Bregenz, Austria

Bregenz, Austria
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bregenz_Blick_von_der_Oberstadt.jpg
Author: Karsten Juhl


Bregenz is a city on the eastern shore of Lake Constance, at the extreme western section of Austria. Located facing Germany and Switzerland, the city of Bregenz is the state capital of Vorarlberg, the westernmost state of Austria. It covers 29.51 sq km n(11 sq mi) and has a population of 27,000 (2011 estimate). The city is 427 m (1,401 ft) above sea level. It observes the Central European Time, which is UTC+1, and in summer UTC+2 during Daylight Saving Time.

Bregenz is at the foot of Pfänder Mountain, on the shore of Lake Constance. The area has seen human habitation going back to as early as 1,500 BC. Celtic tribes settled here in the 5th century BC, and following them, the Romans set up an encampment in 15 BC. At that time, the settlement was called Brigantium. It was destroyed by a conquering Alemanni tribe in AD 259.

Bregenz was under Bavarian rule from 1805 until 1814, when it returned to Austrian rule. The city was partially destroyed during the Second World War but has since been rebuilt. The city holds the annual summer music festival, Bregenzer Festspiele, on a stage on Lake Constance. During the festival, different operas are staged in rotation every second year.

Pedestrian zone on Kaiserstrasse in Bregenz
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaiserstrasse_01.JPG
Author: böhringer friedrich

Visiting Bregenz

You can get to Bregenz by taking the train from Vienna. It makes stops in Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck on its way to the city. If you prefer to come by road, take the Austrian Autobahn A14.

The nearest major airport is Zurich Airport (ZRH) in neighboring Switzerland. From there, you still have to take a train to reach Bregenz. You can also fly Ryanair from London Stansted to the Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH) in Germany. From there, take a commuter train to Friedrichshafen Railway Station and transfer to another train to Bregenz.

Places of Interest in Bregenz

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