Bludenz

Bludenz lies at the eastern end of the Walgau, the broad valley of the Ill river, where steep valleys open from the south, east and west. To the south, the Montafon leads up to the Silvretta; to the east, the Klostertal climbs toward the Arlberg pass and Zürs; to the south-west, the Brandnertal rises to the Lünersee and the Rätikon. The position at the meeting point of these valleys has made Bludenz a crossroads for centuries, and it remains the main junction for roads and railways in southern Vorarlberg.

Early documents mention the settlement in the Roman and early Middle Ages, and city rights followed in the Middle Ages; the medieval City grew from a market. The Counts of Werdenberg and later the Habsburgs held the town, and a medieval centre grew with arcaded streets, a castle and fortifications. A fire in 1491 destroyed much of the old town, and the present layout dates from the rebuilding afterwards. Today the Altstadt is compact, with pastel façades, a long pedestrian street and a number of small cafes and shops. The Oberes Tor, the upper gate, and a defensive tower recall the medieval walls, and Schloss Gayenhofen, an eighteenth-century residence in the town, houses cultural events.

The Parish Church of St. Laurentius, with its Gothic structure and a tower visible across the old town, is the main church. Inside, Gothic and Baroque features sit together. The town Museum covers local history, including the rise of industry. In the nineteenth century, Bludenz grew through textiles, timber and paper, and in 1900 a chocolate factory opened here that later produced the Milka brand, still an important employer. Visitors with a sweet tooth can look for local chocolate in the shops.

Mountains are the main attraction. The Muttersberg, just above the town, is reached by a cable car and gives views over the Walgau and the surrounding mountains; trails of various lengths lead to alpine pastures, and in winter a toboggan run and walking paths operate. The Brandnertal, a short drive away, offers the Dorfbahn lift and a family ski area, and the Lünersee, a high mountain lake, can be reached by cable car for a walk. The Montafon has the Silvretta area, and the Klostertal provides access to the Arlberg ski region, including Zürs and Lech. In the Three Valleys around it, with the Montafon Valley, Klostertal Valley and Brandnertal Valley, Bludenz works as a base for skiing, even if the town itself has no large ski area.

Summer activities include hiking, cycling and swimming. The Alvierbad, an outdoor pool at the foot of the mountains, is a favourite on hot days. The Ill River has a cycle path leading to Feldkirch and the Rhine valley, and mountain bike routes climb into the valleys. A small animal park, Tierwelten Bludenz, is popular with families. In August, Music events and a Festival of contemporary music bring performers to the town. Cultural life also includes concerts, markets and local festivals.

Food is Vorarlberg cooking. Käsknöpfle, cheese dumplings with fried onions, and Riebel, a cornmeal dish served with apple compote, are regional classics, and local cheeses from the Alpine pastures are widely available. Bakeries sell pastries, and restaurants in the old town mix traditional dishes with modern ones.

The best time to visit is from December to March for skiing in the nearby areas, and from June to September for walking and cycling. March has the best snow in the high areas, and December brings Advent markets. August is the warmest month. May and autumn are quiet and pleasant.

Getting there is simple. Bludenz is on the main railway line through the Arlberg, with direct trains from Zurich in about two hours, from Munich in about four hours and from Vienna in about eight hours. By car, the A14 Rheintal Autobahn ends near the town, from where the Arlberg expressway leads to Tyrol. The nearby Germany border is about an hour away. Local buses connect with the valleys and ski areas, and the ski bus network runs in winter.