Myths and legends - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 1997 - 14 Shilling

The Strudengau is the approx. 25 km long, narrow forested area of ​​the Danube valley, which begins at Dornach (Upper Austria) and ends at the confluence of the Ybbs in Lower Austria with the Danube. To the east join the Nibelungengau and the Wachau. In earlier times, this section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was considered the most dangerous stretch of the river and was named the "Dormitory of Death" by the Danube sailors. The dangerous "whirlpool" dreaded by the ship's crew gave the area its name. Earlier Danube travelers approached the Strudengau, not only did they admire the landscape beauties of this area with admiration, but they also had great anxiety to get through the dangerous shallows, safe and sound. For thousands of years, the Danube has forced itself through the rock massif - the river here is reduced to half its original width. Dangerous rocky reefs create turbulence in the stream, violent roaring and roaring accompanies the natural event. No wonder that the romance of the landscape has always inspired the spirit and mind of the local people to sing and tell, that there was a rich saga treasure there. The legend of the "Donaunixe vom Strudengau" tells of a young girlish mythical creature, a mermaid or Danube female, who lives in the waves of the Danube and a young man who once saved her from ridicule by rough fellows, out of an emergency and danger he had passed through the wild waters of the Danube, saved. But not always the fairytale beautiful mermaids are so friendly. Sometimes a mermaid also chooses a beautiful boy as a lover, and then drags him down into the floods, from which he never rises again. If you would like to set out to experience the Danube Bunt or the Danube female yourself, take advantage of the locations in Strudengau for a wonderful holiday. However, whether a beautiful mermaid will appear, may anyone explore for themselves! Because the passage through the Strudengau was defused in the course of time. Since the construction of the power plant Ybbs-Persenbeug (1958), this point is safe to pass, because by the resulting reservoir the water level was raised by about twelve feet. With the horrors of the "Struden" now no more money to make, but the communities of Strudengau - especially the centuries-old cities of Grein and Ybbs - have recognized the signs of the times and committed to tourism, with such a rich offer for the holiday guest was developed, that no wish remains open. As part of the series "Legends and legends from Austria", Post & Telekom Austria is dedicating a stamp to the "Donaunixe". The brand image shows the mermaid saving a ferryman.