According to Wholevehicles, Liechtenstein is so compact and elegant that it seems that the sights are at every step. So it is: the medieval streets are full of churches, museums and photogenic houses, above the roofs of which castles and mountains rise. The most famous architectural monument is the majestic Vaduz Castle, built in the 12th-14th centuries and still remaining the residence of the ruling dynasty.
They are only allowed inside the castle at certain hours: tour groups are shown the best of the 130 rooms and a luxurious art gallery owned by the prince. But outside you can walk at any time, admiring the textbook Alpine panorama.
Another ancient fortress is Gutenberg, surrounded by meadows and vineyards. It survived many wars and fires, but at the beginning of the 20th century it was restored by the sculptor Reinberger, and after that by the royal family. Only the lower courtyard and the ruins of the church are open to visitors, but if you’re lucky, you can get to one of the cultural events of Balzers, which is the place in the solemn castle halls.
The capital is notable for the Cathedral with a laconic facade and a bell tower with a bright red and blue clock and an elegant Gothic spire. The Gasthof Lowen has been in operation since the 14th century, and the neo-baroque Government House pretends to be ancient, but was built in the 20th century.
Triesen’s calling card is the Three Sisters mountain separating Liechtenstein from Austria. The highest of the peaks, resembling a crown, reaches 2053 m, gothic ruins can be seen on the peaks, steep slopes are good for trekking, hiking and rock climbing.
In Schellenberg, it is worth taking a look at the ruins of a knight’s fortress, the wooden Biedermann House, the Church of the Virgin Mary Immaculate and the chapel of St. George. In Shan, the bell tower of the Church of St. Lawrence, built in 1100, and the Church of St. Peter, one of the oldest in Europe, dating back to the 5th-6th centuries, have been preserved.
The most interesting museums are based in Vaduz: the Liechtenstein Museum of Art with a collection of modern art, the National (off. site in English) with historical and folklore expositions, postal (Städl, 37) with a unique collection of stamps, and even ski (Fabrikstrasse, 5) – where well without him in a mountainous country!
5 things to do in Liechtenstein
- Get into one of the medieval castles: in Vaduz- with a guided tour or during the August feast, in Gutenberg – for the celebration of the Balzer community.
- Conquer the slopes of Malbun, and then warm up with mulled wine in a high-altitude panoramic restaurant.
- Fork out for an old stamp, inspired by the expositions of the postal museum.
- Compare Liechtenstein fondue with Swiss fondue and taste the local Saukerkas cheese.
- Pull the cows by the bells on the horns at the autumn Alpabfart festival and manage not to leave the next wine festival “on the horns”.
- Are there tours Switzerland – Liechtenstein
Holidays and events
The main national holiday of Liechtenstein is celebrated on August 15 – it was then that the country gained sovereignty. On this day, guests and residents of the principality can freely get into the garden of Vaduz Castle: outdoor tables are bursting with cheeses and wines from the princely cellars, music rumbles everywhere, and fireworks soar into the sky in the evening. On February 14, they congratulate Prince Hans-Adam on his birthday, and at the same time give each other “valentines”.
In June, there is a music festival of fire brigades (very original!), and in July – Guitar Days with concerts and master classes.
Summer in Liechtenstein is one continuous holiday: the film festival in Vaduz, international seminars of winemakers, the donkey festival in Malbun, celebrations in honor of shepherds and winegrowers – you just have time to change locations. In February they have fun at a masquerade in Eschen, in May they listen to orchestras in Mauren.
Before Lent, they see off the winter with plentiful meals and costumed processions, and Alpabfart marks the end of autumn, when colorfully dressed cows and sheep return to their stalls from freezing meadows. Well, what is Europe without New Year and Christmas: the toy cities of Liechtenstein, sparkling with lights of illumination surrounded by mountains, are an incredible sight.
