Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein, a small country wedged between Switzerland and Austria in Central Europe. The city lies near the eastern edge of the nation in the Rhine River valley. Although very small, Vaduz attracts many tourists with its cultural and historical sites.

Places of interest

Vaduz has a long history, and it retains a number of monuments from its past. The most famous is the Vaduz Castle, which overlooks the town and is the home of the country's ruling prince. Built during the 14th century, the castle was used as a military outpost, a prison, a restaurant, and a seat of government before becoming the royal residence.

As the cultural center of Liechtenstein, Vaduz has a number of galleries and museums. The State Art Collection includes art that was collected over the years by Liechtenstein's princes. The Liechtenstein National Museum displays Roman artifacts such as coins and weapons. The Liechtenstein Postal Museum has a collection of all the stamps issued by the country since 1912. Also in Vaduz is the National Library, with a large collection of books, magazines, newspapers, and other media.

Economy

Vaduz, a city of just several thousand residents, has few major industries. Tourism is key to the economy, and the government actively encourages the tourist trade. Small factories in the city produce such goods as high-tech equipment and precision instruments.

History

Vaduz was first mentioned in historical documents in 1322. The town was destroyed in 1499 in a war between Switzerland and the Holy Roman Empire. It was rebuilt in the early 16th century and became an independent county in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1719 Vaduz was combined with the state of Schellenberg to form the new principality of Liechtenstein. In 1866 Liechtenstein became an independent country with Vaduz as its capital. In 1938 Prince Franz Josef II became the first prince to live in the castle of Vaduz, a tradition that has continued since then. Population (1999 estimate), 5,106.