tower in remembrance." One of the faces of the tower is set permanently to 11:45 to commemorate the hour of the citizens' victory. Ybbsturm and Stadttor (Ybbs Tower and City Gate): Another of Waidhofen's towers, the Ybbsturm is the only surviving medieval gate tower in the city walls. The city's motto is inscribed here in Latin: Ferrum chalybsque urbis nutrimenta – "Iron and Steel Nourish the City." Mariensäule: This baroque column and figure of the Virgin Mary in the center of the city was constructed in 1665 as a symbol of the Counter-Reformation. Schwarzbachviadukt: This historic bridge from the late nineteenth century crosses the valley of the Schwarzbach (Black Stream) just outside the city center. It is used by the narrow-gauge Ybbstalbahn (Ybbs Valley Railway), which formerly ran from Waidhofen to Lunz am See, but now provides a shortened service across the city. Krautberg: This small hill just a short walk from town, easily identifiable by its large white cross, offers a view of the old city. From the Stadt train station on Reichenauer Strasse, cross the train tracks and climb the path called the Reinhold Klaus Weg. Wallfahrtskirche Basilika Sonntagberg: There is a large and important Catholic pilgrimage site located just north of Waidhofen. The baroque church, built in 1706–1732, is clearly visible across the surrounding area and has had the status of a minor basilica since 1964. It is possible to walk there from Waidhofen (about a 10 km walk), but it is quicker to take a short train ride to Rosenau and the hike the remaining 5 km to the peak and the church. People Melanie Klaffner, born there Ulrich Küchl, lived there (de) Rainer Küchl, born there Alexander Lernet-Holenia, lived there Ferdinand Andri, born there Frieda Berryhill, born there Wolfgang Sobotka, politician (ÖVP) and the President of the Austrian National Council; former Austrian Minister of Interior - born there Richard Lietz, racing driver - born there John Irving The American novelist John Irving chose Waidhofen an der Ybbs and Vienna as the main settings of his early novel Setting Free the Bears. Adolf Hitler as an honorary citizen It took until May 2011 for the municipal council of Waidhofen an der Ybbs to finally vote in favour of repealing Adolf Hitler's honorary citizenship. Twin cities Tuttlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Bischofszell, Thurgau, Switzerland See also Ybbs References External links Waidhofen an der Ybbs homepage Cities and towns in