Situated at the far
western tip of Austria, the scenery of the Vorarlberg
is dramatically diverse. The glaciers of the Silvretta
mountain ranges drop dramatically to the shores of Lake
Constance with its lush vegetation. Vorarlbergers
speak a dialect close to Swiss German, in 1918 they declared independence
and requested union with Switzerland but this was refused by the
Allied Powers.
Bregenz
Bregenz in the summer lends itself to bicycle tours, swimming, sailing
or sightseeing, whereas during the winter season visitors populate
the numerous slopes and hiking trails of the Vorarlberg.
The town is noted for its Upper City with the St
Martinstrum (St Martin’s Tower), the world’s
largest floating stage for summer opera productions, the Congress
Centre, the Mehrerau Abbey Church, the
Vorarlberger Landesmuseum with its superb 16th-century
paintings and works by late-18th-century artist Angelika
Kauffmann. A cable car runs up to the viewing platform
on Mount Pfänder where one can watch the flight
of birds of prey as well as scenic views over Lake Constance.
Excursions
The historical old quarter of Feldkirch contains
the Cathedral St Nicholas, the Schattenburg
housing the Local History Museum, and the excellent
National Conservatoire. In Levis,
near Feldkirch, the Castle Amberg and the Hospital
should not be missed. Tosters’ sights include the castle ruin
and the St Corneli Church with a 1000-year-old
yew tree. Visitors should pay a visit to the famous Renaissance
palace of Hohenems, the town is also known for
its Jewish Museum and the only Jewish Cemetery
in the Vorarlberg.
A picturesque, completely restored farming village, Schwarzenberg
im Bregenzerwald is the birthplace of the painter Angelika
Kauffmann, the Landesmuseum and the church
there are worth a visit. Ischgl is an attractive
unsophisticated Tirolean village, with excellent après-ski
in the winter. |
