Geography Of Klagenfurt
Comprising the whole eastern bank of Lake Wörthersee, Klagenfurt is located on the Klagenfurter Feld inside the Klagenfurt Basin and extends 15 km in north-south and east-west directions. With sections of the northern Wölfnitz district already belonging to Zollfeld, the northern portions are part of the Glantal mountain country and the Feldkirchen-Moosburg hill country. Reaching an elevation of 450 m in the city center, the southern part of the city is at the foot of the Sattnitz ridge; Ulrichsberg at 1022 m is the highest point and Gurkerbrücke (420 m) the lowest point.
Of Klagenfurt’s 120 km² municipal territory, around one-third is set aside for forest (32.9%) and agricultural (33.4%). Building land accounts for 19.3%; water covers 2.2%; and gardens occupy 1.3%. The remaining 10.9% comes under “other types of use,” including wasteland, mining sites, and transportation routes. About 150 kilometers away, the Adriatic is approachable via the freeway in roughly two hours.
Filled with the Drau Glacier during the Ice Age, the Klagenfurt Basin developed alluvial fans that produced the subsoil for Zollfeld and the northern urban region. At the same time, Lake Wörthersee developed some 4,000 years ago, gradually silting the moor and spreading into the city center. Whereas the Sattnitz ridge consists of conglomerates, the northern hills consist of ancient crystalline mica schists and Paleozoic phyllites.
Regarding water bodies, the Gurk crosses the Hörtendorf district in the east before joining the Glan near Ebenthal, while the Glan runs west-east across the north. Designed in the 16th century, artificial canals—the Lendkanal, the mostly subterranean Feuerbach—connect the city core with Lake Wörthersee. Popularly known as “Sattnitz,” the Glan Frankfurt empties Lake Wörthersee into the Glan over the southern neighborhoods. Among other rivers are Kerbach, Raba, Struga, Wölfnitz, and Viktringer Bach. Since mid-2007, the urban area of Klagenfurt includes the whole eastern side of Lake Wörthersee, following a name change for the city. Especially among the biggest are the Hallegg ponds within a natural reserve below Hallegg Castle.
There are fifteen municipal districts in Klagenfurt. The urban area at first comprised just the Inner City until 1848. Four nearby suburbs were added in 1850 as political communities started to develop in Austria. Additional developments took place in 1893 and during the 20th century by including independent towns in 1938 and 1973. The districts follow a methodical numbering scheme that results in a geographical arrangement reflecting historical changes and deliberate planning, hence producing the present administrative and residential scene.
Municipal districts with population figures | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Inner city | 438 | |||
| II | Inner city | 709 | |||
| III | Inner city | 868 | |||
| IV | Inner city | 635 | |||
| V | St. Veit suburb | 4,068 | |||
| VI | Völkermarkt suburb | 4,757 | |||
| vii | Victringer suburb | 3,342 | |||
| viii | Villach suburb | 8,423 | |||
| IX | Annabichl | 11,357 | |||
| X | St. Peter | 20,612 | |||
| XI | St. Rupert | 7,284 | |||
| XII | St. Martin | 21,851 | |||
| XIII | Victring | 10.013 | |||
| XIV | Wolfnitz | 5,658 | |||
| XV | Hoertendorf | 2,603 | |||
Location Of Klagenfurt am Wörthersee
Situated in southern Austria close to the Slovenian border, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee Situated north of the Karawanken Mountains, separating Carinthia from Slovenia and Italy, it runs along the Glan River in a basin east of Wörthersee, one of Europe’s biggest and hottest Alpine lakes. Nearly exactly the same distance from Innsbruck in the west as from Vienna in the northeast, it falls in the lower middle of Austria. Rising 446 meters (1,493 feet) above sea level, Klagenfurt occupies 120.03 square kilometers (46.38 square miles).
Geographical Position
Situated in the main mountain range system of Central Europe, the Central Eastern Alps, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is It falls in the Eastern Alps, split into the Southern Limestone Alps, the Central Alps, and the Northern Limestone Alps. Klagenfurt is situated on limestone and dolomite rocks of the Southern Limestone Alps. The Karawanken Mountains, the Carnic Alps, the Julian Alps, and the Dolomites together comprise the Southern Limestone Alps. Between the Alps and the Pannonian Plain, Klagenfurt is also part of the Klagenfurt Basin, a sizable depression in the Alpine Foreland, a mountainous area.
Neighboring Regions
Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is surrounded on both inside and outside of Austria by various adjacent areas. To the north it runs alongside the Carinthian district of Feldkirchen. To the east it runs alongside the Carinthian district of Sankt Veit a der Glan. To the south it runs beside the municipality of Kranj, which is part of Slovenia, and the district of Völkermarkt, which is likewise part of Carinthia. It borders the Italian municipality of Tarvisio to the west as well as the Carinthian region of Villach-Land.
Access Points
Well-connected city Klagenfurt am Wörthersee boasts several points of access for travel and transit. About 4 km (2.5 miles) north of the city core, Klagenfurt Airport is an international airport. It flies to Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, London, Zurich, and Amsterdam among other domestic and European locations. About 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) south of the city center, Klagenfurt Hauptbahnhof has a railway station as well. Major hub for long-distance and regional trains, it links Klagenfurt to other Austrian, German, Italian, and Slovenian towns. Located next to the railway station, Klagenfurt Busbahnhof is a bus terminal as well. It provides bus lines to Villach, Ljubljana, Venice, Zagreb, and Belgrade among other local and foreign locations. Furthermore connecting Klagenfurt to other areas of Austria and surrounding nations is a system of roads and highways including the A2 motorway, the B83 highway, and the B 91 highway.
Terrain and Topography
From level and low-lying parts to hilly and mountainous hills, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee boasts a varied topography. The Glan River and its tributaries build a basin around the city. Mountains and various forest-covered hills with heights of up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) ring the basin. Situated in the southwest of the city, the Ulrichsberg—1,017 meters (3,337 feet—the highest point in the city). Located in the northeast of the city, the 420-meter Glan Frankfurt is the lowest point in the city—1,380 feet. From the southwest to the northeast, the city has a mild slope with an average gradient of roughly 5 meters per km (26 feet per mile).
Mountain Ranges
Close to many mountain ranges with breathtaking views and leisure possibilities, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee lies Forming the southern boundary of Carinthia and the natural border between Austria and Slovenia, the Karawanken Mountains are the most well-known mountain range close to the city. About 120 km (75 miles) long, the Karawanken Mountains average height is 1,500 metres (4,900 feet). Mostly formed of dolomite and limestone rocks, they are part of the Southern Limestone Alps. Their varied flora and wildlife, many caverns and gorges, and cultural and historical relevance are well-known. Near the city, the Gurktal Alps, in northern Carinthia, are another mountain range. About 80 km (50 miles) long, the Gurktal Alps average height is roughly 2,000 metres (6,600 feet). Mostly consisting of gneiss and granite rocks, they are a component of the Central Alps. Their alpine meadows and pastures, glacial lakes and waterfalls, ski resorts and hiking paths are well-known.
Key Mountain Peaks
Popular both for residents and visitors, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee boasts a number of important mountain peaks in its surrounds. Among the main mountain top heights are:
- Rising 2,139 meters (7,018 feet), Hochobir is the highest point of the Karawanken Mountains. About 25 kilometers (16 miles) south of Klagenfurt, it provides sweeping views of the Julian Alps, the Wörthersee, and the Klagenfurt Basin. Rare minerals and plants abound in this geological and botanical reserve as well. One can reach there via driving from the village of Eisenkappel-Vellach, hiking, or riding.
- Rising 1,059 meters (3,474 feet), Magdalensberg is a hill roughly 15 kilometers (9 miles) northeast of Klagenfurt. With remnants of a Celtic-Roman community and a church honoring Saint Mary Magdalene, it is a historical and cultural site. It provides also a panoramic perspective of the Karawanken Mountains, the Gurktal Alps, and the Klagenfurt Basin. From the town of Magdalensberg, one can access it via driving, bicycling, or hiking.
- Rising at 851 meters (2,792 feet), Pyramidenkogel is a hill roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of Klagenfurt. With a 100-meter-high (330-foot-tall observation tower—the highest wooden tower in the world)—it is a landmark and a tourist draw. It provides also a panoramic perspective of the Karawanken Mountains, the Wörthersee, and the Klagenfurt Basin. One can get it by driving from the town of Keutschach am See, biking, or hiking.
Notable Summits
Not far from Klagenfurt am Wörthersee are numerous noteworthy mountains with great natural beauty and cultural value that should be seen. Among the prominent mountains are:
- About 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Klagenfurt, Dobratsch is a mountain rising 2,166 meters (7,106 feet). Comprising the Southern Limestone Alps, the Villach Alps have their highest point here. Comprising varied flora and fauna, including the unique Dobratsch lily, this is a nature park and a biosphere reserve. With a chapel and a church above, it is also a pilgrimage site. One can get it by driving from Villach, biking, or hiking.
- Rising 1,909 meters (6,263 feet), Gerlitzen is a mountain situated roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Klagenfurt. Rising among the Gurktal Alps, the Nock Mountains have their highest point here. With many slopes, lifts, and paths, this ski resort and hiking spot is It provides also a panoramic perspective of the Julian Alps, the Ossiacher See, and the Wörthersee. One can get it via driving from Annenheim, riding, or hiking.
- Rising 2,399 meters (7,861 feet), Zirbitzkogel is a mountain roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Klagenfurt. Comprising the Gurktal Alps, the Lavanttal Alps have their highest point here. Comprising a hiking trail and a natural park with varied flora and fauna—including the uncommon Zirbitz orchid—it is It provides also a panoramic perspective of the Styrian Alps, the Mur Valley, and the Klagenfurt Basin. One can access there via driving from the town of Obdach, riding, or hiking.
Valleys and Basins
Located in a valley and a basin, which are lower than the surrounding ground, Klagenfurt am Wörthersee Usually developed by river or glacier erosion, a valley is a long and narrow dip. Usually resulting from either the buildup of silt or the subsidence of the earth’s crust, a basin is a broad and wide depression. Part of the Alpine Foreland, Klagenfurt is in the Glan Valley and the Klagenfurt Basin.
Glan Valley
Running north to south along the Glan River, the main tributary of the Drava River, the Glan Valley is About 80 kilometers (50 miles) long, the Glan Valley averages width of roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles). Fields, orchards, and wineries define the rich and agricultural Glan Valley. Along with a historical and cultural region with castles, cathedrals, and museums, the Glan Valley is The Glan Valley comprises Althofen, Straßburg, Feldkirchen, Sankt Veit a der Glan.
Klagenfurt Basin
Laying east of the Wörthersee and south of the Glan Valley, the Klagenfurt Basin is About 40 kilometers (25 miles) long, the Klagenfurt Basin averages width of roughly 15 kilometers (9 miles). Having an average elevation of roughly 450 meters (1,480 feet), the Klagenfurt Basin is a level, low-lying region. With the city of Klagenfurt and its suburbs, the urban and industrial Klagenfurt Basin is Parks, gardens, and wetlands make the Klagenfurt Basin a recreational and ecological space as well. Municipalities in the Klagenfurt Basin are Klagenfurt, Maria Saal, Ebenthal, Grafenstein, and Ferlach.
Bodies of Water
Lakes
The well-known lakes of Klagenfurt are big, deep bodies of water encircled by land. One of Europe’s biggest and hottest Alpine lakes, the Wörthersee is most notable lake close to the city. About 20 kilometers (12 miles) long, the Wörthersee averages a depth of roughly 40 meters (130 feet). Swimming, boating, fishing, and water sports abound on the Wörthersee. Along with various musical and cultural events such the Wörthersee Concert and Festival, it also hosts Near the city are other lakes including the Längsee, Rauschelesee, Hafnersee, Keutschacher See, and Ossiacher See.
Rivers and Streams
Many rivers and streams flow through Klagenfurt am Wörthersee; these are bodies of water moving from higher to lower elevations. Among the rivers and streams and tributaries are:
- Principal watercourse of Klagenfurt is Glan. It is a tributary of the Danube River, and the Drava River. The Glan River runs roughly 80 kilometers (50 miles) and has an average discharge of about 10 cubic meters per second (350 cubic feet per second). For the city, the Glan River provides water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power as well as supplies. It provides leisure pursuits as well, including angling, canoeing, and rafting.
- Artificial waterway linking the Glan River with the Wörthersee is the Sattnitz Canal. Its length is around ten kilometers (six miles) and its girth is twenty meters (66 feet). Constructing the Sattnitz Canal in the 19th century helped to control the water level of the Wörthersee and stop flooding. It serves additionally as a home for species, a navigation road, and a drainage system.
- The Gurk River runs close to Klagenfurt and is a watercourse. It is a tributary of the Danube River, and the Drava River. About 120 kilometers (75 miles) long, the Gurk River averages 40 cubic meters per second (1,400 cubic feet per second ). Characterized by several meanders, rapids, and waterfalls, the natural and picturesque Gurk River It also fits a range of religious and cultural activities, including the Gurk River Pilgrimage and the Festival.
Scenic Views
Comprising a height of 100 meters (330 ft), the Pyramidenkogel Tower is the tallest wooden construction in the world. Situated at 851 meters (2,492 ft), at the top of the Pyramidenkogel hill, From the tower, one can see the Wörthersee, the Karawanken Mountains, and the Klagenfurt Basin in all directions. Besides, the building has a slide, a souvenir store, and a café.
Dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, the Maria Saal Chapel is Romanesque-Gothic in design. It is located at the top of the Maria Saal Dome, a dome-shaped construction ruling over the Klagenfurt Basin. From the chapel, one can see the Karawanken Mountains, the Gurktal Alps, and the Klagenfurt Basin in all directions. The chapel also hosts a fountain, a museum, and a cemetery.
One of the most remarkably intact and magnificent fortresses in Austria, the medieval fortification known as Hochosterwitz Castle is Viewed from a good distance, it is on a 160-meter-high (520-foot-high boulder). The castle offers a whole perspective of the Klagenfurt Basin, the Sankt Veit Basin, and the Zollfeld Plain. The castle also boasts a church, a museum, and a restaurant.
