Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Welcome to Vaduz, the charming capital city of Liechtenstein located along the Rhine River. Vaduz is home to the reigning prince of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein princely family, and its most prominent landmark is the magnificent Vaduz Castle, perched atop a steep hill overlooking the city. The city’s distinctive architecture is also displayed in landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. Florin, Government House, City Hall, the National Art Gallery, and the National Museum. Although Vaduz is the best-known town in the principality internationally, it is not the largest; neighbouring Schaan has a larger population. The name of Vaduz had been first recorded as de Faduzes. The name of the settlement, like most other towns in the Rhine Valley region, is of Romance origin. The city experiences a noticeable increase in precipitation during the summer, but in general all twelve months see some precipitation. Vaduz receives, on average, approximately 900 mm (35.43 in) of precipitation per year. With 67% the population is predominantly Roman Catholic, while the percentage of Catholics is significantly higher among residents with Liechtenstein nationality (81%) than among foreigner residents (47%). The National Art Gallery as well as the National Museum are located in Vaduz and the art gallery is a museum of modern and contemporary art. Vaduz has a lively tourist industry, despite being one of the very few capital cities in the world without an airport – the nearest major airport is that of Zürich, at a distance of 120 km (75 mi). Vaduz has no railway station as such and is not directly served by a railway line. The city has two primary schools, Äule Primary School, and Ebenholz Primary School, and also has Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium. With all of its unique attractions and rich history, Vaduz is a must-visit destination for any traveler.