Fire & Earth

“Anyone who loves the earth should open their eyes and come here,” said Governor Erwin Pröll at the opening of the provincial exhibition. The municipality of St. Peter in der Au as a “rural area” and the town of Waidhofen an der Ybbs with its modern urbanity formed a field of tension that provided an ideal setting for a look into history. More than 850 exhibits were on display in the renovated rooms of the Rothschild Castle in Waidhofen and St. Peter's Castle.

The elements of fire and earth are not only of fundamental importance to civilization, but are also fascinating due to their diverse manifestations and impressive power. According to the three curators Karl Holubar, Wolfgang Christian Huber and Roman Sandgruber, all of this should be presented in a vivid, impressive and thought-provoking way.

In Waidhofen an der Ybbs, the main town on the Lower Austrian Iron Route, the processing of iron has a long tradition. For several centuries, iron from the Erzberg was processed in the local forge furnaces, which meant that fire shaped the life and development of the town and its people. In keeping with the theme of the Moststraße, the topic of “Earth” was examined from many angles in St. Peter. The arc spanned from the wealth and life in the earth to the bountiful harvest and hunger. Curator Roman Sandgruber warned: “The earth is man's habitat. It does not belong to him alone. But the saying of the Bible has been fulfilled. Man dominates the earth, has subdued it. But he is increasingly running the risk of destroying his habitat.”

A comprehensive supporting program accompanied the show. For example, more than 70 regional innkeepers brought fiery and earthy elements to the menu, and interested visitors had the opportunity to follow the processes in a smoke kitchen, a forge or a schnapps distillery. “In addition to the content aspect of the provincial exhibition, we always pursue a very specific regional political philosophy in order to trigger lasting impulses throughout the region,” wrote Governor Erwin Pröll in his foreword to the catalog. According to the Governor, 20 million euros were spent on the infrastructure in the two local communities, six million euros were spent on the exhibition sections in Waidhofen an der Ybbs and St. Peter, and 14 million euros were spent on the accompanying program.

The provincial exhibition provided lasting impetus in the region. The added value was estimated at 33 million euros. The Mostviertel region not only recorded a strong increase in visitors, a rise in sales in the catering sector and an increase in turnover in numerous other sectors, but also a considerable increase in the number of overnight stays. 

The Rothschild Castle in Waidhofen was adapted according to the plans of Hans Hollein; the “Crystal Hall” and the glass cube on the keep are particularly noteworthy. After the provincial exhibition, the “5 Elements Museum” was opened in the castle, and it is now also an event center where seminars and weddings are held. St. Peter's Castle also houses the municipal and registry offices.

Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Rothschildschloss
St. Peter in der Au, Renaissanceschloss