Liechtenstein, Vaduz

Vaduz is the capital of the principality of Liechtenstein and the seat of the national parliament. The town, located along the Rhine, has about 5,248 inhabitants, most of whom are Roman Catholic. Its cathedral is the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishop.

While Vaduz is better known internationally, it is actually not the largest town in the principality: neighbouring Schaan has a greater population.

History

Vaduz is said to be mentioned in historic 12th century manuscripts as Farduzes. It is however commonly believed to have been founded in the 13th century by the Counts of Werdenberg. In 1322 a mention of the castle is made, which was sacked by the Swiss in 1499.

Museums

The National Art Gallery as well as the National Museum are located in Vaduz. The art gallery (Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein) is a museum of modern and contemporary art. The building is an architectural landmark built by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo and Kerez.

Tourism

Vaduz has a lively tourist industry, despite being one of the very few capital cities in the world without an airport or railway station. The closest railway station is that of Sargans, a Swiss town roughly 7 km from Vaduz's centre. Vaduz has a very efficient bus network with frequent connections to Sargans and Buchs (in neighbouring Switzerland).

Other information

The Curta mechanical pocket calculator was manufactured here by the company Contina AG Mauren.

Vaduz has also its local football (soccer) club, FC Vaduz which, as the other clubs in Liechtenstein, plays in the Swiss Professional League.