Feldkirch: Medieval Heritage and Nature Experiences
Accommodation in Feldkirch
Feldkirch reveals its history in its medieval centre and buildings from different eras. There are also self-guided and public city walks, scenic routes, and nature and market experiences. This makes it easy to tailor your trip to your interests, from local history and art to landscapes, wildlife and regional food.
Old Town and City History
The medieval centre invites you to explore its cobbled lanes, narrow streets and romantic arcades. The audio guide accompanies a self-guided walk through the Old Town and explains its monuments, magnificent façades and historic buildings. A public guided tour takes place on Wednesdays, leads through the historic centre and lasts 1.5 hours. If you plan to join a tour, check the latest dates in advance.
Feldkirch’s history of civic rights is also part of the city’s story: on 17 December 1376, Count Rudolf V of Montfort issued the Charter of Liberties. In nine articles, he granted citizens extensive rights, a say in civic affairs and existing privileges. The document adds a political dimension to the city’s history.
Buildings, Castles and Art
The Powder Tower was part of the southern city wall near the MĂĽhletor gate and was built in 1460. Today, the City of Feldkirch uses the tower in the historic centre as an art space. The High Medieval Schattenburg is considered one of the best-preserved castle complexes in Central Europe; from its keep, you can enjoy views of Feldkirch and the surrounding mountains.
St Nicholas Cathedral is a Late Gothic church whose new building was completed in 1478. Works of art in the cathedral include a wrought-iron pulpit dating from 1520 and the St Anne’s Altar by Wolf Huber. Since 1995, the Johanniterkirche has served as an exhibition space for contemporary art and installations from Austria and abroad. Visitors can explore the cloister at the Capuchin monastery.
Tostner Castle is also associated with the Counts of Montfort: they had the complex built around 1260 and founded the city of Feldkirch. A path leads down from the castle to the little church of St Corneli, the old parish church of Tosters. The castle and the path to the church offer another historic highlight alongside the buildings in the city centre.
Walks and Landscapes
The Ardetzenberg offers a woodland nature trail with a long and a short loop. A walking path to Stadtschrofen leads to a viewpoint overlooking Feldkirch. Another official route takes you to the Hohes and Niederes Känzele viewpoints and returns through the Felsenauschlucht gorge.
The circular trail through Feldkirch Wildlife Park on the Ardetzenberg offers views of houses built on the rocks of the Ill Gorge in Feldkirch’s historic “Im Kehr” district. 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.
A seasonal natural highlight can be found in Bangs-Matschels: in early summer, millions of Siberian irises transform many of the wet meadows into a sea of blue flowers. The exact flowering period depends on conditions. If you prefer to explore Feldkirch by bike, you can follow the EuroVelo 15 route: it passes the Old Town and follows the Ill through riparian forests to Illspitz.
Markets, Wine and Cultural Events
The weekly market is held year-round on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering regional and seasonal produce. The “Market Food Tours” add stories from the market’s history, encounters with market traders and tastings of seasonal specialities to your visit.
Small vineyards lie below Schattenburg and on the Ardetzenberg and Amberg. Feldkirch wines include Ardetzenberger Rivaner, also known as MĂĽller-Thurgau; availability may vary by producer. The traditional wine festival lasts three days and celebrates the enjoyment of wine. Its dates change from year to year.
For an evening at the movies, GUK cinema is rooted in the art-house tradition and offers a diverse international programme. Through its cooperation with the Tas-Kino of the Saumarkt cultural association, many films are shown there in their original language. Another indoor activity is the go-kart track in Feldkirch, with a 360-metre high-speed track across 4,000 square metres. Public skating is available at the Vorarlberghalle from October; skates can be rented on site. Check the seasonally updated skating dates before your visit.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Koblach, Dünserberg, Feldkirch, Rankweil, Röthis, Götzis, Furx, Schnifis, Frastanz, Viktorsberg, Laterns, Batschuns, Weiler, Dafins, Röns, Meiningen, Schlins, Göfis, Klaus, Übersaxen, Fraxern, Satteins, Altach, Zwischenwasser.
See the overview of the wider region: Vorarlberg.
