The charming medieval town 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 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 center
Its historic center 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 chunks 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
Feldkirch historic center is often bustling with shoppers. Twice a week, there is a market day in Feldkirch. Every Tuesday and Saturday, Marktgasse (Market Street) fills up with shoppers and sales booths, just as in the Middle Ages. Furthermore, the 1st and 3rd Saturday 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 a cup of coffee and people watching.
Montforthaus
Feldkirch is not only about historic buildings, but also about modern architecture. In the southeastern corner, below the castle, the architectural masterpiece Montforthaus stands out. The Montforthaus is the town’s cultural center and stages a variety of 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 center and Schattenburg Castle. 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. Schattenburg 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. Schattenburg has an interesting museum devoted to life at the castle over the centuries. Moreover, a great deal of the interior is still original.
Himalayan serenity
On the hill, just above the town, you find the Tashi Rabten Buddhist Monastery. Those looking for Himalayan serenity, can experience a Buddhist philosophy and meditation. The link between Buddhism and beautiful mountain scenery is, after all, not completely unfamiliar. Around the stupa, colorful prayer flags waving 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 natural surroundings and large enclosures. This gives you a great opportunity to observe the 21 species of animals that live in the park. Moreover, the park has free entry.
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Posted in:
Snow much fun in Zillertal
The first stop on my winter tour through Austria by train was Zillertal, Tyrol. After a few days in wonderful Vienna I was looking forward to hitting the slopes. Late February the winter had taken a firm hold on the Austrian Alps and there was snow in abundance. Chilly but great fun The skiing conditions […]
-
Temperatures fall and the days get shorter, but Vienna never falls asleep. The weather can vary between 10 °C and -15 °C in January. Within a few days you can experience sun from a clear blue sky to bitterly cold snowstorms. Nonetheless, there are plenty of activities to enjoy whatever nature throws at you. Furthermore, […]
-
All the airports in Austria are well connected to major cities and central trains stations. We have put together a list of cool ski resorts that are easily reachable by train together including some info on how to get to get there from the airport. Moreover, many ski resorts offer inexpensive or even free transfer […]
-
Our first visit to Burg Deutschlandsberg was on a gray and cloudy day, which gave the castle a slightly scary appearance. This is probably the meaning of a castle anyway. We later visited the castle several times on lovely sunny summer days, when it showcases itself from a more welcoming side. Hotel, restaurant and museum […]
-
Posted in:
Salzkammergut – Austria in miniature
The contrasts in the Salzkammergut region are large. Not only because the landscape alternates between massive mountain ranges, glaciers, lush valleys and a plethora of lakes. But also, because the region offers a rich cultural landscape that has been characterized by more than 5,000 years of human activity. The Salzkammergut holiday region covers 58 municipalities […]
-
Weinebene is the highest point (1668 m / 5472 ft) in the pass over the Koralpen, where the east-west road between Deutschlandsberg in Styria and Wolfsberg in Carinthia crosses over. Instead of pointed peaks, the ridges along the mountain range are wide and rounded. We have tested a few of the easier hiking opportunities that […]
