Feldkirch between the Old Town, Nature and Culinary Delights

Feldkirch combines a medieval-style centre with viewpoints, forest paths, natural areas, markets and a varied cultural programme. If you are looking for accommodation in Feldkirch, you can shape your stay according to your interests, focusing on history, walks, regional products or events. This also means that travel groups with different preferences have several clearly distinct places to visit.

Historic landmark: The Powder Tower was part of the southern town wall near the Mühletor gate and was built in 1460.

Castle complex: The high medieval Schattenburg is considered one of the best-preserved castle complexes in Central Europe.

Forest paths: On the Ardetzenberg, a nature trail with a long and a short loop is one of the hiking options.

Natural area: The Bangs-Matschels area is located in Feldkirch and covers 447.31 hectares; in early summer, millions of Siberian irises transform the wet meadows into a sea of blue flowers.

Weekly market: The market takes place year-round on Tuesdays and Saturdays and offers regional and seasonal products.

Seasonal activity: Public ice skating is available at the Vorarlberghalle from October onwards; skates can be hired on site.

History and Art in the City Centre

Feldkirch’s history is reflected not only in individual buildings but also in the city’s political heritage. On 17 December 1376, Count Rudolf V of Montfort issued the Feldkirch Charter of Liberties. In nine paragraphs, he granted the citizens extensive rights, participation in decision-making and existing privileges. Today, the medieval centre invites visitors to take a stroll through cobbled streets, narrow lanes and romantic arcades.

St Nicholas Cathedral is a late Gothic church whose reconstruction was completed in 1478. Inside are a wrought-iron pulpit from 1520 and the St Anne Altarpiece by Wolf Huber. The Johanniterkirche offers another way to experience culture: since 1995, it has served as an exhibition space for contemporary art and installations from Austria and abroad.

The Powder Tower is also connected with the city’s cultural life. The City of Feldkirch uses it as an art space in the historic centre. The GUK cinema keeps the arthouse tradition alive, showing a diverse international film programme. Through its cooperation with the Tas cinema of the Saumarkt cultural association, many films are shown in their original language. Depending on your interests, a day in the city can therefore be complemented with architecture, visual art or international cinema.

For independent exploration, an audio guide leads you on a self-guided tour through the Old Town and explains monuments, magnificent façades and historic buildings. Those who prefer a guided introduction can take the public city tour on Wednesdays. It takes visitors through Feldkirch’s historic centre for one and a half hours.

Views, Paths and Nature

Several paths combine exercise with different perspectives. The walking path to Stadtschrofen leads to a viewpoint overlooking Feldkirch. An official walking route also leads to the Hohes and Niederes Känzele viewpoints and back through the Felsenauschlucht gorge. The two options therefore differ mainly in their specific destinations and their connection with the gorge landscape.

The keep of Schattenburg offers views of the surrounding mountains and Feldkirch. Those who would like to combine the historic character with another destination can take a path from Tostner Burg down to the little church of St Corneli, the old parish church of Tosters. Tostner Burg itself was built around 1260 by the Counts of Montfort, the founders of Feldkirch.

On the Ardetzenberg, the wildlife park can be explored along a circular path. The route offers views of houses built on the rocks of the Ill gorge in the historic Feldkirch district of „Im Kehr“. The wildlife park is home to more than 160 animals from 26 species. Guided tours are also available, led by certified forest or hunting educators.

The former „Margarethenkapf“ park is another possible destination for a walk. A path leads into the part accessible to visitors. The von Tschavoll family had the park created in the second half of the 19th century. For longer cycling tours, EuroVelo 15 passes the Old Town and follows the Ill through alluvial forests to the Illspitz. The Vorarlberg section runs from Feldkirch to Höchst.

Weekly Market, Wine and Special Events

The weekly market brings together regional and seasonal products on two fixed days of the week. The „Culinary Tours at the Weekly Market“ combine stories from the market’s history, encounters with market traders and tastings of seasonal specialities. As a result, the focus is not only on shopping but also on the history of the market and interaction with the vendors.

Feldkirch’s wine culture includes small vineyards below Schattenburg and on the Ardetzenberg and Amberg. Feldkirch wines include Ardetzenberger Rivaner, also known as Müller-Thurgau. The traditional wine festival lasts three days and celebrates the enjoyment of wine. Another recurring event is the poolbar Festival, which takes place in Feldkirch every year.

Activities for Different Types of Travel Days

In addition to historic sightseeing and walks, Feldkirch offers activities for days with a different focus. The indoor go-kart track has a 360-metre high-speed circuit covering 4,000 m². From October onwards, public ice skating at the Vorarlberghalle adds to this selection; skates can be hired on site. Visitors can use the cloister at the Capuchin Monastery in Feldkirch. This allows culture, exercise, nature and regional cuisine to be weighted differently when planning a trip, without every day having to feel the same.

Further places to help you get oriented in the region: Frastanz, Schnifis, Furx, Götzis, Röthis, Rankweil, Feldkirch, Laterns, Viktorsberg, Dafins, Dünserberg, Schlins, Göfis, Klaus.

For the overarching travel overview: Vorarlberg.