Juden auf der Oberen Donau: Transport und Verkehr im Österreich des frühen 18. Jahrhunderts

Abstract The toll registers of Aschach in Upper Austria covering the period from 1627 to 1775 are an outstanding series of sources for the history of transport and trade in the early modern Upper Danube basin. At the Aschach toll station each vessel shipping up- and downstream the Danube as the most important traffic route in the Upper-German and Austrian area had to pay dues. The information comprised in the toll registers enables us to reconstruct the movement of goods and people between the Austrian Danube region and its neighbouring countries. This study analyzes the significances of the Upper Danube as a traffic route for Jews in the 1st half of the 18th century. Especially the Viennese Court Jews used the waterway for the supply of the Imperial army in Hungary with provisions and other military goods. They also received foodstuff, beverages and other consumer products via the Danube. Jewish traders, especially from Prague, used the Danube for their frequent journeys to the fairs in Linz, whereas other Jewish travelers on their way to Vienna or even further frequently embarked on vessels in Regensburg.