Wiener Neustadt is a self-governed city located in the southern part of the Austrian state of Lower Austria. Situated approximately 50 kilometers south of Vienna, it serves as the seat of the district administration for Wiener Neustadt-Land. The city functions as a major rail hub on the southern railway line and features an extensive network of cycle paths, including segments of the EuroVelo 9 route.
The city has a history spanning over 800 years, having been founded in 1192 using ransom money for King Richard the Lionheart. Historically significant as a center of Habsburg imperial power and military importance, it is also noted as the birthplace of Emperor Maximilian I. Notable historical sites include the Kasematten, which contains Austria's only preserved Strada Coperta (underground defense corridor), and the St. Peter an der Sperr Museum, located in a former monastery.
The city center features prominent landmarks such as the Cathedral and the Wiener Neustadt City Theatre, which was originally built as a Carmelite convent church. Local culture is reflected in its various festivals, including the Bösendorfer Festival for classical music and the Wortwiege Festival held in the Kasematten. The area also provides access to regional outdoor activities, such as the nearby Hohe Wand Nature Park and various cycling routes leading toward Vienna.