Lech am Arlberg
Encyclopedia
Lech am Arlberg is a mountain village (population: 1635, 30 June 2010) and an exclusive ski resort
in the Bludenz district
of Vorarlberg
, in western Austria
, on the banks of the river Lech. In terms of both geography and history, Lech belongs to the Tannberg district. In tourist terms, however, it is part of the Arlberg region.
Lech was founded in the fourteenth century by Walser
migrants from the canton of Wallis
in Switzerland. Until the nineteenth century it was known as Tannberg, but subsequently the full name "Tannberg am Lech" gave rise to the present name Lech. The church of St Nicholas in Lech, which is thought to have been built in approximately 1390, was the parish church of the Tannberg administrative district, and there was also a Tannberg district court in Lech until the dissolution of the Tannberg district in 1806. In recent years Lech has grown to become one of the world's premier ski destinations and the home of a number of world and Olympic ski champions. It is administered together with the neighbouring villages of Zürs
, Zug, Oberlech and Stubenbach.
Lech is best known for its skiing (both on-piste and off-piste). It is well connected via mechanical lifts and groomed pistes with the neighbouring villages of Zürs
, St Christof, St. Anton
and Stuben - together they form the Arlberg
region, the birth place of the modern Alpine skiing technique and the seat of the Ski Club Arlberg. Lech is also the starting and finishing point for "Der Weisse Ring" ("The White Ring"), a circle of runs and lifts that is a popular tour and the scene of an annual race involving both experts and others.
Although not as well frequented in the summer as it is in the winter, Lech nevertheless has much to offer the summer visitor, in terms of sporting, cultural, culinary and other activities.
There are many premier hotels in Lech, as well as numerous top class restaurants. Lech is a popular holiday destination for Royal families and celebrities, for example Tom Cruise
, Diana, Princess of Wales
, and Queen Beatrix and family. The mountain holiday in the movie Bridget Jones' Diary 2 was shot in Lech. One former well-known visitor was the writer Ludwig Bemelmans
(author of the Madeline
books), whose 1949 novel "The Eye of God" was set in a fictionalised Lech.
Lech has a number of points of cultural interest, including:
, Avon, Colorado
, United States of America Kampen, Sylt
, Germany Hakuba, Happo, Japan
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
in the Bludenz district
Bludenz (district)
The Bezirk Bludenz is an administrative district in Vorarlberg, Austria.Area of the district is 1,287.52 km², population is 60,471 , and population density 47 persons per km²...
of Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is the westernmost federal-state of Austria. Although it is the second smallest in terms of area and population , it borders three countries: Germany , Switzerland and Liechtenstein...
, in western Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, on the banks of the river Lech. In terms of both geography and history, Lech belongs to the Tannberg district. In tourist terms, however, it is part of the Arlberg region.
Lech was founded in the fourteenth century by Walser
Walser
The Walser are German-speaking people who live in the Alps of Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein and Austria. The Walser people are named after the Wallis , the uppermost Rhône River valley...
migrants from the canton of Wallis
Wallis
- Places :* Valais, a Swiss canton with the German name "Wallis"* Walliswil bei Niederbipp* Walliswil bei Wangen* Wallis Islands- Others :* Wallis , a British clothing retailer* Wallis Theatres, an Australian cinema franchise- See also :...
in Switzerland. Until the nineteenth century it was known as Tannberg, but subsequently the full name "Tannberg am Lech" gave rise to the present name Lech. The church of St Nicholas in Lech, which is thought to have been built in approximately 1390, was the parish church of the Tannberg administrative district, and there was also a Tannberg district court in Lech until the dissolution of the Tannberg district in 1806. In recent years Lech has grown to become one of the world's premier ski destinations and the home of a number of world and Olympic ski champions. It is administered together with the neighbouring villages of Zürs
Zürs
Zürs at the Flexenpass is a ski resort consisting of only a couple of hotels in Vorarlberg, Austria. Zürs is part of the Arlberg ski region and famous for its skiing, especially its backcountry skiing and its Olympic skiing champions...
, Zug, Oberlech and Stubenbach.
Lech is best known for its skiing (both on-piste and off-piste). It is well connected via mechanical lifts and groomed pistes with the neighbouring villages of Zürs
Zürs
Zürs at the Flexenpass is a ski resort consisting of only a couple of hotels in Vorarlberg, Austria. Zürs is part of the Arlberg ski region and famous for its skiing, especially its backcountry skiing and its Olympic skiing champions...
, St Christof, St. Anton
St. Anton
Sankt Anton am Arlberg is a village and ski resort in Tyrol, western Austria, with a permanent population of approximately . It is situated at above sea level in the Tyrolean Alps, with Aerial tramways and chairlifts up to . It is also a popular summer resort among trekkers and...
and Stuben - together they form the Arlberg
Arlberg
Arlberg is a mountain range or massif between Vorarlberg and Tyrol in Austria.The highest peak is the "Valluga" at . The name Arlberg derives from the tradition of the "Arlenburg," who are said to have once established themselves on the Tyrolean side of the Arlberg passes . Another story derives...
region, the birth place of the modern Alpine skiing technique and the seat of the Ski Club Arlberg. Lech is also the starting and finishing point for "Der Weisse Ring" ("The White Ring"), a circle of runs and lifts that is a popular tour and the scene of an annual race involving both experts and others.
Although not as well frequented in the summer as it is in the winter, Lech nevertheless has much to offer the summer visitor, in terms of sporting, cultural, culinary and other activities.
There are many premier hotels in Lech, as well as numerous top class restaurants. Lech is a popular holiday destination for Royal families and celebrities, for example Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
, Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
, and Queen Beatrix and family. The mountain holiday in the movie Bridget Jones' Diary 2 was shot in Lech. One former well-known visitor was the writer Ludwig Bemelmans
Ludwig Bemelmans
Ludwig Bemelmans was an Austrian author, an internationally known gourmet, and a writer and illustrator of children's books. He is most noted today for his Madeline books, six of which were published from 1939-1961...
(author of the Madeline
Madeline
Madeline is a children's book series written by Ludwig Bemelmans, an Austrian author. The books have been adapted into numerous formats, spawning telefilms, television series and a live action feature film...
books), whose 1949 novel "The Eye of God" was set in a fictionalised Lech.
Lech has a number of points of cultural interest, including:
- the church of St Nicholas, which was built in the gothic style in approximately 1390 and was extensively renovated in 1987. Particular features are the rococo interior dating from 1791 (although some earlier romanesque frescoes can also be seen); the 33 metre high tower with its distinctive onion-shaped dome; and bronze bells of which the oldest dates from the beginning of the sixteenth century
- the historic Huber House, now a museum, which was built in 1590 and shows examples of the earlier way of life and work, including the original kitchen and workshop
- one hundred life sized human sculptures by the sculptor Antony GormleyAntony GormleyAntony Mark David Gormley OBE RA is a British sculptor. His best known works include the Angel of the North, a public sculpture in the North of England, commissioned in 1995 and erected in February 1998, Another Place on Crosby Beach near Liverpool, and Event Horizon, a multi-part site...
, which have recently been placed in the mountains surrounding Lech, at an altitude of 2039 metres. They will be displayed on the mountain until April 2012.
Notable residents
- Trudi Beiser, 1940s and 1950s Olympic skiing champion and World skiing champion
- Othmar SchneiderOthmar SchneiderOthmar Schneider is an Austrian former Alpine skier. At the 1952 Olympics in Oslo Schneider was gold medalist in the slalom and silver medalist in the downhill.-References:...
, 1950s Olympic skiing champion - Egon ZimmermannEgon ZimmermannEgon Zimmermann , often referred to as Egon Zimmermann II, is a former alpine skier from Austria...
, 1960s Olympic skiing champion and World skiing champion - Patrick OrtliebPatrick OrtliebPatrick Ortlieb is a former champion alpine ski racer from Austria. He was an Olympic and world champion in the downhill event.Ortlieb started skiing relatively late at the age of 13...
, 1990s Olympic skiing champion and World skiing champion
Sister cities
Beaver Creek ResortBeaver Creek Resort
Beaver Creek Resort is a major United States ski resort near Avon, Colorado, run by Vail Resorts. The resort comprises three villages, the main Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead to the west...
, Avon, Colorado
Avon, Colorado
Avon is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous town in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. The population was 5,561 at the 2000 census. Avon is the gateway to the Beaver Creek Resort which lies about two miles south of the town. It was the previous site of Vail Resorts before the...
, United States of America Kampen, Sylt
Kampen, Germany
Kampen is a municipality on the island Sylt, in the district of Nordfriesland, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is located north of the island's main town, Westerland, and was first recorded in 1534.-History:...
, Germany Hakuba, Happo, Japan