Wattens is a market town with 8010 inhabitants (as of January 1,
2020) in the Tyrolean district of Innsbruck-Land and the
headquarters of the Swarovski crystal company. The municipality is
located in the judicial district of Hall in Tirol. Wattens is
located in the Tyrolean Lower Inn Valley, south of the Inn, about 13
km east of Innsbruck. Part of the Wattental, which leads into the
Wattentaler Lizum, also belongs to the municipality.
As a
grave find from the Laurentiuskirche and several individual finds
show, Wattens and the surrounding communities were already settled
in the Late Bronze Age (approx. 12th century BC). From the 5th
century, the Latène period and the Fritzens-Sanzeno culture are
documented with the settlement and the burnt offering place in the
corridor Himmelreich. The settlement went towards the end of the 2nd
century BC. By a major fire under.
Newly discovered
settlement finds and a coin treasure from a manor from the Roman
Empire on the grounds of the Crystal Worlds date from the 3rd
century.
Wattens was first mentioned in a document in the
years 930/31 as "Vuattanes". The paper mill built in 1559 is
considered the oldest in North Tyrol. Another economic boom took
place with the settlement of Swarovski in 1895, which led to a
strong development of the settlements and greatly changed the former
farming community.
Swarovski Kristallwelten, Kristallweltenstrasse 1,
6112 Wattens, Austria. For the centenary of Swarovski’s company, the
Austrian artist André Heller built the illusionistic world of glass
in 1995 on an artificial hill at the eastern end of the town.
Cultural programs like “Music in the Giant” or offers like the
“RiesenKinderSpiel” for the youngest visitors make the Crystal
Worlds a pulsating center.
Laurentiuskirche. The church in the
center of Wattens dates back to Roman times and was first mentioned
in a document in 1318. The present church was rebuilt after several
fires and consecrated in 1820.
Rätersiedlung Himmelreich. The
Rätersiedlung is located on a hilltop between Wattens and Volders.
On the settlement area enclosed by a ring wall, the foundations of
five buildings can be viewed, which probably represented the heap of
a Rhaetian aristocrat. He was from the 4th to the 1st century.
inhabited before Christ and was destroyed by fire. The open-air
museum can be reached in about 15 minutes on foot and is freely
accessible.
Museums
Local history and industry museum. The
museum offers an insight into the past and present of the
communities of Wattens and Volders. It contains the finds from the
Rätersiedlung Himmelreich as well as urns with extensive grave goods
from 431 graves of the Volderer urn field.
Typewriter Museum. The
museum shows over 450 fully functional models from the development
of the typewriter. They cover the period from 1884 to the present
day and offer interesting insights into the history of the
development of the typewriter. Sectional models provide an insight
into the function.
Cultural events
Music in the giant.
Chamber music in the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
Tyrolean fairy
tale and legends festival. Famous fairy tales and old legends from
and around Tyrol are staged in a funny and modern way at the legend
and fairy tale festival.
Activities
To go biking
The
well-known Inn cycle path from Innsbruck to Passau passes in the
immediate vicinity, and there are several tours available especially
for mountain bikers. These range from leisurely cycle routes to
challenging mountain slopes.
Hike
in Tyrol's largest
nature park, the Karwendel Alpine Park. There are routes of
different lengths and degrees of difficulty available. The best
known are:
Way of St. James/ Jakobsweg
Eagle Walk/ Adlerweg
Historical circular hiking trail/ Historischer Rundwanderweg
Climb
The 10 km long Halltal, which leads
from the Inntal into the Karwendel, is the ideal starting point for
all kinds of climbing tours. With seven climbing gardens, the
Alpenverein Hall offers ideal climbing conditions. The classic
routes are of difficulty level 6, a few easier routes are 4 and 5
also available. If you want to get to know the extreme side, you can
try routes in the upper 8 and 9 range.
By Plane
The most convenient way to reach Wattens is by flying
into one of the nearby airports, followed by ground transport. Here's a
breakdown:
Innsbruck Airport (INN): The closest airport, about
18.5 km (11.5 miles) west of Wattens. Driving takes around 20 minutes,
costing €3-5 in fuel if renting a car. Taxis or private transfers are
available for €65-80, with services like AlpinBus or City Airport Taxis
offering door-to-door options. For public transport, take a bus or tram
(line 5) from the airport to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (main station), then
transfer to a train (line 5197) to Fritzens-Wattens station (total ~48
minutes). Shared shuttles or minivans are also options for groups.
Munich Airport (MUC): About 119 km (74 miles) north in Germany. Trains
take 3-4 hours (€20-40), typically involving a change at Munich
Ostbahnhof or Kufstein to reach Fritzens-Wattens. Buses like FlixBus or
Lufthansa Express Bus go to Innsbruck first (2-3 hours, €15-35), then
local connections. Driving takes 1.5-2 hours via A8, A93, and A12
highways. Private transfers cost €200+.
Salzburg Airport (SZG):
Approximately 119 km (74 miles) east. Trains take 2-3 hours (€20-30) via
changes in Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and possibly Jenbach. Buses are
available but less direct. Driving is about 1.5 hours via A8 and A12.
Other airports like Bolzano (BZO, 95 km south) are options but less
common due to fewer flights.
By Train
Wattens is served by the
Fritzens-Wattens station on the Lower Inn Valley Railway line,
connecting to major Austrian and European networks. ÖBB operates
frequent services:
From Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof: Trains (S-Bahn
line S4 or regional 5197) every 30 minutes, taking 16 minutes (€3-6).
Specific shuttles to Swarovski Kristallwelten run multiple times daily
(e.g., depart Innsbruck at 08:40, arrive 09:08; €5-10 round-trip).
From Vienna: Direct Railjet trains to Innsbruck (4-5 hours, €40-80),
then local transfer.
From Munich: Via Kufstein and Jenbach (2-3
hours, €20-40).
Nightjet sleeper trains from cities like Hamburg,
Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, or Vienna arrive in Innsbruck, with easy onward
connections. Book via oebb.at; the Hall-Wattens guest card (free from
local accommodations) covers regional public transport.
From the
station, it's a short walk, bus, or taxi to central Wattens or
attractions like Swarovski (about 2 km).
By Bus
Public buses
are reliable and eco-friendly, especially for regional travel.
From Innsbruck: VVT buses (e.g., line 4125) run hourly, taking 35-40
minutes (€4-7). The electric e-shuttlebus to Swarovski runs 5 times
daily (€8-12 round-trip adult, reservations recommended for groups).
Long-distance: FlixBus or similar from Munich, Vienna, or Salzburg to
Innsbruck (2-5 hours, €10-30), then local bus/train. RegioFlink offers
on-demand rides in the area since 2022.
Use apps like Moovit for
real-time schedules. The Hall-Wattens Card provides free regional bus
travel.
By Car
Driving offers flexibility in the scenic Alps.
Wattens is on the A12 Inntal Autobahn.
From Innsbruck: Head east
on A12, exit at Wattens (11-14 km, 14-20 minutes). No toll for this
short stretch.
From Munich: South on A8, then A93 to A12 (149 km,
1.5-2 hours; vignette toll sticker required for Austrian highways, €10
for 10 days).
From Salzburg: West on A8 to A93/A12 (about 150 km, 1.5
hours).
Free parking is available in Wattens, including at
Swarovski (with EV charging). Uber and taxis are options for local
rides. For sustainability, consider biking along the Inn Cycle Path if
arriving regionally. Always check for winter road conditions
(November-March).
Prehistoric Times
Human habitation in Wattens dates back to the
Iron Age, specifically the La Tène era (circa 450–1 BC), with
archaeological evidence uncovering settlement traces in the Wattener
Schwemmkegel (alluvial fan) and the Wattental valley. The Himmelreich
site, an open-air museum, preserves remnants of a Räetian settlement
from the 4th to 1st century BC, showcasing advanced village planning and
daily life before its destruction by fire. This pre-Roman era highlights
Wattens' strategic location in the Inn Valley, which facilitated early
trade and agriculture amid the alpine terrain. The Wattens-Volders
Museum Association has conducted extensive excavations, revealing
artifacts that underscore the region's prehistoric significance.
Early History and Medieval Period
The first documented mention of
Wattens occurs in a 930 AD deed as "Vuattanes," when the area was part
of the German stem duchy of Bavaria. By the 12th century, it came under
the control of the Counts of Tyrol, and in 1363, it was acquired by the
Austrian House of Habsburg, integrating it into the broader Habsburg
domains. During the medieval period, Wattens functioned primarily as a
farming village (Bauerndorf), with a pre-industrial tradition emerging
in the Middle Ages that laid the foundation for later economic
activities. The village's location in the Inn Valley, near the
prosperous salt-mining town of Hall, influenced its development, though
Wattens itself remained agrarian-focused until industrial shifts.
A
key milestone came in 1559 with the establishment of a paper mill, the
first in the Austrian Circle lands and one of the earliest in Austria
overall. This mill used the globus cruciger as its watermark, a symbol
later incorporated into the town's coat of arms, and marked the
beginning of organized industrial activity, boosting local trade and
employment.
Industrial Era and Economic Transformation
The
19th century brought transformative changes. In 1895, Daniel Swarovski,
a glass cutter from Jiřetín pod Bukovou in Bohemia (now Czech Republic),
settled in Wattens and founded a crystal-cutting factory to produce
crystal jewelry. This move was driven by the availability of
hydroelectric power from the Inn River, essential for his innovative
electric glass-cutting machine. The same year, Wattens received market
rights, elevating its status and facilitating commerce.
The Swarovski
company spurred rapid economic growth, turning the former rural village
into an industrial powerhouse. Population surged, particularly after
1910, as immigrants arrived for factory jobs—from 968 in 1900 to over
2,000 by 1910, and continuing upward through the 20th century. By 1980,
the historic paper mill evolved into Wattenspapier, now part of the
Finnish Delfort Group, specializing in rolling paper with 97% exported
to over 90 countries.
During World War II, Wattens produced notable
figures like Jakob Gapp (1897–1943), a Marianist priest born in the town
who opposed the 1938 Anschluss and Nazi persecution of Catholics. He
fled to France and Spain but was captured by the Gestapo in 1942, tried,
and executed at Plötzensee Prison. Pope John Paul II beatified him as a
martyr in 1996, and a memorial portrait hangs in St. Mary's parish
church.
Modern Era and Cultural Developments
The post-war
period solidified Wattens' prosperity, with Swarovski as the primary
employer and one of Austria's financially strongest municipalities. In
1995, to celebrate the company's centenary, the Swarovski Kristallwelten
(Crystal Worlds) museum opened, designed by Austrian artist André Heller
with influences from Ambras Castle's chambers of wonders. Featuring a
giant waterspout sculpture at the entrance, crystal exhibits, and works
by artists like Brian Eno and Niki de Saint Phalle, it has become one of
Austria's top tourist attractions, drawing millions annually.
Cultural institutions have flourished: The Typewriter Museum, opened
with over 450 models from 1884 onward, explores technological history.
Museum Wattens, inaugurated in October 2018, serves as a cultural
powerhouse with exhibitions on prehistoric excavations, the paper mill,
Swarovski's legacy, and local everyday history. The town also hosts
events like the Tyrolean Fairytale Dream Worlds in summer and is a stop
on the Inn cycle path.
Today, Wattens balances its industrial
heritage with tourism, though rapid growth has nearly exhausted valley
building land. Architectural highlights include St. Lawrence Church in
the main square and the modern Swarovski facilities, blending historical
and contemporary elements in the alpine setting.
Wattens is a market town situated in the Lower Inn Valley of North Tyrol, Austria, approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) east of the regional capital, Innsbruck. It lies within the Innsbruck-Land District and is part of the broader alpine landscape of the Eastern Alps. The town's coordinates are roughly 47°17′N 11°35′E, at an average elevation of 564 meters (1,850 feet) above sea level. Covering a compact area of 10.84 square kilometers (4.19 square miles), Wattens occupies a strategic position in the valley, benefiting from its proximity to major transportation routes, including the Inn Valley Autobahn (A12) and the Lower Inn Valley Railway. This location places it in a transitional zone between the flatter valley floor and the rising alpine foothills, influencing its economic development as a hub for industry and tourism while maintaining a close connection to the surrounding natural environment. The municipal boundaries extend from the southern bank of the Inn River southward into the Wattental side valley, creating a diverse terrain that blends riverine lowlands with mountainous uplands.
The topography of Wattens is emblematic of the Inn Valley's glacial origins, featuring a mix of flat valley floors, gentle slopes, and steeper alpine inclines. The town is built on an alluvial fan (known locally as the Wattener Schwemmkegel), formed by sediment deposits from the Wattental stream over millennia, which creates fertile, well-drained soils suitable for settlement and agriculture. The landscape rises gradually from the Inn River's southern bank, where elevations hover around 550 meters, into the Wattental valley, reaching higher plateaus and eventually the rugged terrain of the Tux Alps. This valley-within-a-valley structure provides a natural corridor for hiking and outdoor activities, with the terrain becoming increasingly steep and dissected by ravines as one moves southward. The overall relief is moderate in the town center but transitions to high alpine features within a few kilometers, offering panoramic views of the surrounding ranges. Human modifications, such as the Swarovski Kristallwelten gardens and industrial sites, have integrated into this topography, often enhancing the visual appeal with landscaped hills and water features.
The Inn River dominates the hydrography of Wattens, forming the northern boundary of the municipality and serving as a vital waterway for the region. This major Alpine river, a tributary of the Danube, flows eastward through the valley, with Wattens situated on its southern bank. The river's presence has historically influenced settlement patterns, providing water for industry (notably hydroelectric power for the Swarovski factories) and contributing to the area's fertile alluvial soils. Tributaries include the Wattentaler Bach (Wattental stream), which originates in the Tux Alps and flows northward through the Wattental valley before joining the Inn near Wattens. This stream has shaped the local topography through erosion and deposition, creating side valleys and supporting small-scale hydropower. Groundwater resources are abundant due to the valley's glacial history, though flooding risks along the Inn have been mitigated by engineered embankments and dams.
Wattens is framed by prominent alpine ranges that define its scenic backdrop. To the south, the Wattental valley ascends into the Tux Alps (part of the Central Eastern Alps), culminating in the Wattentaler Lizum cirque, a high alpine basin popular for skiing and mountaineering. Peaks in this area, such as the Lizumer Reckner (2,886 meters), rise dramatically from the valley floor, offering challenging terrain for outdoor enthusiasts. North of the Inn River, the landscape is overlooked by the Karwendel Mountains, a vast limestone range visible from viewing platforms in Wattens, with summits like the Birkkarspitze (2,749 meters) providing a stark, rugged contrast. These ranges create a natural barrier, channeling winds and precipitation while sheltering the valley from extreme weather. The proximity to these mountains—within the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve broader context—makes Wattens a gateway for alpine exploration, with trails leading into protected areas.
Geologically, Wattens lies in a dynamic section of the Eastern Alps, shaped by tectonic forces from the Alpine orogeny. The southern portions, including the Wattental valley and Tux Alps, are composed primarily of early Paleozoic Innsbruck Quartz-Phyllite, a metamorphic rock formation featuring quartz-rich schists and phyllites formed under high pressure and temperature during ancient mountain-building events. Northward, across the Inn Valley, the terrain transitions into the Northern Calcareous Alps, dominated by Triassic limestones and dolomites that form the dramatic karst landscapes of the Karwendel range. The valley floor itself is overlaid with Quaternary glacial deposits, including moraines and alluvial sediments from the last Ice Age, which have created the fertile Schwemmkegel fan. This geological diversity supports mineral resources, historically exploited for building materials, and contributes to the region's seismic activity, though minor in recent history.
Wattens experiences a temperate alpine climate influenced by its valley location in western Austria, blending Atlantic and continental elements. Classified as subarctic (Köppen Dfc) in higher elevations but milder in the valley, it features long, cold winters with short daylight, low humidity, and precipitation mostly as snow. Annual rainfall averages around 1,000 mm (40 inches), higher than eastern Austria due to prevailing westerly winds that bring moist air from the Atlantic. Summers are moderately warm and sunny, while winters can be harsh with frequent frost.
The vegetation in Wattens reflects its alpine geography, with mixed forests of spruce, fir, and beech dominating the slopes and side valleys, giving way to alpine meadows and pastures at higher elevations. The valley floor supports cultivated fields and orchards, aided by the fertile alluvial soils. Environmental concerns include urban expansion into green spaces, though initiatives like the Swarovski Kristallwelten gardens promote biodiversity with landscaped habitats. The area's UNESCO-recognized alpine heritage underscores its ecological value, with protected zones in the nearby Tux and Karwendel ranges supporting species like chamois and golden eagles.