Arnoldstein
Arnoldstein is a market town in the Carinthian region of Austria, in the Villach-Land district. At the meeting point of the Gailitz and Gail rivers, it is close to the borders with Slovenia and Italy. Arnoldstein offers natural wonders and leisure pursuits together with a rich history and culture.
Winter sports aficionados in particular love Arnoldstein. Dreiländereck is the ski resort in the town; it contains cross-country routes, a toboggan run, and slopes suitable for all skill levels of skiers and snowboarders. Perched at the meeting point of Slovenia, Italy, and Austria, the resort offers a perspective of three distinct nations and cultures.
Also a terrific location to learn about the local history and culture is Arnoldstein. Bishop Otto of Bamberg constructed the Benedictine monastery, whose ruins you may see. Up to its dissolution in 1783, the abbey served as a centre of culture and commerce. Festivals and concerts are held in the ruins these days. Visits to the nearby museum and the Schrotturm, a tower that was a component of the abbey’s defenses, are also possible.
Among the most well-known choirs in Carinthia, the Grenzlandchor Arnoldstein, is another cultural draw. Having been established in 1952, the choir has given concerts in several nations and events. Singing both contemporary and traditional music in several languages, the choir captures the variety of the area.
Two nearby companies that make organic oils and cosmetics are Manufaktur Mandorla and the farm “der Gams,” if you’re interested in regional goods and crafts. You may purchase some of their items and get information about their procedures. Workshops and guided excursions are other services they provide.
Visitors interested in learning more about the military past of the border region can tour the 11,000 square meter Wurzenpass bunker museum. The border region’s history and the bunker’s part in both World War II and the Cold War are on display in the museum. You are free to tour the bunker’s chambers, displays, and tunnels.
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Geography Of Arnoldstein
Arnoldstein is a town in southern Carinthia, close to the borders with Slovenia and Italy. The village sits at the meeting point of the Drava river’s tributaries, the Gailitz and Gail rivers. The population of the 54.8 square kilometer town is around 7,000.
Mountains like the Dreiländereck, the Dobratsch, the Mittagskogel, and the Wurzenpass around the town. Standing at 1,508 meters, the Dreiländereck is the town’s highest point. The Gail River, at 545 meters, is the lowest point.
The town has mild summers and chilly winters. There are 1,150 millimetres of average annual precipitation and 9.4°C of average annual temperature. With winter snowfall and summer thunderstorms, the town experiences four different seasons.
Demographics Of Arnoldstein
The population of Arnoldstein is 7,042 as of the 2020 census, 3,519 of whom are male and 3,523 of them are female. 128.5 persons are living in each square kilometer. Ninety-three percent of the population is Austrian, and most of them are nationals of that country. Slovenians (2.1%), Germans (1.4%), Italians (0.9%) and Croats (0.6%) are the biggest minority groups.
Although Slovenian, Italian and Croatian are also spoken in the town, German is the official language. The town is a part of Villach-Land’s bilingual district, which recognises Slovenian and German as official languages. In the town, 74.8% of the population is Roman Catholic. At 7.8% of the population, the Evangelical Church is the second biggest religious group. Either none of the remaining population practices any religion at all or practices several religions.
At 93.8% of the population having finished required schooling, the town has a high degree of education. The community is home to two elementary schools, one secondary school, one vocational school, and one music school. A public library, a cultural center, and a sports facility are other features of the town.
Districts & Neighborhoods in Arnoldstein
There are eleven districts in Arnoldstein, and each district is further split into twenty-eight communities.
- Arnoldstein: The town’s administrative and major district is Arnoldstein. With the abbey remains, the museum, the Schrotturm, and the town hall, it comprises the town’s historic center. In addition, there is the industrial zone, bus terminal, and main railway station.
- Hart: An area along the Gail river to the north of the town. It is rural, with fields and farms. Along with the fire station, there is a chapel and a cemetery.
- Maglern: The area close to the Italian border in the south of the town. With both business and residential sections, its character is mixed. There is a motel, a petrol station, and a customs office as well.
- Neuhaus an der Gail: East of the town, beside the Gail River, is the Neuhaus a der Gail neighborhood. It is a rural area with woods and farmland. There is a school, a church, and a sports field as well.
- Pöckau: A section close to the Slovenian border, west of the town. Meadows and farmland give it a rustic feel. A school, a playground, and a church are further features.
- Radendorf: A section of the town situated along the Gailitz River to the north. It is rustic in feel, with orchards and farms. It includes a fire station, a school, and a church as well.
- Riegersdorf: Southwest of the town, along the Gailitz river, is the Riegersdorf district. It is rustic in feel, with vineyards and farmland. It includes a fire station, a school, and a church as well.
- Seltschach: A neighbourhood close to the Slovenian border, south of the town. Its hilly terrain includes the Wurzenpass bunker museum and the Dreiländereck ski resort. Along with a hotel, it features a school and a church.
- St. Leonhard bei Siebenbrünn: Northeast of the town, beside the Gail River, is the St. Leonhard bei Siebenbrünn neighborhood. It is rustic in feel, with grasslands and farms. It includes a fire station, a school, and a church as well.
- Thörl-Maglern-Greuth: Southeast of the city, close to the Italian border, is the Thörl-Maglern-Greuth area. With its woodlands and farms, it exudes rustic charm. It includes a fire station, a school, and a church as well.
- Tschau: A section of the town north of the Gail River. It is rural, with fields and farms. There is a school, a church, and a fire station as well.
Economy Of Arnoldstein
Arnoldstein’s economy is balanced among industry, trade, tourism, and agriculture. Strong agricultural activities in the town include beekeeping, fruit cultivation, winemaking, and dairy farming. Together with papermaking, chemical manufacturing, metallurgy, and woodworking, the town boasts a robust industrial sector. The town boasts a thriving commercial district with stores, eateries, banks and other services. The ski resort, the abbey remains, the bunker museum and the choir draw tourists from all across the town, which is seeing tremendous growth in tourism.
In 2020, just 4.2% of the population in the town will be unemployed. At an average of 24,000 euros a year, the municipality enjoys a high income level. In 2020, 8.9% of the population in the town is expected to be at danger of poverty or social exclusion.
History Of Arnoldstein
The Roman Road that connected Aquileia and Virunum close to the contemporary city of Klagenfurt, the provincial headquarters of the Noricum, along the Gailitz Creek, is proof that the area around Arnoldstein was formerly inhabited.
The castle’s purported builder, a knight by the name of Arnold, was most likely a ministerialis employed by the Bamberg bishops. Following his coronation in 1014, Emperor Henry II granted the diocese of Bamberg significant lands in the Duchy of Carinthia, which had formerly belonged to the Patriarchs of Aquileia. Actually, the castle was built about 1085. Here in 1106 AD, Bishop Otto of Bamberg established a Benedictine abbey to guard his Carinthian fiefs. But in 1176 the monks were compelled to submit to the secular Vogt dominion of the Carinthian Sponsorheim dukes. Middle of the fourteenth century, the Black Death pandemic and the Friuli earthquake in 1348 totally devastated their lands.
To help with the economic situation, the bishop of Bamberg and the abbot of Arnoldstein gave Ulrich, Georg, and Jacob Fugger, three Austro-German merchants, permission to use the nearby ore reserves and build smelting facilities, primarily for copper and silver, in 1495. Up until the Arnoldstein monastery repurchased the land in 1570, the Fugger family had a business in Fuggererau mostly engaged in trade along the way to Venice. Together with the fallout from the Protestant Reformation, the debt nearly bankrupted the abbey. The old foundry location is currently identified by an 1814 shot tower.
Once again, Arnoldstein thrived during the Counter-Reformation. The Austrian House of Habsburg had to make many attempts to seize the properties, but the monastery was ultimately abolished in 1783 by Emperor Joseph II’s edict. All that remained of the building after it burnt down in 1883 was rubble. Ever since 1980, the property has been gradually restored.
Best Time To Visit Arnoldstein
Your interests and tastes will determine when is the best to visit Arnoldstein. Should you enjoy winter activities, you should come to Arnoldstein between December and March when the ski area is open and the snow is plenty. On the Dreiländereck’s slopes and paths, you may do cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing and skiing. Admire the town’s joyous mood and the winter landscape as well.
Arnoldstein is best visited between April and October when the weather is pleasant and the surroundings are in flower. Visit the natural features like the Dobratsch mountain, the Wurzenpass, the Gail and Gailitz rivers, and the hiking and bike paths around the town. The town has cultural events and festivals as well, including the wine festival, choir concerts, and abbey concerts.
How To Get In Arnoldstein
Many kinds of transportation make Arnoldstein easily reachable. Entering Arnoldstein can be done by:
- Car: Arnoldstein is linked to the A2 highway, which connects Vienna with Klagenfurt and finally the Italian border. The B111 route connects Villach with the Slovenian border. Arnoldstein has a number of paid and free parking lots and garages.
- Train: Regional and international trains service the railway station in Arnoldstein. The closest big city, Villach, provides train service to other Austrian and European cities. The closest Italian town, Tarvisio, also offers train service to other Italian and Slovenian towns. The Austrian Federal Railways’ (ÖBB) website has the timetable and ticket rates. You may purchase a ticket there or online.
- Bus: Both local and regional buses run out of the bus station in Arnoldstein. The bus service from Villach to Arnoldstein and other districts’ towns is frequent. Tarvisio busses also run occasionally to Arnoldstein and other nearby communities. Buy a ticket at the station or on the bus; the Carinthian Transport Association’s (VVK) website has the schedule and pricing.
- Air: Arnoldstein is closest to the Klagenfurt Airport, which is around 60 kilometers apart. Flights to and from the airport include those to Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Zurich, London, and other locations. To reach Arnoldstein from the airport, take a shuttle bus, cab, or rail to Villach. The Klagenfurt Airport website includes flight booking and information.
How To Get Around In Arnoldstein
Arnoldstein is a small town, and you can get around in Arnoldstein by:
- Walking: Walking is the greatest approach to see and hear the sights of the town. The town hall, the museum, the Schrotturm, and the abbey remains are all within a short stroll of the railway station. The Gail and Gailitz rivers offer walking paths where you may view the parks, waterfalls, and bridges. You may follow the maps and signposts that are accessible at public areas and the tourist office.
- Cycling: Another method of getting around the town and its environs is by bicycle. Use the bike routes and the roads that are appropriate for cycling after renting a bike from the tourist office or from the bike stores. Situated close by are the villages of Hart, Maglern, Neuhaus, Pöckau, Radendorf, Riegersdorf, Seltschach, St. Leonhard, Thörl-Maglern-Greuth, and Tschau. The natural sites, including the Wurzenpass and the Dobratsch mountain, are also reachable by bike. You may follow the maps and signposts that are accessible at public areas and the tourist office.
- Skiing: In the winter, skiing is a means of getting around the town and its surrounds. About ten kilometers from the town center, the Dreiländereck ski resort is reachable by vehicle or ski bus. Use of the ski lifts and slopes appropriate for various skill levels of skiers and snowboarders is possible. Additionally available to skiers and snowshoers of all skill levels are the cross-country paths and the toboggan run. Maps and signposts are available at the tourist office and ski resort.
Attractions & Landmarks In Arnoldstein
Arnoldstein features several worthwhile sights and attractions. Among the sights and monuments of Arnoldstein are:
- The Benedictine abbey ruins: Bishop Otto of Bamberg erected the Benedictine abbey in 1106. Up to its dissolution in 1783, the abbey served as a centre of culture and commerce. Festivals and concerts are held in the ruins these days. The Schrotturm, a tower once a component of the abbey’s defenses, and the nearby museum are further attractions. The museum and tower have exhibits and artifacts that you may view while learning about the history and culture of the town and the abbey. The ambiance and music produced by the festivals and concerts held in the ruins are another thing to enjoy. The abbey remains are open for tours Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, from May to October. Adult entrance is 4 euros, child admission is 2 euros, and family admission is 8 euros. Groups of ten or more can also arrange a guided tour for five euros per.
- The Dreiländereck ski resort: Perched near the meeting point of Slovenia, Italy, and Austria, this ski resort offers vistas of three distinct nations and civilizations. Together with cross-country paths and a toboggan run, the ski resort has slopes suitable for all skill levels of skiers and snowboarders. In addition, the ski resort offers a variety of leisure pursuits like ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, and curling. The ski resort is open Monday through Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00, from December to March. Seasonal and duration-related ski pass costs range from 15 to 30 euros for individuals, 10 to 20 euros for kids, and 40 to 80 euros for families. The ski resort offers ski instruction and equipment rentals as well.
- The Grenzlandchor Arnoldstein: Among the most well-known choirs in Carinthia. Having been established in 1952, the choir has given concerts in several nations and events. Singing in several languages, the choir captures the variety of the area. You may enjoy the skill and harmony of the singers by listening to recordings and performances of the choir. In addition, you may attend seminars and rehearsals of the choir and discover its background and traditions. The schedule, contact details, and latest news of the choir are available on their website and Facebook page. Additionally available at the tourist office and online are the CDs and DVDs of the choir.
Ski resort Arnoldstein-Dreiländereck
Popular winter sports resort in the Villach Region of Carinthia, Austria, is Arnoldstein-Dreiländereck. Dreiländereck, or “three-country corner,” derives from its proximity to the borders of Slovenia and Italy. The ski area has 15.1 km of runs for all skill levels of skiers and snowboarders, along with a toboggan run and a kids’ section. The Julian Alps and the Karawanks are visible from the sunny and picturesque position of the ski resort. Mid-December to mid-March is when the ski resort is open, with hours of operation being 9:00 to 16:00. Seven lifts total—one chairlift and six drag lifts—serve the ski resort. The ski resort’s lowest point is 680 metres above sea level, while its highest point is 1,550 metres above. A system of snowmaking at the ski resort guarantees excellent snow conditions all year round. Additionally on the ski resort are a sports store, a mountain café, a ski school, and a ski rental. While the ski resort is appropriate for families, novices, and intermediates, expert skiers may find parts of the slopes to be rather difficult. Access to over thirty ski resorts in the area is provided by the TopSkiPass Kärnten & Osttirol, which includes the ski resort. From the neighbouring villages of Arnoldstein, Seltschach, and Villach, the ski resort is conveniently reachable by vehicle or public transportation.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Arnoldstein, Carinthia, Austria |
| Resort Altitude | 680 – 1550 m |
| Ski season | Mid December – Mid March |
| Ski pass prices | € 47 for adults, € 44 for youth, € 25 for children (day ticket) |
| Opening times | 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Number of pistes | 17 |
| Total piste length | 15.1 km |
| Longest Run | 3.2 km |
| Easy Slopes | 4.7 km (31%) |
| Moderate Slopes | 7.2 km (48%) |
| Advanced Slopes | 3.2 km (21%) |
| Directions of Slopes | N, NE, E |
| Night skiing | No |
| Snow Making | Yes |
| Total Lifts | 7 |
| Uphill Capacity | 5,000 persons/hour |
| Highest Lift | 1,550 m |
| Gondolas/Cable cars | 1 |
| Chairlifts | 0 |
| Drag Lifts | 6 |
| Snow Parks | 0 |
| Ski rentals | Yes |
| Après-ski | Yes |
Arnoldstein - Info Card
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Arnoldstein is located at Austria’s southern border between the Carnic Alps and the Karawanken mountain range, near the confluence of the Gailitz and the Gail River |
| Elevation | The elevation of Arnoldstein ranges from 578 m to 1,509 m above sea level |
| Population | The population of Arnoldstein as of 2018 was 7,096 |
| Tourism office | The tourism office of Arnoldstein is located at Seltschach 125, 9601 Arnoldstein. The phone number is +43 4255 2585 5 and the website is www.arnoldstein.co.at |
| Postal code | The postal code of Arnoldstein is 9501 |
| Phone prefix | The phone prefix of Arnoldstein is 04255 |
| Area | The area of Arnoldstein is 67.4 km2 |
| Established | Arnoldstein was first mentioned in 1085 and became a market town in 1288 |
| Language | The official language of Arnoldstein is German, but some people also speak Slovene and Italian |
| License plate | The license plate of Arnoldstein is VL (for Villach-Land district) |
| Districts & Neighborhoods | Arnoldstein is divided into six districts (Katastralgemeinden) and 21 neighborhoods (Ortschaften). Some of the neighborhoods are Agoritschach, Erlendorf, Gailitz, Hart, Krainberg, Lind, Maglern, Neuhaus an der Gail, Pöckau, Riegersdorf, Seltschach, and Tschau |
| Weather & Climate | Arnoldstein has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 9.3 °C and the average annual precipitation is 1,116 mm. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 19.7 °C and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of -1.4 °C |
| Best Time To Visit | The best time to visit Arnoldstein depends on your preferences and activities. If you like skiing and snowboarding, you can visit the ski resort Dreiländereck from December to March. If you prefer hiking and biking, you can enjoy the scenic trails and views from April to October. If you are interested in culture and history, you can explore the ruins of Arnoldstein abbey and the tripoint marker at any time of the year. |
| Attractions & Landmarks | Some of the attractions and landmarks in and around Arnoldstein are: – The ruins of Arnoldstein abbey, a former Benedictine monastery founded in 1106 and dissolved in 1783 – The tripoint marker, a monument that marks the border between Austria, Italy, and Slovenia at the top of the Ofen mountain – The ski resort Dreiländereck, a family-friendly winter sports area with 17 km of slopes, 7 lifts, and a toboggan run – The Gailtal cycle path, a 90 km long bike route that follows the Gail River from Arnoldstein to Kötschach-Mauthen – The Gailitz valley nature reserve, a protected area that preserves the natural and cultural heritage of the river landscape |
