The charming medieval town of Feldkirch offers a perfect holiday for the entire family. There are plenty of activities in and around town.
Feldkirch is a historic small town located in Vorarlberg in the far west of Austria, very close to the border of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The beautiful medieval town, which remains well preserved to this day, was mentioned as a town for the first time in 1218.
Historic centre
Its historical centre is small, only about 250 x 250 meters, but interesting. A stroll around the lovely old town takes you through narrow alleys, small squares, and past fascinating facades of medieval houses. Parts of the medieval fortification wall from the 16th century are still visible, even though large parts of the fortifications were torn down over the centuries to facilitate local infrastructure. Entrance to the town was only allowed through 4 gates; Bregenzertor, Bludenzertor, Milltor, and Churertor.
< Click on the images to enlarge >
Market days
Twice a week, there is a market day in Feldkirch. Marktgasse (Market Street) fills up with shoppers and sales booths every Tuesday and Saturday, just as in the Middle Ages. The small streets and alleys offer an intimate atmosphere. Furthermore, on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, there is a farmers market as well. Even if you are not here for shopping, the market days are brilliant for simply enjoying coffee and people-watching.
Montforthaus
Feldkirch is not only about historic buildings but also about modern architecture. The Montforthaus stands out in the southeastern corner below the castle as an architectural masterpiece. This is the town’s cultural centre and stages various cultural events throughout the year. Furthermore, you can also enjoy culinary delights in the top-floor restaurant. It also has an airy terrace, with a lovely view of the town centre and Schattenburg Castle. Finally, you can join a guided tour of the building that unveils some of its secrets.
ADVERTISEMENT
Schattenburg Castle
Schattenburg, a medieval castle and the major landmark of Feldkirch, was built by Count Hugo von Montfort. It is one of Austria’s best-preserved medieval castles. In the 15th century, the castle was involved in several wars. Moreover, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Therefore, Schattenburg has an interesting museum devoted to life in the castle over the centuries. Moreover, a great deal of the interior is still original. Get more info and see more images in our article about the castle.
-
Any historical town with respect for itself should have a castle, and Feldkirch has the Schattenburg. Although there has been documented a settlement on-site for more than 2000 years, the “town” Feldkirch was built together with the castle in the early 13th century. We found the Schattenburg well worth the entrance fee and learned a […]
Himalayan serenity
On the hill, just above the town, you find the Tashi Rabten Buddhist Monastery. Those looking for Himalayan serenity can experience Buddhist philosophy and meditation. The link between Buddhism and beautiful mountain scenery is, after all, not wholly unfamiliar. Around the stupa, colourful prayer flags wave in the wind towards the backdrop of the mountains. If you call ahead a day or two before, you can take a guided tour and attend a meal at the temple.
Wildlife park
On a hill just outside town, there is a lovely wildlife park. Several family-friendly forest trails wind their way through the wildlife park. You can encounter over 140 animals in the park’s natural surroundings and large enclosures. It allows you to observe the 21 species of animals in the park. Moreover, the park has free entry.
-
Austria’s airports are well-connected to major cities and central train stations. Therefore, we have put together a list of excellent ski resorts that are easily reachable by train, including some info on how to get there from the airport. Moreover, many ski resorts offer inexpensive or free transfers to and from the nearest train station […]
-
Hiking in wine regions has become popular in Austria. Many people enjoy the rolling hills and soft landscape as a contrast to the fantastic opportunities for alpine hiking in the Alps. We, therefore, ventured out on a 5.8 km (3.6 mi) long hike in southern Styria through vineyards, forest groves, and open farm landscapes. Nature […]
-
Situated on the banks of Lake Constance, the town of 29.000 inhabitants is a world away from Vienna at the other end of the country. The westernmost state capital of Austria – Bregenz, is best known for its annual theatre festival. However, the city also offers visitors seaside escapes, mountain hiking, and innovative architecture. Nonetheless, […]
-
Time travel a few hundred years back to the Middle age when the entire village was full of people dressed in historical costumes, and armed knights roamed the streets mingling with flame breathers. The Middle Ages come alive at what has become the legendary folk festival in Mauterndorf, an hour’s drive from Salzburg. Every July […]
-
Going on a day trip from Vienna by public transport is easy. Whether you are in Vienna by plane or have driven here by car, you can quickly go on a journey of discovery just outside the city. We have been on 4 fantastic day trips with entirely different experiences, which you can do in […]
-
Austria has short urban funicular railways and longer tracks that take you up the mountains. A funicular railway consists of two vehicles that counterbalance one another rather than independently operated railway cars. Furthermore, they are usually barrier-free and perfect if you are a wheelchair user or travel with a stroller. 1. Hallstatt – Salzbergbahn A […]