Liechtenstein is a tiny country landlocked by the countries of Switzerland and Austria and has for years been passed off as a brief stopover between the two countries or visited en route. This is hardly surprising as the country is so small that people do not believe that it could offer some great tourist ventures. However, this is quite the wrong notion, as Liechtenstein has some interesting places to see and some fabulous outdoor activities to indulge in. It is also the only country that speaks German without actually being a part of Germany. Here I shall talk about Vaduz, the capital city of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Situated along the Rhine, Vaduz is the capital and the seat of the national parliament though in size it is second to Schaan, a neighboring city. Vaduz is said to have been founded in the thirteenth century, but it is believed to be mentioned about in the 12th century manuscripts. The lush green environment and the magnificent Alps in the background make Vaduz a fascinating city with endless scenic beauty continuing for miles on end. The eminent Vaduz Castle atop a hill in the heart of the city is the most famous landmark of the capital. The castle has been home to Liechtenstein’s royal family for centuries and is still today occupied by the prince of Liechtenstein.
The Vaduz Castle is visible from all parts of the city, basking in its historical magnificence. However, it is not open to the public and so one has to be satisfied looking at its elegant beauty from a distance. The other landmarks of the city include the City Hall in the Rathausplatz (town square) and the Government House both of which depict the architecture of their periods of construction. In the city centre lies the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein or the National Art Gallery, which displays the works of modern and contemporary artists. Other museums of interest in the city are the Liechtenstein National Museum, which is a natural history museum, Liechtenstein Landesmuseum, the Postage Stamp Museum and the Ski Museum.
Also one can explore the castle ruins of Wildschloss, once a beautiful chateau, now an archeological site. The bordering village of Triesen offers hiking opportunities besides there are some old houses and chapels that can be seen here. Vaduz has a handful of quality restaurants in the city and one can also look up some of the small but interesting shops that can be found here. The best way to visit Vaduz is to either drive to the place or travel by bus, as the city has no airport and nor does it have a railway station. However, this should not disappoint you, as the city of Vaduz is truly enchanting with its splendid views and is certainly worth a visit.
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