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Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt
Coat of arms Location
Coat of arms of Klagenfurt
 Map of Austria, position of Klagenfurt highlighted
Administration
Country  Austria
State Carinthia
District Statutory city
Mayor Harald Scheucher (ÖVP)
Basic statistics
Area 120.11 km² (46.4 sq mi)
Elevation 446 m  (1463 ft)
Population 92,404  (01/01/2006)
 - Density 769 /km² (1,993 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate K
Postal codes 9010 - 9029, 9051, 9161, 9072
Area code 0463
Website www.klagenfurt.at

Coordinates: 46°37′0″N 14°18′0″E / 46.61667, 14.3
City hall in Klagenfurt´s centre, Neuer Platz

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee1 (Slovene: Celovec) is the capital of the federal state of Carinthia in Austria. With a population of over 90,000 it is the sixth-largest city in the country. The city is the bishop's seat of the Roman-Catholic diocese of Gurk-Klagenfurt and home to the Alpen-Adria University.

Contents

Geography

Location

Klagenfurt is located 446 meters above sea level and covers an area of 120.11 square km. It is on the lake Wörthersee and on the Glan River. The city is surrounded by several forest-covered hills and mountains with heights of up to 1,000 meters, for example, Ulrichsberg. To the south is the Karawanken mountain range, which separates Carinthia from Slovenia and Italy.

Municipal arrangement

Klagenfurt is divided into 15 districts:

  • I-IV Innere Stadt
  • V St. Veiter Vorstadt
  • VI Völkermarkter Vorstadt
  • VII Viktringer Vorstadt
  • VIII Villacher Vorstadt
  • IX Annabichl
  • X St. Peter
  • XI St. Ruprecht
  • XII St. Martin
  • XIII Viktring
  • XIV Wölfnitz
  • XV Hörtendorf
  • XVI Welzenegg

It is further divided into 25 Katastralgemeinden. They are: Klagenfurt, Blasendorf, Ehrenthal, Goritschitzen, Großbuch, Großponfeld, Gurlitsch I, Hallegg, Hörtendorf, Kleinbuch, Lendorf, Marolla, Nagra, Neudorf, St. Martin bei Klagenfurt, St. Peter am Karlsberg, St. Peter bei Ebenthal, Sankt Peter am Bichl (bei Tentschach), St. Ruprecht bei Klagenfurt, Stein, Tentschach, Viktring, Waidmannsdorf, Waltendorf, and Welzenegg.

Climate

Klagenfurt has a typical Continental climate, with quite some fog throughout the autumn and winter. The rather cold winters are, however, broken by occasional warmer periods due to foehn wind from the Karawanken mountains to the south. The average temperature from 1961 and 1990 is 7.1 °C, while the average temperature in 2005 was 9.3 °C.

The Name

Carinthia's eminent linguists Primus Lessiak and Eberhard Kranzmayer assumed that the name which literally translates as "ford of lament" or "ford of complaints" had something to do with the superstitious thought that fateful demons live around treacherous waters or swamps. In Old Slovene cviljovec is a place haunted by such a wailing female ghost or cvilya.2 Thus they assumed that Klagenfurt's name was a translation by the German settlers of the original Slovene name of the neighbouring wetland. However, the earliest Slovene mention of Klagenfurt in the form of "v Zelouzi" (Slovene: Celovec) dating from 16153 is 400 years younger and thus appears to be a translation from German. The latest interpretation, on the other hand, is that the Old Slovene cviljovec itself goes back to an Italic l'aquiliu meaning a place at or in the water, which would make the wailing-hag theory obsolete.4 Anyway, scholars had at all times attempted to explain the city's peculiar name: In the 14th century the abbot and historiographer John of Viktring translated Klagenfurt's name in his Liber certarum historiarum as Queremoniae Vadus, i.e. "ford of complaint", Hieronymus Megiser, Master of the university college of the Carinthian Estates in Klagenfurt and editor of the earliest printed history of the duchy in 1612, believed to have found the origin of the name in a "ford across the River Glan"5 , which, however, is impossible for linguistic reasons. The common people also sought an explanation: A baker's apprentice was accused of theft and executed, but when a few days afterwards the alleged theft turned out to be a mistake and the lad was proved to be totally innocent the citizens' "lament went forth and forth". This story was reported by Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who later became Pope Pius II.6

History

Lindwurm fountain in Neuer Platz city centre
Duke Bernhard of Spanheim, the founder of the City

Legend has it that Klagenfurt was founded after a couple of brave men had slain the abominable dragon, a winged "Lindwurm" in the moors adjoining the lake, the staple diet of which is said to have been virgins, but which did not spurn the fat bull on a chain that the men had mounted on a strong tower. The feat is commemmorated by a grandiose 9-ton Renaissance monument in the city centre. Historically, the place was founded by the Spanheim Duke Herman as a stronghold across the commercial routes in the area. Its first mention dates from the late 12th century in a document in which Duke Ulric II. exempted St. Paul's Abbey from the toll charge "in foro Chlagenvurth"7. That settlement occupied an area that was subject to frequent flooding, so in 1246 Duke Herman's son, Duke Bernhard von Spanheim moved in to a safer position and is thus considered as the actual founder of the market place, which in 1252 received a city charter.

Former city hall, Alter Platz

In the following centuries Klagenfurt suffered fires, earthquakes, invasions of locusts and attacks from Turks, and was ravaged by the Peasants' Wars. In 1514 a fire destroyed the city almost completely, and in 1518 Emperor Maximilian I, unable to rebuild it, despite the loud protests of the burgers ceded Klagenfurt to the Estates, the nobility of the Duchy. Never before had such a thing happened. The new owners, however, brought about an economical renaissance and a political and cultural ascent for Klagenfurt. A canal was dug to connect the city to the lake as a supply route for timber to rebuild the city and to feed the city' new moats; the great families had their town houses built in the duchy's new capital, the city was enlarged along a geometrical chequer-board lay-out according to the Renaissance ideas of the Italian architect Domenico de Lalio; a new city centre square, the Neuer Platz, was constructed; and the new fortifications that took half a century to build made Klagenfurt the strongest fortress north of the Alps.

In 1809, however, the French troops under Napoleon destroyed the city walls, leaving, against a large sum collected by the citizens, only one eastern gate (which was pulled down for traffic reasons some decades later), and the small stretch in the west which is now all that is left of the once grand fortifications. In 1863 the railway connection to St. Veit an der Glan boosted the city's economy and so did the building of the Vienna-Trieste railway that brought the city an imposing central station (destroyed in WWII) and made Klagenfurt the absolute centre of the region. In 1938 Klagenfurt's population suddenly grew by more than 50% through the incorporation of the town of St. Ruprecht and the municipalities of St. Peter, Annabichl, and St. Martin. But during WWII, the city was bombed 41 times, the bombs killing 612 people, completely destroying 443 buildings, and damaging 1,132 others. A plaque now stands at the site where the citizens of Klagenfurt were evacuated. 110,000 cubic metres of rubble had to be removed before the citizens could be set about rebuilding their city.

In 1961, Klagenfurt became the first city in Austria to adopt a pedestrian zone. The idea of a friendly pairing of cities in other countries that had started with the very first city partnership ever - Klagenfurt and Wiesbaden, Germany, as early as 1930 - was followed up with numerous city partnerships with the result that in 1968 Klagenfurt was honoured with the title of a " European City of the Year". Three times, a European record, Klagenfurt was also awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Diploma for the exemplary restauration and redevelopment of its ancient centre.

In 1973 Klagenfurt absorbed four more adjacent municipalities - Viktring with its grand Cistercian monastery, Wölfnitz, Hörtendorf, St. Peter am Bichl - increasing its population to about 90,000.

In 2007 the city changed its official name to "Klagenfurt am Wörthersee" (i.e., Klagenfurt on Lake Wörther). However, since there are no other settlements by the name of Klagenfurt anywhere, the previous short name remains unambiguous.

Sights

"Landhaus", the palace of the Estates, now State Assembly
Arcaded yard in the former city hall

The Old City with its central Alter Platz (Old Square) and the Renaissance buildings with their charming arcaded court yards is a major attraction. Notable landmarks also include

  • the lindworm fountain of 1593, with a Hercules added in 1633
  • Landhaus - Palace of the Estates, now the seat of the State Assembly.
  • the Baroque cathedral, built by the then Protestant Estates of Carinthia
  • Viktring Abbey
Loretto after renovation 2007
Tentschach Castle
Model of St. Peter's in Minimundus
  • the Kreuzbergl nature park with a viewing tower and observatory
  • the small but attractive botanical garden at the foot of Kreuzbergl, with a mining museum attached
  • Wörthersee, the warmest of the large Alpine lakes, with Europe's largest non-sea beach and lido taking 12,000 bathers on a nice summer day.
  • Maria Loretto peninsula with its newly renovated stately home, until recently in the possession of one of Carinthia's noble families, the Rosenbergs, but acquired lately by the City.
  • Tentschach and Hallegg castles

Economy

Klagenfurt is the economic centre of Carinthia, with 20 % of the industrial companies. In May 2001 there were 63,618 employees in 6,184 companies here. 33 of these companies counted more than 200 employees. The most common economical sectors are light industry, electronics, and tourism. There are also several printing offices.

Transportation

Klagenfurt Airport is a small international airport connecting to some major cities in Europe and holiday resorts abroad.

The city is situated at the intersection of the A2 and S37 freeways. The A2 autobahn runs from Vienna via Graz and Klagenfurt to Villach and further to the state border of Italy. The S37 freeway runs from Vienna via Bruck an der Mur via Sankt Veit an der Glan to Klagenfurt. The Loibl Pass highway B91 takes you to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which is only 45 km from Klagenfurt.

The volume of traffic in Klagenfurt is high (motorisation level: 572 cars/1000 inhabitants in 2007)8. In the 1960's, with the last streetcar line demolished, Klagenfurt was meant to become a car-friendly city, with lots of wide roads. A freeway was even planned to cross the city partly underground, which now, however, by-passes the city in the north. The problem of four railway lines from north, west, south and east meeting at the central station south of the city centre and strangulating city traffic has been eased by a considerable number of underpasses on the main arteries. Nevertheless, despite 28 bus lines, traffic jams are frequent nowadays as in most cities of similar size. Ideas of a rapid transport system using the existing railway rails, of an elevated cable railway to the soccer stadium,or of a regular motorboat service on the Lend Canal from the city centre to the lake have not materialized. But for those who fancy leisurely travel there is a regular motorboat and steamer service on the lake connecting the resorts on Woerthersee. During severe winters, which unfortunately do no longer occur regularly, you might of course be faster crossing the frozen lake on your skates.

Culture

There is a civic theatre-cum-opera house with professional companies, a professional symphony orchestra, a state conservatory and concert hall; there are musical societies such as Musikverein (founded in 1826) or Mozartgemeinde, a private experimental theatre company, the State Museum , a modern art museum and the Diocesan museum of religious art; the Artists' House, two municipal and several private galleries, a planetarium in Europa Park, literary institutions such as the Robert Musil House, and a reputable German-literature competition awarding the prestigious Ingeborg Bachmann Prize.

The Artists' House , 1913/14, Architect: Franz Baumgartner

Klagenfurt is the home of a number of small but fine publishing houses, and several papers or regional editions are also published here including dailies such as "Kärntner Krone", "Kärntner Tageszeitung", "Kleine Zeitung".

Klagenfurt is a popular vacation spot with mountains both to the south and north, numerous parks and a series of 23 stately homes and castles on its outskirts. In summer the city is home to the Altstadtzauber (The Magic of the Old City) festival.

Also located here are the University of Klagenfurt, a campus of the Technikum Kärnten, University of Applied Sciences, a college of education for primary and secondary teacher training and further education of teachers as well as a college of general further education (VHS) and two institutions of further professional and vocational education (WIFI and BFI). Among other Austrian educational institutions, there is a Slovene-language Gymnasium and a Slovene-language commercial high school

In addition to cultural attractions and activities available in and around Klagenfurt, this city has one more important attribute that must be mentioned. Klagenfurt is in a central location for many other great European destinations. In the heart of Europe, Klagenfurt is less than an hour from Italy or Slovenia, and only a few hours from Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, Bratislava, or Zagreb. Local residents in Klagenfurt have the luxury of being able to access such culturally diverse regions with relative ease.

Education

Sports

The Austrian ice-hockey record-champion EC KAC is one of the best known sports clubs in Austria. The "Eishockey Club Klagenfurter Athletiksport Club" has won the Austrian Championship 28 times and its fans come from all over Carinthia. The Premier League soccer club SK Austria Kärnten is based in Klagenfurt. Klagenfurt hosts the Start/Finish of the Austrian Ironman Contest, 3.8 km swim 180 km bike 42 km run, part of the WTC Ironman series, which culminates in the Hawaii World Championships.

One of the FIVB's Beach Volleyball Grand Slams is hosted in Klagenfurt. Klagenfurt hosted three games during the UEFA EURO 2008 Championships, in the recently built Hypo-Arena. Klagenfurt was also a contender for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Klagenfurt is also home to an American Football team, the Carinthian Black Lions, competing in First League of the Austrian Football League. The Black Lions attract fans from all over Carinthia, playing home games in both Klagenfurt and Villach.

Notable natives and residents

Gallery

Lend canal in the centre of Klagenfurt

The Stadthaus

Klagenfurt War Cemetery

Klagenfurt Cathedral

Annabichl Manor

Ehrental Manor

Krastowitz Manor

State museum

thumb| Civic Theatre and Opera

New offices of the State Administration

A2 autobahn by-pass at Falkenberg tunnel

Airport Klagenfurt-Woerthersee, Departure Terminal



Twinnings

The City of Klagenfurt's sister cities :


Footnotes

  1. ^ Landesgesetzblatt 2008 vom 16. Jänner 2008, Stück 1, Nr. 1: Gesetz vom 25. Oktober 2007, mit dem die Kärntner Landesverfassung und das Klagenfurter Stadtrecht 1998 geändert werden. (link)
  2. ^ Eberhard Kranzmayer, Ortsnamenbuch von Kärnten. Part II, Klagenfurt 1958, p. 119.
  3. ^ Dieter Jandl, A Brief History of Klagenfurt, revised edition, Klagenfurt 2007, p.8
  4. ^ Heinz Dieter Pohl, Kärnten. Deutsche und slowenische Namen/Koroška. Slovenska in nemška imena. In: Österreichische Namenforschung28 (2000), vols. 2–3, Klagenfurt 2000, p. 83; and also: Paul Gleirscher, Wie Aquiliu zu Klagenfurt wurde, In: Paul Gleirscher, Mystisches Kärnten. Sagenhaftes, Verborgenes, Ergrabenes, Klagenfurt 2007, pp. 59-65.
  5. ^ ibid.
  6. ^ ibid., p. 14
  7. ^ ibid., p,7
  8. ^ Statistik Austria

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