Page 266 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

264  A USTRIA REGION BY REGION

l Bregenz

The capital of Vorarlberg since 1923, Bregenz is strategically –
and attractively – situated on the eastern shore of Bodensee
(Lake Constance), at the edge of the Rhine valley and the foot
of the Austrian and Swiss Alps. It is a meeting point of four
countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland and the Principality
of Liechtenstein. The Romans established the settlement
of Brigantium, and later it became the Alemanni town of
Brancantia. In 1451 and 1523 Bregenz came under Habsburg
rule, and during the Thirty Years’ War, it was destroyed by the
Swedes. Attractions in Bregenz include walks on the nearby
Pfänder massif, and boat trips out on the lake.

Renaissance altarpiece of 1615, in
Seekapelle St Georg
R Seekapelle St Georg
Rathausstrasse.
The small chapel of St George,
known as the Lakeside Chapel,
was built in 1445 and was once
lapped by the waters of Lake
Constance. Today it is separated
from the lake by roads and a
railway line and sits just south
of the town hall. Between 1690
and 1698, it was moved and
rebuilt in the Baroque style by
the master bricklayer Kaspar
View of Bregenz, on the shores of Lake Constance Held. The Renaissance altarpiece
from 1615 has been preserved.
Exploring Bregenz regional handicrafts and Depicted at its centre is the
Oberstadt (upper town) is the customs, old weaponry, coins Madonna at the foot of the
oldest part of Bregenz, with a and medals, as well as regional Cross; the side niches show
number of well-preserved historic costumes. One particularly scenes from the Passion.
buildings and the remains of fascinating exhibit is the collec-
13th-century fortifications. tion of portable organs. The P Martinsturm
Innenstadt (inner city) is much museum also has an art gallery Martinsplatz. Tel (05574) 410 1561.
newer. It has a theatre and an which holds many beautiful Open May–Oct: 10am–5pm Tue–Sun.
interesting regional museum. portraits by Angelika Kauffmann
The promenades along Lake (1741–1807), whose family
Constance, always shrouded came from Bregenzer Wald (see
in a gentle mist, are worth p262). Other interesting exhibits
explor ing, as are the grounds are early artifacts, Roman and
of the popular Bregenz Gothic sculptures and paintings,
summer festivals. old altarpieces, and beautiful
gold and silver ornaments.
E Vorarlberg Museum The jewels of this museum are
Kornmarktplatz 1. Tel (05574) 46 050. the 9th-century stone tablet
Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun (Jul & Aug from Lauterach and the early
until 8pm; Thu until 9pm year round). 16th- century crucifix from the
& ∑ vorarlbergmuseum.at collegiate church in Mehrerau.
The Vorarlberg Museum holds
collections of prehistoric relics, P Rathaus
artifacts dating from the Roman Rathausstrasse 4.
time of the settlement of The former granary built in
Brigantium and objects from 1686 became the town’s
the days of the Alemanni chancellery in 1720 and, in
settlers, all found in Bregenz 1810, the seat of the town’s
and its vicinity. A separate authorities. It remains the The Martinsturm, topped with a
department is devoted to town hall to this day. Baroque dome
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp298–9 and pp323–4

264-265_EW_Austria.indd 264 03/09/15 5:44 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm