Lobau

National reserve Lobau
Lobau (north of the Danube river) and Vienna Airport in Schwechat
Geography
Location	Wien, Groß-Enzersdorf, Austria
Coordinates	48°11′00″N 16°31′00″E / 48.183333°N 16.516667°E / 48.183333; 16.516667Coordinates: 48°11′00″N 16°31′00″E / 48.183333°N 16.516667°E / 48.183333; 16.516667
Area	22 km2 (8.5 sq mi)
Status	UNESCO's Biosphere reserve

The Lobau is a Vienna floodplain on the northern side of the Danube and partly in Großenzersdorf, Lower Austria. It has been part of the Danube-Auen National Park since 1996 and has been a protected area since 1978. It is used as a recreational area and is known as a site of nudism. There is also an oil harbour, and the Austrian Army used the Lobau as a training ground. In addition to the water coming from the Alps through the Wiener Hochquellenwasserleitung, the Lobau is a source of groundwater for Vienna.

The Donauinsel (Vienna Danube Island) borders the Lobau.

The Lobau was the site of the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809, the first major defeat suffered by Napoléon, which was inflicted on him by an Austrian army led by Archduke Charles, and of the Battle of Wagram, a victory for Napoleon that followed two months later.

During the Oil Campaign of World War II, the Lobau oil refinery was bombed beginning on August 22, 1944.

Some small territories were used by the army for soldier training. The Lobau also has a big impact on tapwater in Vienna itself, since it is one of the sources to provide water to its population.