KLAGENFURT - Austria Travel Guide | Around The World

Описание: Klagenfurt (Slovenian: Celovec) is the capital of Carinthia in Austria. It was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships.

Klagenfurt has about 90.000 inhabitants and is located close to Wörthersee. It is the native town of well-known writer Robert Musil (especially known for his book The Man Without Qualities) and is host for the The Ingeborg Bachmann Competition, a famous German literature competition. Gustav Mahler, musician and composer also worked and lived in Klagenfurt. Every year the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam Tournament takes place at Wörthersee lake at the beginning of August.

Most sights of interest can be easily reached by foot. Klagenfurt offers an extensive bus network. Tickets can be bought directly at the bus and cost around € 4,00 (24h ticket) or €0,90 for a single ride. The main bus hub is located at Heiligengeistplatz in the centre of the city.

Hiring a bicycle is recommended if you wish to travel to Klagenfurt's beach, on the shore of the Wörthersee in the Western outskirts of the city. There is a cycle path along the Lendkanal, taking you from Heiligengeistplatz (take the underpass) to the beach and continuing along the northern shore of the Wörthersee all the way to Velden. Bikes can be hired at Neuer Platz.

Lindwurm - Neuer Platz, in the centre of the city. The lindworm is the town's landmark. According to a legend, an evil dragon infested the region where Klagenfurt is located today. The duke of Karnburg promised land to those who would catch and kill the dragon. Eventually a group of menials achieved to kill the dragon by a trick. They got the promised land and set up a village at the place where the dragon was killed. The monument was built in the 16th century. The head of the lindworm was shaped after the head of an glacial rhinoceros found in the same century in this region.
Minimundus Villacher Straße 241, Tel. 21194, open from April to October. This park offers a huge collection of miniature models of famous buildings from many countries in the world. Entrance is around €11, there are special fares for groups and children.
Reptilienzoo Happ Villacher Straße 237, Tel. 23425, open daily from 8.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m. - A small zoo offering a large and varied stock of reptiles and animals. Entrance is around €8, there are special fares for children and groups.
Europapark - This park, located next to the Minimundus and to the Strandbad (beach) of the Wörthersee invites to stroll, relax, play chess and enjoy the beautiful plants. Watch male peacocks fan their feathers.
Robert Musil Literatur Museum, Bahnhofstraße 50 Tel. 501429 open Mo-Fr 10.00am to 5.00pm, entrance is free. The museum is actually the house of birth of the writer Robert Musil. If you are interested in literature, this is the place to go.
Gustav Mahler Komponierhäuschen, close to Strandbad Maiernegg Tel.537 5632) as stated above Gustav Mahler, famous musician, worked and lived close to Klagenfurt. Back in 1899 he bought a small mansion which is now a museum offering postcards, letters written by Gustav Mahler. The museum has guides in english,french and german. Opening times are 10am to 4pm from May to October. Entry is €1, it's free for children. Take bus no.10 or 11 to Strandbad. From there it's only a 15min walk.
Ikea. Large Ikea store, well known throughout region, people from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia make trips to it.

Klagenfurt's theater (Stadttheater) is well known (even beyond the borders of Carinthia) for the high quality of its theater and opera performances.
If you are interested in the historic city centre, you might want to take an organized tour : a historic city walk. Those tours are available daily (at 10 am) during summer time. Just head for Neuer Platz (in front of the city hall) or call 537 2293 for more details. The tour is free.
Beachvolleyball Grand Slam Every year the world's top beach volleyball players meet in Klagenfurt. Tickets sell out quickly and should be purchased well in advance. There is also a certain number of free seats, but queueing is necessary.
Ironman Austria takes place every year with a large number of participants (2007: 2200 athletes).
Swimming: Klagenfurt's beautiful beach (Strandbad Klagenfurt), is located on the Woethersee and has space for around 12000 guests. In additon to a sandy beach, a large grassy area and piers for sunbathing, there is also a small football (soccer) pitch, a beach volleyball court, a water slide (free of charge) and two restaurants. Entrance fee is approx €2-3