Thursday, April 22, 2010

Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Spring Break 9 of 10

When I realized that I would be visiting the Alps, and that I would be only a few hours away from Liechtenstein, I knew that I would have to go. The Principality of Liechtenstein is a small nation tucked in the Rhine Valley between Switzerland and Austria. It covers an area of about 160 square kilometers (or 60 square miles) and is home to about 36,000 citizens. It has a long and confusing history as an assortment of medieval counties and principalities, which were eventually formed into the independent nation of Liechtenstein in 1866, as a constitutional monarchy ruled over by the Princely house of Liechtenstein. Today, their head of state is Prince Hans-Adam II, whose grandfather Prince Aloys was the first Prince of Liechtenstein to actually live there. Most of the family used to live in Vienna, and participated in the courtly-life of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That being said, it seems the people of Liechtenstein are a patriotic people who are proud of their history, and of their monarch. The Liechtensteinische Landesmuseum (National Museum) tells the story of the country from its first inhabitants in the Neolithic up until the present in a seemingly honest way, but stops just short of criticizing past monarchs for their mishandling of the country. Besides the Landesmuseum, there is also a very impressing art collection in Vaduz, as well as several administrative buildings, and a church or two. On a hill overlooking Vaduz is the castle, which is the current residence of the royal family. Although tourists are free to climb up to the castle, it is not actually open to the public, which is a rare thing among European castles in general. Nevertheless, it offers a great view of the city, the mountains above, and the Rhine valley. It was great to spend a few hours in one of the world’s smallest countries (the 206th by population, and 211th by area). Although it is very expensive, using the Swiss Franc, it is also very beautiful and somewhat quaint. If you can afford it, there are some wonderful shops and restaurants, as well as banks. However, most importantly, it will give you the good fortune of having the right to say: “Believe it or not, have indeed been to Liechtenstein, have you?”

Southern Liechtenstein

Vaduz

Vaduz Castle

Views from Above