famous Persons

• (Franz) Joseph Haydn, composer (1732 - 1809)
• (Johann) Michael Haydn, composer (1737 - 1806)
• Karl von Harrach (1570–1628), Consultant to Emperor Ferdinand II.
• Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), Composer
• Michael Haydn (1737–1806), Composer (for the Archbishop of Salzburg), Brother of Joseph Haydn
• Johann Herbsthofer (1866–1932), Austrian Politician
• Andrew Molles (1907-1.6.1975), US-American Painting-Artist (Informel), settled down at Rohrau, died also there.

History of Rohrau

The area in pre Roman Times belonged to the celtic Kingdom of Noricum. It lies in the heartland of Lower Austria. In Roman Times the Region around Rohrau was part of Roman Province Pannonia, the village is settled next to Carnuntum (a former Roman settlement an Fort) nowadays village Petronell/Carnuntum. The village grew along an old road next to river "Leitha" connecting Carnuntum to the next Bridge crossing the river at Bruck/Leitha nowadays district capital. In the middle ages a Castle was built, sourrounded by water ditches - later it was made a chateau its Facade as today can be seen is in "Josephinian Style" a late and very rare Baroque Style that only was used during the reign of Emperor Joseph II. in the late 18th century. The chateau is owned by the counts of Harrach since 1524 and contains the biggest private collection of dutch oil-paintings in Austria. In the 16th century Rohrau was given the right to hold Market - the village was since then titled a "Marktgemeinde"

Rohrau is also the lower austrian village where classical composer Joseph Haydn was born in 1732. He is famous for his piano sonatas, symphonies and string quartets and his Trumpet concertos. Joseph Haydn is also called "father of string quartets"

Rohrau, situated at River Leitha, is a former Border-village it´s neighbouring Burgenland that was part of Hungary until 1921 - Rohrau once had a Border Checkpiont at the bridge crossing the river to "Hungary", now the checkpoint is a Farmhouse. It has to be mentioned that the border wasn´t really a protected one, for Austria and Hungary where both part of the same Empire of Austria-Hungary and local noble family Harrach owned the Land on both sides of the "border".

Sights

• Schloß Harrach, Rohrau - Gallery http://harrach.nwy.at/
• Haydnhaus Museum (Birthhouse of composer Joseph Haydn)http://www.haydngeburtshaus.at/
• Pfarrkirche St. Vitus (St. Vitus church) containing the "Haydn-Orgel" a historic church organ, also the Baroque Grave of Haydns Parents situated at the church-yard, and the Chapel, that lies before the church.
• Worlds first (oldest) Joseph Haydn Monument in front of the city hall.

Historical population of Rohrau

• 1971: 1,341
• 1981: 1,258
• 1991: 1,224
• 2001: 1,455

Other

There are 74 companies, 47 are related to agricultural and forestry. 633 persons are employed. The activity rate is 17.59%. Local catholic priest at the church of St. Vitus is Dr. Norbert Mendecki, Rohrau is part of catholic Arch-Diocese of Vienna http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Vienna

Local Agricultural Products: Sugar beet, Wheat, Maize/Corn, Potatoes, Sheep