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Town in Vorarlberg, Austria
Photo: Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author and if you want send me a message. or (rufre@lenz-nenning.at), CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Feldkirch is a historic city in Vorarlberg, Austria. It is on the border to Liechtenstein and can easily be visited on an afternoon. It is nestled in a picturesque place where three valleys meet and includes a well-preserved old town and the dominating edifice of the ancient Schattenburg Castle. While small, it is the best preserved and most scenic of Vorarlberg's cities. Many people make the mistake of passing through Feldkirch on their way to Liechtenstein or Innsbruck without exploring its wonderful charm. Don't make this mistake!
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A 13th-century castle, on a hill to the east of the town and impossible to miss. It was once the seat of the Earls of Montfort. Today there is a local history museum and some restaurants inside.
Dom St. Nikolaus
The foundations of the church date to the 13th century. After suffering severe damage following serious fires, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style in 1478; it considered to be the most significant Gothic church in Vorarlberg.
City gates and defensive towers of the medieval city fortifications have been largely preserved, and are well-worth seeing. The city walls were demolished at the beginning of the 19th century.
Built in 1491 as part of the old city wall. This is also called the 'Salt Gate' (Salztor), as until the turn of the last century salt was stored here.
Cats' Tower
This defensive tower, built in 1507, was once part of the town's fortifications. It is believed to be named after the canons (Katzen) which were kept in the tower, as the targeting devices were shaped like lions' heads. In the early 17th century the building was converted into a bell tower; the current bell was poured in the 19th century and is the largest bell in Vorarlberg. The bell is rung on major holidays and on Fridays at 15:00 (Todesstunde Christi: believed to be the hour of Christ's death).
Thieves' Tower
Built in the 15th century, this was once, as the name suggests, a prison. The city walls which once connected it to the other towers were demolished several decades ago.
Powder Tower
The Pulverturm was built in 1460 and is the oldest of the city's four towers. As the name suggests, gunpowder was stored here. Today the tower is used as a meeting place by a local association.
Mill Tower
Water Tower
This tower was built in 1482, and once had an entrance to the Ill River. This tower now also serves as a meeting place for a local club.
Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium
This building is now a music conservatory, but it used to be a Jesuit College. Arthur Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes, once was a boarder here, and the school was also mentioned in Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain.
Ruine Tosters / Tostnerburg
Built in about 1260 by the Counts of Montfort, the castle has been abandoned since 1616. The ruins of the primary defensive tower (Bergfried) as well as parts of the palace are still standing, and are a favourite destination for hikers.
Alte Pfarrkirche St. Corneli
A 12th-century Romanesque church, with foundations dating to the 11th century. By the northern wall of the cemetery is a thousand-year-old tree – the oldest tree in Vorarlberg and one of the oldest in Austria, with a circumference of 5 metres. The tree figures in a number of local legends, and was believed to have healing properties.
Johanneskirche
This former church, first built in the 13th century and modified in the 17th century, is now used as a venue for contemporary art installation pieces.
Hosts exhibits of contemporary modern art.
This former villa serves as a venue for exhibiting the work of a collective of regional artists. As of 2019 about 50 artists participate.
Lichtstadt Light Festival
At the light art festival, international artists fill the old inner city of Feldkirch with light objects, projections and sculptures. Its last edition was held in October 2023. The festival takes place every other year. In other years, its "Spotlight" event focuses on an artist or a group of artists. The next edition of “Spotlight” will take place from 9 to 12 October 2024.
Buddhistisches Kloster Letzehof
This Buddhist monastery was founded in 1982 by Geshe Rabten Rinpotsche, on the site of a former dairy. Resident monks include Tibetans, Mongolians, and Europeans. The monks hold regular seminars and evening lectures about meditation, and operate a small bookshop (daily 15:00-17:00). Several guest rooms are available for those interested in a meditation retreat.
For six weeks every summer this festival offers numerous concerts, including Sunday morning Jazz concerts as well as such big name acts as Calexico, Heather Nova, Tocotronic, Shout Out Louds, dEUS, Kosheen, Coldcut, and others. Additional highlights include cinema, short films, cabaret performances, poetry slams, quiz programs, fashion shows, and discussion panels.
The venues are completely rebuilt every year; designers are selected via an international architecture competition. Art and fashion competitions also enrich the festival.
Felsenau Public Pool
Built in 1903, this is the oldest continuously-operating public pool in Vorarlberg.
A lovely little zoo where you can see a big deal of animals who are or where living in the Alps, including wolves, Luchse, deer, wild pigs and so on.
The area around Feldkirch offers numerous hiking opportunities, with trails ranging in difficulty from short and easy to challenging full-day treks. Many of the trail heads can be reached by public bus. Some of the more popular routes include the Ardetzenberg, Stadtschrofen, and the Hohes and Niederes Känzele. The tourist office has excellent free hiking maps and can make additional suggestions.
The western-most restaurant in Austria, offers traditional Austrian food.
Offers a range of innovative and creative dishes, with many vegetarian options. Outside seating.
One of the best-known restaurants in Feldkirch, well-known for their giant Schnitzel and other traditional dishes.
Really delicious and great value pasta and pizza, in a cosy restaurant. Outdoor seating available in the summer.
A well-established café.
Also has a full restaurant.
In the city centre. This is a family-operated hotel.
Jugendherberge Feldkirch-Levis
The 700-year-old building is a former infirmary and has been renovated. Open year round, reception 07:00-23:00, no curfew, free Wi-Fi.
Brauerei Frastanz
Located in a historic building, this is where the popular Vorarlberg beer is produced. Brewery tours (in German) are available on request.
Located in the centre of town and renovated in 2012, with numerous shops.
Also has a small restaurant/café, with takeout available.
Market Street
This street is a proper medieval German street, with its arches and covered walkways, and has been used as the town's central market area since the Middle Ages. A number of shops and cafés are located here, which also have outdoor seating during pleasant weather.
Wochenmarkt
Well worth visiting. Vendors offer fresh produce, cheese, and flowers, as well as a large selection of food items imported from Italy and France.
Bauernmarkt
Only local products are sold.
By plane
The closest international airports are in Friedrichshafen (46 km), Zurich (124 km), Innsbruck (154 km), and Munich (223 km).
By train
Feldkirch is well served by regional and long distance trains.
By car
From Germany and Bavaria you will take the Rheintal Autobahn and cross at Lindau and continue southward. From Liechtenstein you head north. From Switzerland you have to cross east over the Rhein.
By bus
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St. Gallen · Regional · ACH
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