WE’RE CELEBRATING ON 29 TH JUNE We wish you a happy Danube Day
Austrians at that time, with many bat- tles taking place on the Danube during both world wars. The histories of various nations are linked to the Danube Valley, with this river having always linked the destinies of the nations of Europe. And the Danube has retained that roll to this day. As French emperor Napoleon once said, the Danube is the emperor among rivers – as eternal as the Tiber, as fertile as the Nile, as magnificent as the Missis- sippi, as loved as the Volga, as spirited as the Rhine … It has acquired over ten different names and nicknames on its long journey from Germany to Ukraine. The Danube river passes through 10 countries and breath- taking landscapes all the way to the Black Sea. Soak up all that Europe’s most cul- tured river has to offer in four capital cit- ies: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Bel- grade... VIENNA – The Blue Danube Waltz The Danube gives its name to the famous waltz by Johann Strauss and the Vien- nese have a very special relationship with the Danube and its unique banks and beaches. They use it for recreation and sports, but also for spending hours relax- ing in beach cafés, bars and restaurants. Old Danube – Flanked by gardens and lawns ideal for sunbathing, restaurants with terraces by the water and prome- nades, the Old Danube attracts swim- mers, sailors, surfers and others. You can choose between the offers of three sail- ing and surfing schools, eleven boat hire companies and four lidos. Perhaps you’d also like to spend an afternoon at the
The Danube is an emperor among rivers – as eternal as the Tiber, as fertile as the Nile, as magnificent as the Mississippi, as loved as the Volga, as spirited as the Rhine. And we can't disagree with Napoleon. Let’s head out together along the beautiful, blue Danube to celebrate the international day of this magnificent river… T he Old Continent's sec- ond largest river (after the Volga) emerges in Germa- ny’s beautiful Black For- est and traverses 10 Euro-
beauty. Its undeniable importance, beau- ty and uniqueness were already known in ancient times. Herodotus dubbed it the greatest of rivers, while Hesiod called it the brother of the Nile. It represented the border of the Roman Empire, with the Germanic tribes living on the other side ensuring the Romans dare not cross it. The location of the source of the Danube wasn’t even known back then, and Aris- totle believed it emerged somewhere in the Pyrenees… However, one Roman em- peror left traces on the Danube that can still be seen today. Merchants and soldiers crossed the Dan- ube for centuries. The Ottomans set out along the path of its valley in mounting their conquest of Europe. It also played a pivotal role in connecting the industri- al centres of Europe during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Most of the route of the river was controlled by the
pean countries. The Danube is formed at the confluence of the Breg and Brigach streams near Donaueschingen, where the castle park boasts the 19th centu- ry Donauquelle Fountain that symbolis- es the official source of this mighty riv- er. From there its route carries it through Bavaria to northern Austria, then through southern Slovakia before cross- ing the entire length of Hungary from north to south, after which it reaches eastern Croatia. The Danube then makes its way into Serbia, forming part of the country's border with Romania, before heading on to form the border between Romania and Bulgaria. After flowing 2,850 kilometres, the Danube empties its waters into the Black Sea at the point where Romania and Ukraine meet, form- ing a delta that's one of the most beauti- ful natural phenomena and a protected natural area that’s been included on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List since 1991. Over the course of its long history, the Danube has been a place of division, but it has also long been a factor of unifica- tion between nations, history, love and
Budimpešta / Budapest
Danube » Dunav | 85
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