Villach (Slovenian: Beljak; Italian: Villacco) is a town in
southern Carinthia. Villach is the second largest city in Carinthia.
In Villach there is a very cosmopolitan climate due to its proximity
to Slovenia and Italy. Carinthia's largest river, the Drau, meanders
through the middle of Villach.
The city is particularly known
for the Villach Carnival and the Villacher Kirchtag. 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. The rivalry with the
state capital Klagenfurt also becomes clear in the carnival season.
Because almost no one is more targeted at the carnival session than
the Klagenfurters. 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 at the Carinthian
derbies; these are the ice hockey games between the VSV and the KAC.
Ice hockey is much more important than football in Carinthia.
Attractions
Churches
City parish church Sankt Jakob. The
Jakobskirche is located in the center of Villach, on the
Kirchenplatz. Inside the church, the high hall with the beautiful
ribbed vault contains many works of art, such as the Renaissance
pulpit, which comes from the Protestant era of the church, a rococo
high altar, the grave chapel and grave monuments of the Khevenhüller
family as well as a late Gothic fresco of Christopherus. 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. Those who want to climb the 240 steps to
climb the highest tower in Carinthia, at 94 meters, 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: Entry: 1.80 euros. The
church itself can be visited all year round and of course free of
charge.
Nikolaikirche. If you cross the Drau river over the city
bridge, you will reach Nikolaiplatz with inviting street cafes, a
display case with a miniature city model of Villach from around 1649
and the bronze sculpture of a fool - the symbol of the Villach
carnival, which is well known beyond the national 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.
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.).
Evangelical Church in the Stadtpark, Hohenheimstrasse 3. This church
should be mentioned here because Villach has a high percentage of
Evangelical population. Evangelical churches are always kept a bit
simpler, but from the outside this church is also quite handsome.
Pilgrimage Church of Maria Gail
Castles, chateaux and palaces
Landskron castle ruins info-edit
The Landskron castle ruins are
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 and the Congress Center are setting new trends in Villach. The
Congress Center with its distinctive red cube not only offers space
for conferences, but is also home to cultural and social events.
Carinthia's largest and well-known music festival, the Carinthian
Summer, and the popular carnival sessions, theater performances and
balls take place here.
Monuments
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, in
memory of the plague, the statues of Mary, St. Florian and St.
Rochus, the plague patron saint, were added.
Detour to the old
city wall. Widmanngasse, the former market center of the city, flows
up into Hans Gasser Platz, which has a monument by the Austrian
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 suzerainty. The part of the old
city wall that is still well preserved after the redesign of the
square is the massive bastion tower. You can reach the gate over a
small bridge. Here are some flak bullets behind a grille and a
memorial plaque and exhibits from the Museum of the City of Villach.
Via the Schanzgasse going off to the right you get back to
Widmanngasse.
Museums
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.
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.
Doll Museum
at Schlosspension Landskron, Schlossbergweg 1, A-9523
Villach-Landskron. Tel .: +43 (0) 4242 41704. Artfully designed
dolls are exhibited here. Open: May 1 - September 30, Sun - Fri 1
p.m. - 6 p.m., Sat closed.
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". Watches 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 manufactures, 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.
Villach Radio Museum,
Ferdinand-Wedenig-Straße 9, 9500 Villach-Zauchen. Tel .: +43 (0) 676
4007125. Here you will find everything that makes a transistor heart
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.
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.
Dinzlschloss, Schlossgasse 11, 9500 Villach-St.Martin.
Tel .: +43 (0) 205-3400. edit info
Streets and squares
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, as some post-war buildings are now closing the gaps
between the historical facades. The Hauptlatz has been a pedestrian
zone since 1988, 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 "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 commemorating 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 Villach people use this nearby destination for relaxing walks in
summer and for cross-country skiing in winter. edit info
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, we managed to recapture all the monkeys.
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 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 21 - June 30, Mon - Fri 11 a.m. + 2.30 p.m.,
Sun + public holidays 11 a.m., 2.30 p.m. + 4.30 p.m. Price: € 6.50
for children (6-14); Adults € 13 or discounts on request.
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
You can arrive
by plane via Klagenfurt Airport. Trains to Villach run regularly
from Klagenfurt.
Another travel 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, so many
Carinthians avoid flights to Salzburg, Munich and Vienna.
By
train
Trains from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Salzburg and Vienna
stop at Villach Central Station. 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. The bus
station is opposite. Buses run within the city in the immediate
vicinity.
By bus
The bus station in Villach is located
opposite the main train station. The ÖBB Intercitybus runs daily
between Venice - Udine - Villach - Klagenfurt and 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.
By road
In Villach the Tauern Autobahn
(A10), from Salzburg, the Südautobahn (A2), from Vienna and Graz or
Italy Tarvis, Udine and the Karawanken Autobahn (A11) from Slovenia
meet. 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. At 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
Villach is the station of the Drauradweg;
https://www.routeyou.com/de-at/location/bike/47294370/fahrradfahren-in-villach-stadt-ubersicht-aller-fahrradrouten
Around town
Driving a car in Villach can be very nerve-wracking. Especially in the morning and in the late afternoon, progress in the center is very slow. In addition, all parking spaces in the center are short-term parking zones, 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 the Ossiacher line you drive up to the right after the train station. If you come from the northern 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 station and the Westbahnhof by train.
Activities
Hike
The Dobratsch at 2166 m above sea level is
ideal for hiking, but other mountains and hills in the area are also
ideal for hiking. 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 7,250 hectares in size and is a model region for
near-natural tourism, sustainable development, protection,
communication of nature and increasing 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 Arnoldstein, Bad Bleiberg, Nötsch im
Gailtal and the stately town of Villach are connected by 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. The vantage points are: the Sky Walk viewing platform
at the Rote Wand at parking lot 6 (1483 m) and the chamois and
summit view over the Rosstratte (1732 m) with relaxation loungers.
The modern info point in the 10er hut at (1956 m) offers great views
and insights into 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 the first nature
reserve in Carinthia.
Cross-country skiing
On the
Dobratsch there is a wonderful natural trail that is groomed when
there is enough snow. At the ski jump in Villach there is a
cross-country ski run where, if there is a lack of snow, artificial
snow can be used.
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
Shopping
In Villach, the area around the main
square, Postgasse and Italienerstrasse are particularly suitable for
shopping. You can find everything you need in Villach. There are
sufficient 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 plenty of free parking on the
southern edge of the city, near the motorway exit Villach Warmbad,
towards Italy.
2 NEUKAUF 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.