Innviertel

The Innviertel is a fertile region in the western part of Upper Austria, lying between the rivers Salzach, Inn and Danube. It forms one of the four traditional quarters of the state, alongside Hausruckviertel, Mühlviertel and Traunviertel. The landscape is mostly flat to gently rolling, part of the Alpine foothills, and includes the broad Inn valley. Three districts—Braunau am Inn, Ried im Innkreis and Schärding—make up the area. Historically, most of the Innviertel belonged to Bavaria until the 1779 Treaty of Teschen transferred it to Austria. The region’s history is marked by its time under Bavarian rule, including a brief parliamentary experiment in Braunau during the early 18th-century uprising. The Treaty of Teschen ended Bavarian control, though the area changed hands again in 1810 before finally returning to Austria in 1816. The Innviertel retains strong Bavarian cultural influences, visible in its dialect, architecture and traditions. Local sayings and historical rivalries with other parts of Upper Austria add depth to its identity. Visitors find a quiet, well-kept countryside with towns like Schärding known for their Baroque centres. Braunau am Inn, the largest settlement, sits on the border with Germany, while Ried im Innkreis serves as a local hub. The region’s colourful house facades in the Inn-Salzach style reflect its Bavarian heritage. Rolling farmland and scattered woodlands stretch across the landscape, offering peaceful walks and views of the surrounding hills.