Bludenz: Discover the Old Town, Alpine Views and Culture

Bludenz between the Old Town and Alpine Views

Bludenz lies at the heart of five valleys and combines historic cityscapes with impressive mountain landscapes. The medieval Old Town is usually referred to locally as the “Städtle”. Its area was surrounded by a city wall until the 19th century. Those who choose Bludenz for a trip can therefore combine culture, urban history and experiences in nature without having to limit themselves to just one type of holiday activity.

A good starting point is the Historic Old Town Tour. It leads through picturesque lanes, past two gates and remnants of the old city wall to Gayenhofen Castle. Bludenz Castle Garden can be accessed through a wrought-iron gate via the easternmost Castle Hill staircase. Bus and train connections take you to the Historic Old Town Tour via the “Bahnhof” or “Postplatz” stops. If you use the Gästekarte Premium Bludenz & Klostertal, admission to the Bludenz City Museum is free.

Urban History, Churches and Industrial Culture

The Bludenz City Museum has been housed in the so-called “Upper Gate” since 1922. In terms of content, it focuses on the history of the city in the Middle Ages and the early modern period. It thus complements the tour through the “Städtle” with a more in-depth historical perspective.

The churches also set different accents. The Church of the Holy Trinity is located in the middle of the Old Town and on the Austrian Way of St. James from the Arlberg to Einsiedeln in Switzerland. The Church of the Holy Cross was built from 1932 to 1934 according to plans by the architect Albert Otto Linder. It contains stained-glass artworks by Carl Rieder created in 1934: the arched windows depict four angels and symbols of the eight Beatitudes. Above Bludenz Old Town, the old St. Lawrence Church also stands out with its distinctive onion dome.

The “Industrial Culture” cultural trail connects four important industrial buildings in the middle of Bludenz Old Town, some of which are no longer used in their original form, as well as the founding house of the Getzner, Mutter & Cie. company. At Remise Bludenz, regional, national and international artists receive a professional stage; the venue also boasts outstanding acoustics.

Chocolate, Beer and Special Insights

Bludenz also has a distinctive culinary and industrial side. Milka Alpine Milk chocolate has been produced in Bludenz since 1907. The Milka-Lädele combines a factory outlet for the Milka company with a small museum on the history of chocolate. The Brewery Museum is located in the old joinery of the Fohrenburg Brewery. The joinery is the oldest building in the brewery; the brewery’s Stuba there provides space for beer tastings.

These attractions open up various travel ideas: you can include urban history, regional production and culinary enjoyment in your plans or combine individual stops with a walk through the Old Town. This makes it possible to create a varied stay for travellers with different interests without focusing on the same theme every day.

Muttersberg, Themed Trails and Mountain Art

The scenic Muttersberg rises above the Alpine town of Bludenz. You can reach it on foot or by cable car in just a few minutes. From the Muttersberg sun terrace, the view stretches from the peaks of the Verwall and Rätikon ranges over the Churfirsten and the Swiss Alpstein mountains to the Großes Walsertal.

Directly east of the mountain station lies a species-rich nutrient-poor meadow. There is also a narrow strip with rare plants near the inn in Laz. Endangered species found there include Kiel garlic, clustered bellflower and oxlip. Those interested in mountain landscapes and details of nature will find a different approach here than on the historic tour through the city.

The Alpine Art Muttersberg circular trail above Nüziders and Bludenz showcases works by eight renowned artists. Each station is unique and shaped by individual perspectives on life in the mountains. The “Sunna-Weg” cultural and historical themed trail offers another combination of movement and history, running along the municipalities of Nüziders, Bludenz and Braz. The second stage leads from the Daneu Bridge in Bludenz to Rungelin.

Choose the Right Starting Point for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house in Bludenz, the type of trip you want can help guide your choice. If you would like to gather historical impressions, you can focus on the “Städtle”, the City Museum, the churches and the Old Town Tour. For a trip featuring mountain views, nature observation and outdoor art, Muttersberg, Alpine Art and the “Sunna-Weg” are obvious themes. Those seeking relaxation along the way will find a public sauna area at Val Blu with a Finnish sauna, Swiss stone pine infusions and a pond sauna that is unique in western Austria.

More Destinations to Compare

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Bludenz, you can find Blons, Innerbraz, the Municipality of Ludesch, Gaschurn, Klösterle, Nüziders, Bartholomäberg and Brand here.

To the overarching travel overview: Bludenz.