Villach - Villach

Villach with the Landskron castle ruins
Villach
federal stateCarinthia
Residents
61.879 (2018)
height
501 m
Tourist info webRegion Villach Tourism
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location
Location map of Austria
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Villach

Villach (Slovenian: Beljak; Italian: Villacco) is a city in Southern Carinthia.

background

Villach is the second largest city in Carinthia. In Villach, the proximity to prevails Slovenia and Italy a very cosmopolitan climate. Carinthia's largest river, the Outside.

The city is particularly known for the Villach Carnival and the Villach Church Day. Villach turns into a fool's stronghold during carnival and the television recording of a meeting, the Villach Carnival Guild, is the most-watched TV event in Austria every year. During the carnival, the rivalry for the state capital also becomes Klagenfurt clear. Because almost nobody is more targeted at the carnival session than the people of Klagenfurt. The residents of Villach therefore like to refer to their city as the "secret capital of Carinthia" because of the large public events in the Drau city.

The rivalry between Villach and Klagenfurt is particularly evident among the Carinthian derbies visible; these are the ice hockey games between the VSV and the KAC. Ice hockey is much more important than football in Carinthia.

getting there

Map of Villach

Villach is one of the most important transport hubs in Austria. This is where motorways and trains from Vienna, Italy, Slovenia, Germany and western Austria meet.

By plane

Arriving by plane is via the Klagenfurt Airport possible. Of Klagenfurt Trains run regularly to Villach.

Another arrival option is the airport in Ljubljana, from where you can also reach Villach by train.

Both airports have only a small number of scheduled flights, which is why many Carinthians avoid flights to Salzburg, Munich and Vienna.

By train

At the Villacher 1 Central Station withstand trains Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Salzburg and Vienna. With regional trains, Villach is also well connected with the state capital Klagenfurt. The main train station in Villach is very close to the center. Opposite is the bus station. Public buses run in the immediate vicinity within the city.

By bus

The bus station in Villach is located directly opposite the main train station. The ÖBB Intercitybus runs daily between Venice - Udine - Villach - Klagenfurt as well as between Trieste and Villach. The comfortable double-decker bus takes you directly to Austria. In Villach the ÖBB Intercitybus stops right in front of the main train station. https://www.obb-italia.com/ab-italien/oebb-intercitybus.html

  • There you have connections to the trains to Vienna and Salzburg.
  • It is possible to travel to Villach by bus from Vienna - Klagenfurt - Lienz.
  • With the ÖBB Intercity you can travel every 2 hours from Vienna via Klagenfurt to Villach and back.
  • The ÖBB Railjet covers the distance between Vienna Central Station and Klagenfurt in 3 hours 55 minutes.

In the street

The Tauern Autobahn (A10) meet in Villach Salzburg, the Südautobahn (A2) Vienna and Graz or Italy Tarvisio, Udine and the Karawanken motorway (A11) Slovenia. If you want to go to the center, you either take the Villach - Ossiacher See (A10) exit or the Villach - Faaker See (A2) exit. If you come from the A11, change briefly to the A10 or A2 (towards Italy) and then take one of the two exits.

By boat

Shipping in Villach auf der Drau will be discontinued from September 2019. On the nearby Ossiachersee, a boat trip at the 1st boat station in St.Andrä, Süduferstraße 65 in 9523 Landskron is highly recommended. The timetable for the Ossiachersee shipping can be found at https://www.ossiachersee-schifffahrt.at/fahrplan

By bicycle

mobility

Driving a car in Villach can be very nerve-wracking. In the center in particular, progress is very slow in the morning and in the late afternoon. In addition, all parking spaces in the center are short-term parking zones that are subject to charges. However, there are several parking spaces where you can park longer. These are expensive. A good alternative is the Park & ​​Ride - the Willroider car park on Drauboden - above the train station. You can park for free here. If you want to go to this parking lot, coming from Ossiacherzeile, you drive up to the right after the train station. If you come from the north bypass, you have to turn left in front of the train station. From here you can walk to the center in about 15 minutes. In Villach you can get around publicly with line 10, which leaves the old town every half hour. You can commute between the main train station and the Westbahnhof by train.

Tourist Attractions

Churches

  • City parish church Sankt Jakob. The Jakobskirche is located in the center of Villach, on the Kirchenplatz. Inside the church there is the high hall with the beautiful Mesh rib vault many works of art, like that Renaissance pulpit, which dates from the Protestant era of the church, a rococo high altar, the grave chapel and grave monuments of the Khevenhüller family and a late Gothic one Christopher fresco. The church is also interesting because of its tower. In the style of the Italian Campanile this was originally free and was only later connected to the church. If you want to climb the highest tower in Carinthia, at 94 meters, over 240 steps, you can enjoy the wonderful view over the charming old town of Villach to the fullest. You can visit the city parish tower from May to October.Open: May October: Mon - Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., June - August: Mon - Sat 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.Price: Admission: 1.80 euros. The church itself can be visited all year round and of course free of charge.
  • Nikolaikirche. If you cross the Drau over the city bridge, you will reach the Nikolaiplatz with inviting street cafes, a showcase with a miniature city model of Villach from around 1649 and the bronze sculpture of a fool - the symbol for the Villach carnival, which is well-known beyond the country's borders. In front of the neo-Gothic Nikolaikirche with the Franciscan monastery founded in 1629, another statue of "St. Francis of Assisi" adorns the forecourt.
  • 1  Heiligenkreuz Church, Ossiacher line 41. The Heiligenkreuz Church is the most important sacred baroque building in Carinthia. The church can be visited all year round. It is only reserved for church visitors during services (Sun 9.00 a.m.).
  • 2  Evangelical church in the city park, Hohenheimstrasse 3. This church should be mentioned here because Villach has a high percentage of Protestant population. Evangelical churches are always kept a bit simpler, but from the outside this church is also quite handsome.
  • 3 Pilgrimage Church of Maria Gail

Castles, chateaux and palaces

  • Landskron castle ruins
  • The 4 Landskron castle ruins is located on the west bay of the Ossiacher See in the Landskron district. This castle is particularly popular because of the eagle observatory. Flight demonstrations take place here daily in summer. From the Landskron castle ruins, you can also start hiking in the surrounding area. Air shows take place daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in May, June and September and daily at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. in July and August. Entry to the castle ruins is free. However, if you want to drive to the castle, you have to pay a toll of 2 euros.

Buildings

  • Congress Center Villach. Both the new Congress Hotel as well as the Congress Center set new accents in Villach. The Congress Center with its distinctive red cube not only offers space for meetings, but is also home to cultural and social events. Carinthia's largest and well-known music festival, the Carinthian summer and the popular ones Carnival sessions, Theatrical performances and balls take place here.
Congress hotel & congress center

Monuments

  • Holy Trinity Column. The Trinity Column is in the upper third of the slightly rising main square and dates from 1739, from which the city of Villach hoped for heavenly protection. Later she was in Memory of the plague the statues of Maria, the holy Florian and St. Rochus, the Plague patron saint, added.
  • Detour to the old city wall. The Widmanngasse, the former market center of the city, flows up into the Hans Gasser Platzwith a monument to the Austrian By sculptor Hans Gasser and several magnificent houses from the turn of the century (19th / 20th century). The old city wall is a special piece of Villach's history. The old curtain wall could not withstand the earthquake in 1348. It was later renovated until it was almost completely demolished under French sovereignty. The part of the old city wall, which is still well preserved after the redesign of the square, is the massive one Bastion tower. A small bridge takes you to the gate. Here are some flak bullets behind a grille and a memorial plaque and exhibits of the Museum of the city of Villach. Via the Schanzgasse going off to the right, you get back to Widmanngasse.

Museums

  • 5  Museum of the city of Villach, Widmanngasse 38. Tel.: 43 (0) 4242 2053535. Exhibits dealing with the history and art of Villach are shown here.Open: May 2 to October 31: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
  • 6  Vehicle museum, Ferdinand-Wedenig-Straße 9, 9500 Villach-Zauchen. Tel.: 43(0)676 4007125. There are 260 everyday vehicles built between 1927 and 1990.Open: daily 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
  • 8  Villach clock museum, Ferdinand-Wedenig-Straße 9, 9500 Villach-Zauchen. Tel.: 43 (0)676 4007125. The watchmaker, Mr. Rudolf Pirker senior, guides you through the exhibition "Watches through the Centuries". Clocks and chronometers from centuries past are exhibited here. Expensive one-offs, such as the pocket watch from Gutkaes and Lange - founders of the Glashütte watch manufacturers, Glashütte aviator chronographs, column clocks and rare three-quarter striking mechanisms. Ship chronometers, compasses and sextants for navigation on the high seas can also be viewed.
  • 9  Villach Radio Museum, Ferdinand-Wedenig-Straße 9, 9500 Villach-Zauchen. Tel.: 43 (0)676 4007125. There is everything here that makes the heart of a transistor beat faster. From the detector receiver of the 1920s, the first tube radios with loudspeakers to VHF and transistor radios. Furthermore, the development of the hobby film camera through the decades is presented with exclusive individual pieces.
  • 10  TAF-TIMER car and motorcycle museum, Udinestrasse 43, 9500 Villach. Tel.: 43 (0)664 7806600. An insider tip for all technology and car fans. Mercedes Evo2, ChevroletC10, rare oldtimers / youngtimers, around 250 historical and current cars can be admired on an area of ​​more than 4000 m².

Streets and squares

Villach main square
Paracelsus plaque house 18
  • main square. The Villach main square dominates the center. The main square has been the city's lifeline since the middle of the 12th century; Fairs and markets were held here. The war has left visible traces, because a number of post-war buildings are now closing the gaps between the historical facades. The main bib has been since 1988 Foot walker zone, which brought a lot of quality of life and the inviting street cafes fill up here on warm sunny days. Nobody here can escape the southern flair of "Italianita" on the main square. It's a very long place. There are numerous castle houses on the main square. A highlight is house number 18, the Paracelsushof with a plaque to the famous Doctor, alchemist and philosopher Paracelus. Here father and son - Wilhem and Theophrastus von Hohenheim are immortalized on the east side in marble medallions.

Parks

  • Villacher Alpe. The Villacher Alpe (Dobratsch) as a whole is a beautiful nature park. Some time ago the ski lifts were removed and since then the mountain has been left to nature again. The people of Villach use this nearby destination for relaxing walks in summer and for cross-country skiing in winter.

various

  • Landskron Castle Ruins Monkey Park. The monkey park is right next to the Landskron castle ruins. The Japanese macaques live in an outdoor enclosure. This park became famous shortly after its opening when all the monkeys managed to escape. The whole of Carinthia was then on the move and wanted to see the monkeys "in the wild". However, it was possible to recapture all the monkeys.
  • 12  Adler Arena castle ruins Landskron. Tel.: 43 4242 42888, 43 664 35 76 34 1 (mobile). The bird of prey observatory on the Landskron castle ruins is a summer excursion destination. In a 40-minute demonstration, you will experience birds of prey flying freely in the sky - eagles, buzzards, kites, hawks, sparrowhawks and old-world vultures - in the ascent of the famous castle. After breathtaking flights, the birds return to the falconer. The behavior and habits of these animals, some of which are threatened, are explained in detail here.Open: Air show times: April 21st - June 30th Mon - Fri 11.00 a.m. 2.30 p.m., Sun public holidays 11.00 a.m., 2.30 p.m. 4.30 p.m.Price: € 6.50 for children (6-14); Adults € 13 or reductions on request.

activities

  • hike

The Dobratsch At 2166 m above sea level, it is ideal for hiking, but other mountains and hills in the area also invite you to hike. The Carinthian lakes, over 300 mountain peaks, above all the Großglockner and perhaps the Adriatic Sea can be admired from the summit when the weather is clear. The Dobratsch Nature Park is 7250 hectares in size and is a model region for near-natural tourism, sustainable development, protection, and the promotion of nature Increase in regional added value. These are the 4 pillars on which the nature park is built. Unique in Europe, the former ski area was dismantled in 2002 and the mountain returned to nature. To protect the flora and fauna as well as the drinking water of the nature park communities. Since then, "Winter in the Dobratsch Nature Park" has been inspiring with gentle, natural use, such as ski tours and winter hiking. Peace and quiet and enjoyment of nature, instead of technology and artificial snow! The nature park communities are connected Arnoldstein, Bad Bleiberg, Nötsch in the Gailtal and the stature city Villach through the Dobratsch circular hiking trail. A long-distance hiking trail that brings hikers closer to the unique wealth of the region in four daily stages. Lookout points are: the viewing platform Sky Walk in the Red wall at parking lot 6 (1483 m) and the Chamois and summit view above the Rosstratte (1732 m) with relaxation loungers. The modern info point in the 10-person hut at (1956 m) offers great views of today's nature reserve. The Dobratsch is the basis of the drinking water supply for the four surrounding nature park communities. Nature is here for everyone and is therefore particularly protected. In 1942 the Dobratsch was created as the first nature reserve in Carinthia.

  • Cross-country skiing

There is a wonderful natural trail on the Dobratsch, which is groomed when there is enough snow. At the ski jump in Villach there is a cross-country ski run that can be helped with artificial snow if there is not enough snow.

  • Ice skating

Around Villach there are some small lakes that are suitable for ice skating (for example the Vassacher See). There is also a small artificial ice rink on Rathausplatz that can be used free of charge.

  • ice Hockey

If you want to play ice hockey actively, you can do so at Lake Vassach, for example. If you would like to watch an ice hockey game, you can do so in the Villach town hall on Tiroler Straße. This is where Villacher SV plays its home games. In the case of derbies against Klagenfurt, you should get your tickets in good time. Info: EC VSV

shop

In Villach, the area around the main square, Postgasse and Italienerstraße is particularly suitable for shopping. You can find everything you need in Villach. There are enough food markets and shops in all parts of the city.

  • 1  Atrio, Kärntner Strasse 34. The largest shopping center is located at the intersection of the federal highways B 83 (Kärntner Straße) and B 86 (Villacher Straße) with sufficient free parking spaces on the southern edge of the city, near the motorway exit Villach Warmbad, towards Italy.
  • 2  NEW PURCHASE Villach, Bruno-Kreisky-Strasse 25. NEUKAUF Villach is a shopping center with 500 free parking spaces. There are 23 shops there and offer maximum selection.Open: Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 7.30 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

kitchen

Villacher cake

The Villacher cake is decorated with the coat of arms of the city of Villach, the eagle's claw. It consists of an almond and chocolate mass with marzipan, sour cherries and various liqueurs.

Cheap

medium

  • 2  Villacher brewery, Bahnhofstrasse 8. Tel.: 43 (0)4242 242220. Good regional specialties are offered in the Brauhof. You can also get the Villacher beer here directly from the brewery.
  • 3  City landlord Kramer, Italienerstrasse 14. Tel.: 43 (0)4242 24619. Regional and Austrian dishes are offered at the Kramer. The food is excellent here and at a reasonable price.
  • 4  Delphi restaurant, Lederergasse 5. Tel.: 43 (0)4242 287857. Greek restaurant right in the center ... A loving family business since 1996, where the lamb is particularly recommended.
  • 5  star, Kaiser-Josef-Platz 5, 9500 Villach. Tel.: 43 4242-24755. Open: Mon - Thu 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m., Fri 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m., Sat 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.

Upscale

  • 7  Steakhouse Oxerei, Widmanngasse 30, 9500 Villach. Tel.: 43 (0)4242 215665. Steak & burger meet pasta & pesce.Open: Tue - Fri 5 p.m. - 12 a.m., Sat 12 p.m. - 12 a.m., kitchen: always until 11 p.m.

nightlife

Villach is probably the best city for going out in Carinthia. Most of it happens in the area around the main square (with all its side streets). There are many bars in the Lederergasse.

Cheap

medium

  • 8  Café Per You, Rathausplatz 1. Tel.: 43 (0)4242 219900. The Per Du is mainly suitable for drinking. There is a wide range of alcoholic beverages and delicious cocktails are also available.Open: Mon - Sat 8.30 a.m. - 2.00 a.m., Sun 6.00 p.m. - midnight.

Upscale

  • Soho bar, Freihausgasse 13. The Soho Bar is a cocktail bar. The bar is very comfortably furnished and there is a good selection of cocktails. The prices are reasonable for a cocktail bar.

accommodation

  • 3  Hotel eduCARE ****, Eichrainweg 7-9, 9521 meeting near Villach. Tel.: 43 4248 29777. Check-in: 15:00.Check-out: 11:00.last change: Oct. 2020

Learn

Excellent language courses are offered by: the vocational training institute (bfi) in the Parkhotel https://www.bfi-kaernten.at/aut_de_html-5-standorte.php?pageId=bfi-villach-40 or the Volkshochschule Villach (VHS) in the Chamber of Labor. Info: VHS Carinthia.

You can acquire special knowledge of Italian at the Dante Alighieri Society in Villach at Postgasse 8/2. http://www.dante-villach.at/

Work

In addition to the regional hospital, the city's largest employer is Infineon Technologies Austria AG (formerly Siemens), https://www.infineon.com/cms/austria/de/inovationsfabrik-4.0/

The company operates in the semiconductor industry and is located in the south of Villach in the Perau district, bordering the Gail River. Infineon Technologies Austria is a combination of innovative research and qualitative high quality production, which Infineon offers with its semiconductor production (chips for cars, etc.) and system solutions in technology. Whether in the car, in the smartphone, in industrial electronics or with cash cards and ID cards - Infineon's know-how can be found in many everyday applications.

With 4,201 employees - including over 1,800 in research and development - from around 60 nations, the company achieved sales of 2.9 billion euros in the 2018 financial year. Research expenditure of 498 million euros makes Infineon Austria one of the strongest research companies in Austria.

security

General information

Villach is a very safe city. If you talk to older people, you are often warned not to go to Lederergasse at night. But this seems to be more of a myth from days gone by. Of course, if you mess with drunk people, something can happen, but that doesn't just apply to Lederergasse.

Emergency numbers

  • Fire department: 122
  • Police: 133
  • Ambulance / Emergency Doctor: 144
  • Mountain rescue service: 140
  • Emergency medical services: 141
  • Accident assistance and breakdown assistance: 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
  • Emergency blocking for stolen or lost EC and credit cards: 0800/2048800

health

Practical advice

  • 2  Tourist office of the city of Villach, Bahnhofstrasse 3. Tel.: 43 (0)4242 2052900. Here you will also be helped with finding a room. All Austrian cell phone networks work excellently in Villach. The main post office is right next to Villach's main train station. The post office is also there for you during opening hours in Postgasse, near the Parkhotel. From here you can make phone calls and send faxes.

trips

From Villach you can continue your journey to Slovenia or Italy at. If you want to stay close, it is best to base your trip around the Ossiacher See, the Wörther See or the Faaker See. The Umgebung Valley, Gail Valley and Lesach Valley are also easily accessible from Villach.

A nice day trip by car takes you along the Villach Alpine Road, which is subject to a toll, to the Villacher Alpe in the Dobratsch Nature Park, the mountain of Villach at 2166 m above sea level.

literature

  • Paul Watzlawick

He was born on July 25, 1921 in Villach; † March 31, 2007 in Palo Alto, California, USA.
He was an author and an Austrian-American communication scientist, psychotherapist, sociologist and philosopher. His work has influenced family therapy and general psychotherapy. In the German-speaking countries he became known to a larger audience primarily through his publications on communication theory and radical constructivism. He lived and worked in California, his adopted home. Watzlawick was an inspiring founding member of the P.E.N. Club Liechtenstein and was also culturally involved in other contexts.
https://de.wikiquote.org/wiki/Paul_Watzlawick

Web links

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