The busy industrial and commercial town of St Pölten, situated 40km/25mi west of Vienna on the left bank of the Traisen, is the largest town and capital of Lower Austria. It is noted for its Baroque architecture; some of the leading Baroque architects and artists, such as Jakob Prandtauer, lived and worked here. During the first four centuries
after the birth of Christ the area which is now St Pölten old town was the Roman town of Aelium Cetium. In the 11th century it received its market rights and in 1159 its town charter. In the 13th century the town, by then the see of a bishop, was extended in the area where the Rathausplatz now lies, and remained thus as a royal provincial town until 1860. After having been considerably enlarged as the result of the absorption of various adjoining parishes in 1922 and 1972 St Pölten became the capital of Lower Austria in 1986.
St Pölten has several theatres and museums such as the Lower Austrian State Museum, the Diocese Museum, and a modern art museum. Ratzersdorf Lake offers a bathing pond with a nudist beach, beach volleyball, and miniature golf.
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