- Lobau
The Lobau is a
floodplain of theDanube located on the northern side of the river inVienna and partly inGroßenzersdorf ,Lower Austria . Notably, it was the site of theBattle of Aspern-Essling in1809 , the first major defeat suffered byNapoléon , which was inflicted on him by an Austrian army led by Archduke Charles, and of theBattle of Wagram , a victory for Napoleon that followed two months later.The "
Donauinsel " (Vienna Danube Island), which was constructed in the 70s and early 80s, is not part of the Lobau, but borders it and is also colloquially sometimes referred to as "Lobau". The Lobau itself is also used as a recreational area and is known as a site ofnudism .But the Lobau is still a habitat of
animal s andplant s threatened byextinction . Thus, it has been a protected area since1978 and has since1996 been a part of theNational park Donau Auen.There is also an oil
harbour on the Danube located in part of the Lobau.Small parts of the Lobau are used by the
Austrian Army as a training ground. Furthermore, it is a source ofgroundwater , which is needed in peak hours (especially during the summer) to provide Vienna withdrinking water , in addition to the water coming from theAlps through theWiener Hochquellenwasserleitung .ee also
*
Georges Mouton , comte de LobauExternal links
* [http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.l/l785000.htm AEIOU Encyclopedia of Austria]
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