Vaduz Castle
Vaduz Castle
The Vaduz Castle, formerly called High Liechtenstein, located on a rocky terrace above Vaduz, the capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Today, it is the town's landmark and seat of the Princely House of Liechtenstein.
Location
The Vaduz Castle is situated on a rocky terrace about 120 meters above the town of Vaduz. To the south, the lock is delimited by almost vertical mountainsides from the Rhine valley, while in the east, north and west stretches a smaller level.
History
Genesis
The time of origin of the castle is not safe in use. Today is assumed, however, that the first parts of the building have been built in the 12th century. The keep was probably built as one of the first buildings and later by a residential tower, which can be dated thanks dendrochronological analysis to the year 1287. In the following decades, the plant was gradually expanded and extended.
Late Middle Ages
1322 the castle was mentioned for the first time: The system was including construction and tree garden at the castle and including people in Vaduz and Triesen for 400 silver marks Vogt Ulrich pledged by mud. 1338 Ulrich von Montfort received the castle as Leibgeding. In the division of Sarganser Count on May 3, 1342 was Count Hartmann III. Become mountain of the castle and the area. When Count Hartmann I, he took seat in his castle and named his line after the seat of power.
From 1416 to 1507 were Vaduz castle and territory owned by the Barons of Brandis. In the Swabian War, the Confederates burned the castle on February 12, 1499. Burgherr Ludwig von Brandis made after the peace agreement and its release for the restoration of the castle.
Modern Times
1507-1613 were the Counts of Sulz owners. They settled expand the castle and fortress improve in technical terms. Thus, inter alia, a chapel and two washers built with a wall thickness of about five meters, which served both as artillery bastion as well as homes.
Followed you as the owner of the counts of Hohenems, who completed the castle until 1712.
Since 1712 the castle is owned by the Prince of Liechtenstein. In the period 1712-1732 it served, now called High Liechtenstein, as the seat of the sheriff's service apartments in the west wing. In the following decades and centuries, the castle fell into disrepair increasingly so in the early 20th century first recovery plans have been created.
Prince Johann II undertook from 1905 to 1912 under the leadership of Franz von Wieser from Innsbruck, finally a thorough restoration. As an architect Alois Gstrein worked from Bressanone. Prince Franz Josef II had to expand it livable and in 1939 with his family permanent residence in the castle.
The castle is privately owned by the royal family and therefore can not be viewed by the public. The reigning sovereign receives in the lock state guests and other visitors to private conversations.
Chapel
The chapel on the ground floor of the south wing dates back to the Middle Ages and probably existed at the first mention. However, emerges in no own certificates. In its present form it goes back to the barons of Brandis and is dedicated to St. Anne. In 1511, a still existing St. Anne's Fraternity was founded in Liechtenstein. As court chapel was once the church of St. Florian, which is why the chapel had no own chaplain. The late- Gothic winged altar of the chapel shows a Vesper group. The wings have inner motives with Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara. The outside shows the martyrdom of the 10,000 knights. On the predella of the martyrdom of the 11,000 virgins presented at Cologne. In the tabernacle of the canopy are three statuettes: Anne with Two Others, Saint Sebastian and Martin of Tours. The chapel is now a private chapel of the royal family and is regularly used for worship.
National holiday
On the National Day of the Principality, 15 August, takes place on the castle meadow instead of the act of state: first the feast high mass - usually celebrated by Bishop Wolfgang Haas - after speeches of the Prince and the President of Parliament. In most cases, the princely family invites the public following the official ceremony for an aperitif in the castle garden. When fireworks at the end of the National Day can be seen on the city side wall front the fiery letters For God, Prince and Fatherland and a fire case.