Steyr, at the confluence of the Rivers Steyr and Enns, is an old-established focal point of the Austrian iron and steel industry, drawing much of its supply of ore from the Erzberg at Eisenerz 100km/60mi away. The most important industrial firm in the town is the Steyr- Daimler-Puch AG. In 980 the Ottokars - the Margraves and later Dukes of
Styria - built the "Styraburg" (now Schloss Lamberg) at the confluence of the Rivers Enns and Steyr, and the town subsequently grew up around it and the parish church. In 1287 it was given its municipal charter; a large part of the old town was destroyed by fire in 1727. Josef Werndl (1831-89) inherited his father's business and modernized it, manufactured the breech- loaded rifle and - with his conveyor-belt production methods - made Steyr the "arms factory of Europe". The present day Steyr-Daimler-Puch works (making tractors, trucks, hunting rifles, etc.) developed from his original factory.
Steyr is famous for its historic town center around the "Stadtplatz" (town square). This area has been very well preserved for several hundred years. The Bummerlhaus is considered one of the finest pieces of Gothic architecture for its size in Central Europe.
The city is rich in cultural and architectural heritage, which attracts tourists to enjoy the modern amenities and ancient city combination.
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