Table Of ContentPRiNCEly MoMENTS
VACATION BROCHURE
PRiNCEly MoMENTS
iN liECHTENSTEiN
l
iechtenstein, the jewel at the pulse of Europe, is like a book.
Once you've started reading, you can't put it down. Liechtenstein
is traditional and modern, just the right size and open to the world,
athletic and sensual. Liechtenstein exudes atmosphere. What
astonishes you are the small things. Dive in! Enjoy the experiences
and the serenity. 1001 opportunities await you – white in the
winter, warm in the summer, fresh in the spring and colorful in the
autumn.
2
C oN T E N T S
4 C o U N T R y A N D P E oP l E
8 A R T A N D C Ul T U R E
1 2 DiNiN G A N D D RiN KiN G
1 4 HiKiN G A N D BiKiN G
1 8 R E C R E ATi o N A N D F U N
2 2 FA Mi l iE S A N D VA C ATi o N
2 4 S U N A N D S N o W
2 8 B U SiN E S S A N D E V E N T S
3 4 PA N o R A M A M A P
Ruggell (433 meters/1421 feet)
loWER Schellenberg (626 meters/2054 feet)
CoUNTRy Mauren/Schaanwald
Gamprin/Bendern
Eschen/Nendeln
Planken (786 meters/2579 feet)
AlPiNE
Schaan
REGioN
GERMANy
Vaduz
UPPER
SWiTZERlAND
Triesenberg (884 meters/2900 feet)
CoUNTRy
Steg
AUSTRiA Triesen
Malbun (1600 meters/5249 feet)
liECHTENSTEiN
Balzers (472 meters/1549 feet)
iTAly
22222220000
LLLFFFFFFIIIUUUUUUEEEEEEEECCCCECHHHHRRRRRHRTTTTSSSSSTSEEEETTTTTETNNNNEEEEENESSSSNNNNNSTTNTTTTTTEETUUUUUIIEUNNMMMMMINM
BEiNG SMAll iS oUR ClAiM
To GREATNESS
T
ake a bit of time and get to know the 160-square-kilometer
(62-square-mile) gem – down in the valley along the Rhine,
up in the mountains near the skies. You'll be astonished: Our
small size has nothing to do with numbers. Everything is here:
impressive mountains and a vibrant culture, charming villages
and excellent gourmet temples. Discover what it means to be
small in all its diversity and familiarity. The qualities lie in the
details. Whoever discovers Liechtenstein, experiences great
things in a small place.
4
C o U N T R y A N D P E o P l E
liechtenstein National Day History
Our country is 160-square-kilometers Once a year, on 15 August, all the people of 1342 The county of Vaduz is formed
(62-square-mile) and not a meter larger, Liechtenstein and their guests join together 1699 Prince Johann Adam Andreas
and it still off ers enough space for about to celebrate. Music and joyous laughter fi ll purchases the Lordship of Schellen-
35,000 people, for living together, for the streets of Vaduz. And when at dusk the berg and
tradition and modernity. Historically, bonfi res are lit on the mountain peaks and 1712 the county of Vaduz
Liechtenstein is divided into the Upper then, late at night, brilliant fi reworks in the 1719 Elevation to the Imperial Principality of
Country (Oberland) and the Lower Country sky light up the whole valley in a rainbow of Liechtenstein
(Unterland), but people are warmhearted colorful explosions, every child knows: 1806 Attainment of sovereignty through
and welcoming everywhere. They live in 11 Today is National Day. admission to the Rhine Confederation
municipalities – each one is diff erent, each www.pia.llv.li 1868 Abolition of the Liechtenstein military
one is special. You'll only notice the 1921 New Constitution enters into force
diff erences at second glance. Vaduz is the 1923 Customs Treaty with Switzerland
capital, residence of the Princely Family and 1924 Introduction of the Swiss franc as
seat of Government. Liechtenstein is offi cial currency
mountains and valley. 1978 Membership in the Council of Europe
www.liechtenstein.li 1990 Membership in the United Nations
1991 Membership in EFTA
1995 Accession to the EEA and the WTO
2003 New Constitution enters into force
2004 Hereditary Prince Alois is appointed
Representative of Reigning Prince
Hans-Adam II
2006 200 Years of Sovereignty
5
The Reigning Prince and Vaduz Castle
the Princely Family
Vaduz Castle is the residence of the Princely
The Princely House of Liechtenstein is one Family. Visible from far away and yet close
of the oldest noble families in Europe and enough to touch, the famous landmark is
a very successful entrepreneurial family. perched on a rocky terrace above Vaduz,
The Princely Art Collections are among the accessible by a romantic footpath. If the
most important private art collections in the blue-red fl ag with the golden crown fl ies
world and include major works of European above the Castle, which was enlarged
art covering over four centuries. In 1938, during the Middle Ages, the Prince is at
Reigning Prince Franz Josef moved his home. The privacy of the Princely Family is
residence to Vaduz, and his son, Reigning respected, which is why the Castle cannot
Prince Hans-Adam II, is the fi rst Reigning be visited. But you may be lucky and
Prince to have been born in Liechtenstein. encounter a member of the Princely Family
on your voyage of discovery through the
Succession to the throne is governed country.
by the Law of the Princely House. On 15
August 2004, Reigning Prince Hans-Adam II
trans ferred his sovereign rights to his eldest
son, Hereditary Prince Alois, and appointed
him his Representative. In 1993, Hereditary
Prince Alois married Duchess Sophie of
Bavaria, who is a direct descendent of the
last Bavarian king. The Hereditary Prince and
his wife have three boys and one girl.
6
www.fuerstenhaus.li
C o U N T R y A N D P E oP l E
Facts about the country
Area
160 km2 (62-square-mile)
Topography
Lowest point: Ruggeller Riet, 430 meters
(1410 feet) elevation; highest mountain:
Grauspitz, 2599 meters (8527 feet)
elevation
Largest extension
24.6 km (15.3 miles) long and 12.4 km
(7.7 miles) wide
National borders
76 km (47 miles)
Climate
20 to 28° C (68 to 82° F) in the summer,
minus 15° C (5° F) at the coldest in the
winter
Capital
Vaduz
Population
35,168 (31 December 2006)
Language
Standard German is the official language;
an Alemannic dialect is the colloquial
language
Religion
79 % Roman Catholic, 8 % Protestant, 13 %
other religions
Currency
Swiss franc (CHF)
System of state
Constitutional hereditary monarchy on a
democratic and parliamentary basis
Head of State
Reigning Prince Hans-Adam II von und zu
Liechtenstein
Parliament
25 Members
Government
Five-person collegial government,
appointed by the Reigning Prince on
recommendation of Parliament for 4 years
Time
Central European Time (GMT +1), Daylight
Savings Time (+1 hour from the end of
March to the end of October)
THE TRADiTioNAl AND THE MoDERN
–EXCiTiNG AND ColoRFUl
W
herever you go, art and culture are everywhere in Liechtenstein.
You'll find a broad cultural spectrum with surprising traces of
age-old customs and the past as well as unique signs of modernity.
Liechtenstein is a land full of highlights that sparkle in pictures,
words and sounds. The program is always fascinating, and
somewhere between the prologue and the end, you'll also find your
favorites. Come in and take your seats for a cultural weekend, every
once in a while or as often as you like: The stage is yours!
8
A R T A N D C U lT U R E
Art Museum Engländerbau (English Schlösslekeller
Building Art Space)
All of a sudden, right in the middle of Vaduz, This boutique theater never ceases to be
you fi nd yourself in front of a huge black Contemporary art in Liechtenstein has the talk of the town. Each performance in
cube. It attracts you magically. And then many facets. It's created on canvas, paper, the small theater is a highlight, whether the
you fi nd yourself in the Kunstmuseum carved into wood and stone, or it fl ickers as program includes cabaret artists from
Liechtenstein, which has caused a sensation a video installation in a dark corner. Perhaps Bavaria, Graubünden, Basel, Austria or
ever since it opened. The museum’s own you will be fortunate enough to actually Liechtenstein, female storytellers, or
collections are regularly combined in a experience art in action. Take the staircase in Liechtenstein specialties. Reserve your seat
fresh, new way. Rotating exhibitions the English Building and enter the home of now and experience a very special theater
feat uring internationally renowned artists the artists of Liechtenstein. evening.
regularly provide for a stir both in Liechten- www.kunstraum.li www.schloesslekeller.li
stein and abroad. The world-famous
paintings from the collections of the Prince Theater am Kirchplatz Tangente Eschen
of Liechtenstein pay a visit every so often. (TaK)
Do you love jazz? Then the Tangente in
The café, bookshop and museum shop also
Eschen is the right place for you. The
The TaK is a small theater presenting a
invite you to linger.
concerts are traditional, experimental, or a
large program as well as a cultural gathering
www.kunstmuseum.li
cross-section of a wide range of styles.
place recognized far beyond our borders.
The musicians from both home and abroad
Many famous names get together here:
fascinate guests from the entire region. The
whether for the theater, the dance, a
intimate atmosphere lends itself to chats
cabaret, the chanson, readings, or musical
with the musicians, resulting in jazz
performances ranging from classical to jazz.
evenings frequently lasting much longer
And everybody from the stage and behind
than originally planned.
the scenes gathers at the TaK Bar after the
www.tangente.li
performance. Children rave about Grimm
and fairies, and the Night Bar is a novel,
appealing venue for young adults. 9
www.tak.li
Takino FiS Ski Museum Vaduz Film Festival
The fi lm club in Takino stands for an You can ski in Liechtenstein all year round The fan circle of the Open Air Film Festival
innovative and current yet controversial – at least with your eyes. In the offi cial FIS has broadened. It’s a good thing that the
fi lm program for Liechtenstein and the Ski Museum in Vaduz, discover reminders of Town Hall Square in Vaduz off ers plenty of
surrounding area. The special atmosphere famous men and women skiers, for example seating when famous and lesser-known
of the theater with its red sofas and the cozy the equipment that helped Hanni Wenzel fi lms are projected into the night – under
bar in the foyer stimulate conversation and win Olympic gold in 1980. Or many other starry skies or accompanied by thunder and
contemplation, enjoyment and laughter rarities – the museum is an extraordinary lightning – from the middle to the end of
after the movie. collection from the beginnings of the sport July.
www.filmclub.li to the present. www.filmfest.li
www.skimuseum.li
Postage Stamp Museum Cultural encounters in
liechtenstein Guitar Days Balzers
Every day, Liechtenstein postage stamp
art in the tiniest possible format created by At the beginning of July, the Liechtenstein A concert under the stars? Yes, Liechtenstein
artists from Liechtenstein and abroad goes Lower Country regularly presents its off ers that, too. Burg Gutenberg castle, high
on a world trip. Visit the Postage Stamp extra ordinary musical side: World-class above Balzers, supplies the picturesque
Museum in Vaduz and discover chronicles guitarists are invited for concert evenings, backdrop. The romantic inner courtyard and
about the country and its people, traditions fascinating master courses and an exciting its special acoustics make all theater and
and customs, on rare and current stamps competition. Classical and jazz are included concert performances a true feast for the
alike in both the permanent exhibit and in the program, and to delight the eyes as eyes and a treat for the ears.
special displays. well, Spanish music to a fl amenco rhythm. www.burg-gutenberg.li
www.landesmuseum.li www.ligita.li
10