"Capital of a tiny Principality" a Vaduz Travel Page by Ramonq

For someone who does not see snow that often, this place gave it to me by the bucket load. Liechtenstein is a winter wonderland. Crisp Alpine air, evergreen trees and majestic mountains covered by powdery snow complete the picture-perfect postcard scenery. The Tyrolean mountains are everywhere to be seen. They completely dominate the horizon and after a heavy downfall of snow, the entire place appears blindingly white. It may look beautiful, but it's much nicer to see it from the comfort of a warm patisserie, of which Vaduz has quite a few.

Liechtenstein is a tiny prinicpality between Switzerland and Austria. It's right in the heart of the Alpine skiing region; and during the winter months, the place is full of ski afficionados on their way to Innsbruck or St Gallen. I had no idea why this land is even an independent nation because I did not feel that I've left Switzerland at all. Liechtenstein's culture and economy is very much intertwined with Switzerland, so why bother becoming an separate nation? It's one of those European curiosity, like Andorra, Monaco or San Marino, a throwback from feudalistic times when noblemen had their own realms.

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Historical Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein was under the Roman Empire and a road crossed the area from north to south. This road was well protected from the barbaric Germanic tribes by the Romans because the ancient highway was one of the empire's important route in the alpine region. With the fall of the Roman empire, Christianity found its way in Liechtenstein, and the Christianised Germanic people from the north settled in the area. Liechtenstein then became part of a German Dukedom in the country of Lower Rhaetia. The dukedom was governed by 4 noble families, with Vaduz emerging as one of the two domains which also included Schellenberg. Prince Johann Adam von Liechtenstein bought these two domains in the early 18th century as a means to acquire seats and votes in the government. So in 1719, the Principality of Liechtenstein was founded as decreed by Kaiser Karl VI

Liectenstein fell under Napoleon in 1806 but he granted the principality sovereignty under the condition that it recognises him as their protector. But the country became part of the German confederation which eventually dissolved in the 1860's which marked Liechtenstein final separation from Germany. The tiny country hasn't had an army since that dissolution. A liberal democratic constitution was made and the country formed special relationships with neighbouring Switzerland and the Austro-Hungarian empire.

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Vaduz, capital city

Schaan-Vaduz has taken the role of the capital of Liechtenstein. It's a small Tyrolean town that has all the hallmarks of a Germanic village such as Teutonic architecture, manicured lawns, and neatly organised layout. It's very pleasant to wander around Vaduz winter or summer. Its village atmosphere, with clean mountain air, makes it a good choice for a relaxed holiday. I'll never forget the mesmerising sight of snow from a warm cozy pastry shop as I whiled around drinking hot cocoa and freshly baked apfel strudel in front of a fireplace. For me, that was truly an Alpine experience, everything that I imagined the region to be, ie., a beautiful cold place.

Although the scenery is good enough reason to visit the country, there are a few things to see and do in tiny Liechtenstein. Within the land area that's only 16 miles long and 4 miles wide are popular ski resorts in the Malbun and Steg areas; and Liechtenstein has set up a great ski museum in Vaduz which depicts the history of skiing. There's also the Schloss Vaduz which overlooks the town, but this is closed to the public because the prince of Liechtenstein actually lives there! Vaduz main landmark is the church of St Florin. It has a very tall spire that completely dominates the town's skyline. Vaduz is a lowrise town and so it's very easy to spot the church made of stones.

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Lucky country

Vaduz is a clean orderly capital city of a tiny principality which has one of the highest standard of living in the world. It is an affluent little country with very little unemployment and life is easy and contented despite its cold winters. It's economy is tied with Switzerland and it uses Swiss Francs as its currency. Liechtenstein has it all, independence, affluence, and beautiful clean surroundings. But one thing that I find intriguing about the place is that it is a neutral country and it does not have an army (similar to Costa Rica). Liechtenstein is therefore a country at peace with itself.