Villach: Difference between revisions

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updated info about sister cities
 
→Twin towns—sister cities: Klagenfurt Airport is nearest to Villach
 
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{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name           = Villach
| name               = Villach
| native_name     =  
| native_name       =  
| settlement_type = [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]]  
| settlement_type   = [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]]  
<!-- Images    -->
<!-- Images    -->| image_skyline     = Villach panorama.jpg
| image_skyline   = Villach panorama.jpg
| imagesize         = 300px
| imagesize       = 300px
| image_caption     = Drava riverside
| image_caption   = Drava riverside
| image_flag         = Flag of Villach.gif
| image_flag     = Flag of Villach.gif
| image_shield       = Villach CoA.svg
| image_shield   = Villach CoA.svg
| shield_size       = 80x110px
| shield_size     = 80x110px
| shield_link       = <!-- Maps          -->
| shield_link     =  
| pushpin_map       = Austria Carinthia#Austria
<!-- Maps          -->
| pushpin_mapsize   = 270
| pushpin_map         = Austria Carinthia#Austria
| pushpin_mapsize     = 270
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Austria
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Austria
| pushpin_relief =
| pushpin_relief     =  
| image_map           = Oesterreich kaernten-VI.png
| image_map         = Oesterreich kaernten-VI.png
| mapsize             = 260x260px
| mapsize           = 260x260px
| map_alt             =
| map_alt           =  
| map_caption         = Location of Villach within Carinthia
| map_caption       = Location of Villach within Carinthia
<!-- Location    -->
<!-- Location    -->| coordinates       = {{coord|46|37|N|13|51|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates       = {{coord|46|37|N|13|51|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{AUT}}
| subdivision_name = {{AUT}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States of Austria|State]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States of Austria|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Carinthia}}
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Carinthia}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[District (Austria)|District]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[District (Austria)|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Statutory city (Austria)|Statutory city]]
| parts_type         =  
| parts_type       =  
| parts_style       = para
| parts_style       = para
| p1                 = <!-- Leaders -->
| p1               =  
| leader_title       = [[Burgomaster|Mayor]]
<!-- Leaders -->
| leader_name       = Günther Albel (SPÖ)
| leader_title = [[Burgomaster|Mayor]]
| leader_party       =  
| leader_name   = Günther Albel (SPÖ)
| leader_title1     =  
| leader_party =  
| leader_name1       = <!-- Statistics -->
| leader_title1 =  
| area_footnotes     = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_footnotes}}
| leader_name1 =  
| area_total_km2     = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_total_km2}}
<!-- Statistics -->
| area_metro_km2     =  
| area_footnotes   = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_footnotes}}
| elevation_m       = 501
| area_total_km2   = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_total_km2}}
| elevation_max_m   =  
| area_metro_km2   =  
| elevation_min_m   =  
| elevation_m     = 501
| population_as_of   = 2025
| elevation_max_m =  
| population_footnotes =  
| elevation_min_m =  
| population_total   = 65749
| population_as_of = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_urban   =  
| population_footnotes = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
| population_metro   =  
| population_total = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_total}}
| population_note   =  
| population_urban =
| population_metro =
| population_note =  
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| established_title =  
| established_title =  
| established_date =  
| established_date   =  
| timezone         = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| timezone_DST     = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset       = +1
| utc_offset         = +1
| utc_offset_DST   = +2
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of Austria|VI]]
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of Austria|VI]]
| postal_code_type  = [[List of postal codes in Austria|Postal code]]
| postal_code_type  = [[List of postal codes in Austria|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 9500
| postal_code        = 9500
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in Austria|Area code]]
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Austria|Area code]]
| area_code     = 04242
| area_code         = 04242
| website   = [http://www.villach.at/ villach.at]
| website           = [http://www.villach.at/ villach.at]
| footnotes =  
| footnotes         =  
}}
}}


'''Villach''' ({{IPA|de|ˈfɪlax|-|De-Villach.ogg}}; {{langx|sl|Beljak}}; {{langx|it|Villaco}}; {{langx|fur|Vilac}}) is the seventh-largest city in [[Austria]] and the second-largest in the federal state of [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]]. It is an important [[Junction (traffic)|traffic junction]] for southern Austria and the whole [[Alpe-Adria]] region. {{As of|2018|01}}, the population is 61,887.<ref name = "stat">{{cite web
'''Villach''' ({{IPA|de|ˈfɪlax|-|De-Villach.ogg}}; {{langx|sl|Beljak}}; {{langx|it|Villaco}}; {{langx|fur|Vilac}}) is the seventh-largest city in [[Austria]] and the second-largest in the state of [[Carinthia (state)|Carinthia]]. It is an important [[Junction (traffic)|traffic junction]] for southern Austria and the whole [[Alpe-Adria]] region. As of 2025, Villach had a population of 65,749.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bevölkerung zu Jahres-/Quartalsanfang |url=https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=STATISTIK AUSTRIA |language=de-AT}}</ref>
| url = http://www.statistik.at/blickgem/pr1/g20201.pdf
| title = Einwohnerzahl und Komponenten der Bevölkerungsentwicklung (''Population and Components of Population Growth'')
| publisher = Statistik Österreich (English Version)
| date = 2007-11-29
| access-date = 2007-12-27
| language = de
}}</ref>


Together with other Alpine towns Villach engages in the [[Alpine Town of the Year]] Association for the implementation of the Alpine Convention to achieve sustainable development in the Alpine Arc.  
Together with other Alpine towns Villach engages in the [[Alpine Town of the Year]] Association for the implementation of the Alpine Convention to achieve sustainable development in the Alpine Arc.  
Line 262: Line 250:
On 15 February 2025, a 14-year-old boy was killed while five people were injured in a [[2025 Villach stabbing attack|knife attack]]. A 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker was arrested by two female police officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teen dead and five injured in Austria knife attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5v48w54qo |website=BBC |access-date=15 February 2025 |language=en |date=14 February 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5v48w54qo</ref>
On 15 February 2025, a 14-year-old boy was killed while five people were injured in a [[2025 Villach stabbing attack|knife attack]]. A 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker was arrested by two female police officers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teen dead and five injured in Austria knife attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5v48w54qo |website=BBC |access-date=15 February 2025 |language=en |date=14 February 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5v48w54qo</ref>


==Population==
==Demographics==
As of 2024, Villach had a population of 65,600; 76.0% of whom held Austrian citizenship and 74.9% of whom were born in Austria.
 
The age group under 20 years old accounted for 17.4% of the population, those aged between 20 and 64 made up 60.5%, and individuals aged 65 and over comprised the remaining 22.0%. Women accounted for 51.6% of the population.
 
50.4% of foreign citizens held citizenship from another [[European Union|EU]] member state. When looking at individual countries, [[Germany]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] account for the largest shares of foreign nationals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bevölkerung zu Jahres-/Quartalsanfang |url=https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=STATISTIK AUSTRIA |language=de-AT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ein Blick auf die Gemeinde |url=https://www.statistik.at/atlas/blick/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=www.statistik.at}}</ref>
{{Historical populations
{{Historical populations
|align=right
|align=right
|1910|27451
|1910|27,451
|1923|30883
|1923|30,883
|1934|34085
|1934|34,085
|1939|36012
|1939|36,012
|1951|43358
|1951|43,358
|1961|47170
|1961|47,170
|1971|51112
|1971|51,112
|1981|52692
|1981|52,692
|1991|54640
|1991|54,640|2001|57,497
|2001|57497
|2011|59,285
|2011|59285
|2021|63,236
|2016|61221
|2025|65,749}}
}}


==Politics==
==Politics==
Line 283: Line 275:


===Municipal council===
===Municipal council===
The municipal council (''Gemeinderat'') consists of 45 members, with the mayor as president, and following the 2015 elections:<ref>[http://www.villach.at/stadt-regierung/wahl-service/wahlstatistiken Wahlstatistiken – Stadt Villach]</ref>
The municipal council (''Gemeinderat'') consists of 45 members, with the mayor acting as president. Since the 2021 local elections, it is made up of the following parties:


* [[Social Democratic Party of Austria]] (SPÖ): 23 seats
* [[Social Democratic Party of Austria]] (SPÖ): 25 seats
* [[Austrian People's Party]] (ÖVP): 10 seats
* [[Freedom Party of Austria]] (FPÖ): 7 seats
* [[Freedom Party of Austria]] (FPÖ): 7 seats
* [[Austrian Green Party]]: 3 seats
* [[Austrian People's Party]] (ÖVP): 6 seats
* Verantwortung Erde: 1 seat
* Verantwortung Erde (ERDE): 5 seats
* NEOS: 1 seat
* [[The Greens (Austria)|The Greens - The Green Alternative]] (GRÜNE): 2 seats
The mayor of the city, Günther Albel, was re-elected in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ergebnisse und Visualisierungen zur Gemeinderatswahl in Kärnten 2021. |url=https://orf.at/wahl/kaernten21/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=orf.at |language=de}}</ref>


===City government===
===City government===
The city government of Villach (Stadtsenat) consists of seven members. It is chaired by the mayor, who is directly elected by the people. The other members—two vice-mayors and four town councillors—are appointed by the municipal council, with party affiliations according to the election results.
The city government of Villach (''Stadtsenat'') consists of seven members. It is chaired by the mayor. The other members—two vice-mayors and four town councillors—are appointed by the municipal council, with party affiliations according to the election results.<ref>{{Cite web |last=red |first=kaernten ORF at |date=2021-03-29 |title=Villacher Stadtregierung steht |url=https://kaernten.orf.at/stories/3096926/ |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=kaernten.ORF.at |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-02 |title=Stadtratwechsel in Villach: Sascha Jabali folgt auf Gerald Dobernig |url=https://www.meinbezirk.at/villach/c-politik/sascha-jabali-folgt-auf-gerald-dobernig_a5963704 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=MeinBezirk.at |language=de}}</ref>
 
*Mayor Günther Albel (SPÖ)
*First Deputy Mayor Sarah Katholnig (SPÖ)
*Second Deputy Mayor Gerda Sandriesser (SPÖ)
*Councillor Harald Sobe (SPÖ)
*Councillor Erwin Baumann (FPÖ)
*Councillor Christian Pober (ÖVP)
*Councillor Sascha Jabali Adeh (ERDE)
 
=== Carinthian state election ===
The results of the [[2023 Carinthian state election]] for Villach are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landtagswahl Kärnten 2023 - news.ORF.at |url=https://orf.at/wahl/kaernten23/ |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=orf.at |language=de}}</ref>
 
* Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ): 43.36%
* Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ): 25.25%
* Austrian People's Party (ÖVP): 11.10%
* Team Carinthia (TK): 8.61%
* The Greens - The Green Alternative (GRÜNE): 5.03%
* NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS): 2.90%
* Others: 3.64%
 
=== Austrian legislative election ===
The results of the [[2024 Austrian legislative election]] for Villach are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nationalratswahl 2024 - news.ORF.at |url=https://orf.at/wahl/nr24/ |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=orf.at |language=de}}</ref>


*Mayor Günther Albel, SPÖ
* Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ): 36.67%
*First Deputy Mayor Petra Oberrauner, SPÖ
* Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ): 25.79%
*Second Deputy Mayor Gerda Sandriesser, SPÖ
* Austrian People's Party (ÖVP): 17.42%
*Councillor Peter F. Weidinger, ÖVP
* NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS): 8.71%
*Councillor Erwin Baumann, FPÖ
* The Greens - The Green Alternative (GRÜNE): 5.87%
*Councillor Harald Sobe, SPÖ
* Others: 5.54%
*Councillor Katharina Spanring, ÖVP


In the March 2015 elections, Günther Albel was elected with 55.46 per cent of the votes cast.<ref name="Wahlergebnisse 2009">[http://www.villach.at/stadt-regierung/wahl-service/wahlstatistiken Wahlergebnisse 2015]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234022/http://www.villach.at/stadt-regierung/wahl-service/wahlstatistiken |date=2017-02-02 }}</ref>
=== European parliament election ===
The results of the [[2024 European Parliament election|2024 European parliament election]] for Villach are as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Europawahl 2024 - news.ORF.at |url=https://orf.at/wahl/eu24/ |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=orf.at |language=de}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable floatright"
* Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ): 32.12%
|+ Largest groups of foreign residents<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistisches Jahrbuch 2014|url=http://www.villach.at/stadt-erleben/ueber-villach/statistisches-jahrbuch|website=www.villach.at|publisher=Stadt Villach - Melde- und Standesamt, Statistik|access-date=2015-09-03}}</ref>
* Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ): 29.78%
|-\
* Austrian People's Party (ÖVP): 14.20%
!Nationality || Population (2013)
* NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS): 10.56%
|-
* The Greens - The Green Alternative (GRÜNE): 7.85%
|{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} || 1,549
* Others: 5.49%
|-
|{{flag|Germany}} || 1,421
|-
|{{flag|Croatia}} || 1,238
|-
|{{flag|Italy}} || 482
|-
|{{flag|Slovenia}} || 459
|-
|{{flag|Russia}} || 364
|}


==Twin towns—sister cities==
==Twin towns—sister cities==
Line 332: Line 335:


* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Bamberg]], Germany (since 1973)
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Bamberg]], Germany (since 1973)
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Udine]], Italy
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Udine]], Italy (since 1979)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Suresnes]], France (since 1992)
* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Suresnes]], France (since 1992)
* {{flagicon|SLO}} [[Kranj]], Slovenia (since 2008)
* {{flagicon|SLO}} [[Kranj]], Slovenia (since 2008)
* {{flagicon|SLO}} [[Tolmin]], Slovenia (since 2010)
* {{flagicon|SLO}} [[Tolmin]], Slovenia (since 2010)


==Transport==
The nearest airport is [[Klagenfurt Airport]], located {{convert|40|km|0|abbr=on}} which is half an hour drive east of the city.


==Festivals==
==Festivals==
===K3 Film Festival===
<!---redirects target this section--->
The K3 Film Festival has taken place annually since 2007.<ref>{{cite web | title=K3 Film Festival 2007-2018 | website=K3 Film Festival Villach | url=https://k3filmfestival.com/2007-2018/en/ | access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref> It is held in December over five days, and focuses on the filmmaking of Carinthia (Southern Austria), [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]] (Northern Italy), and [[Slovenia]]. The name is derived from "K" standing for ''Kino'' (meaning "cinema" in German and Slovenian) and "3" referring to the fewest number number of legs necessary to create a solid table.<ref>{{cite web | title=Concept and Theme K3 Film Festival  | website=K3 Film Festival  | url=https://k3filmfestival.com/en/concept-and-theme-2024/ | access-date=21 June 2025}}</ref>


There are several [[festival]]s throughout the year:
===Other festivals===
There are several other [[festival]]s throughout the year, including:


*The carnival in Villach (which starts on November 11 and ends on March 4)
*The carnival in Villach (which starts on November 11 and ends on March 4)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-09 |title=Home |url=https://villacher-fasching.at/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Villacher Fasching |language=de}}</ref>
*The arts and crafts festival (with self made goods)
*Villacher Fasching or [[Mardi Gras]]<ref name=":0" />
*''Villacher Fasching'' or ''[[Mardi Gras]]''
*''Kunsthandwerkmarkt'' - arts and crafts festival<ref>{{Cite web |title=Villacher Altstadt wird zur Bühne des Kunsthandwerks |url=https://www.wko.at/ktn/news/villacher-altstadt-wird-zur-buehne-des-kunsthandwerks |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=wko.at |language=de-AT}}</ref>
*The streets-art festival (displays performances of artists and singers)
*The streets-art festival (displays performances of artists and singers)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ottacher |first=Nicole |date=2024-01-31 |title=Straßenkunstfestival 2025 in Villach |url=https://www.goldeneslamm.at/strassenkunstfestival/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=Goldenes Lamm |language=de-DE}}</ref>
*The ''Villacher Kirchtag'' (a festival spanning a whole week in summer and ends on August's first Saturday.)
*The Villacher Kirchtag (a festival spanning a whole week in summer and ends on August's first Saturday)<ref>{{Cite web |title=80. Villacher Kirchtag |url=https://www.villacherkirchtag.at/ |access-date=2025-07-26 |language=de-DE}}</ref>
*Performances on a floating stage on the Drau River <!-- please provide further details, if you can - thank you. -->
*''DRAUPULS'' - light shows on the Drau river<ref>{{Cite web |title="DRAUpuls" - Wasserspiele in Villach |url=https://www.visitvillach.at/de/draupuls-wasserspiele-in-villach.html |access-date=2025-07-26 |website=www.visitvillach.at |language=de}}</ref>


==Notable citizens==
==Notable citizens==

Latest revision as of 09:24, 6 October 2025

Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Main other

Villach (Script error: No such module "IPA".; Template:Langx; Template:Langx; Template:Langx) is the seventh-largest city in Austria and the second-largest in the state of Carinthia. It is an important traffic junction for southern Austria and the whole Alpe-Adria region. As of 2025, Villach had a population of 65,749.[1]

Together with other Alpine towns Villach engages in the Alpine Town of the Year Association for the implementation of the Alpine Convention to achieve sustainable development in the Alpine Arc. In 1997, Villach was the first town to be awarded Alpine Town of the Year.

Geography

File:Villach Innenstadt Hauptplatz mit Pranger NO-Ansicht 30012011 666.jpg
Main square

Villach is a statutory city, on the Drau River near its confluence with the Gail tributary, at the western rim of the Klagenfurt basin. The municipal area stretches from the slopes of the Gailtal Alps (Mt. Dobratsch) down to Lake Ossiach in the northeast.

The Villach city limits comprise the following districts and villages:

  • Bogenfeld (Template:Langx)
  • Dobrova (Dobrova)
  • Drautschen (Dravče)
  • Drobollach am Faaker See (Drobolje ob Baškem jezeru)
  • Duel (Dole)
  • Egg am Faaker See (Brdo ob Baškem jezeru)
  • Goritschach (Goriče)
  • Graschitz (Krošče)
  • Gratschach (Grače pri Šentrupertu)
  • Greuth (Rute pri Beljaku)
  • Gritschach (Griče)
  • Großsattel (Sedlo)
  • Großvassach (Velike Laze pri Beljaku)
  • Heiligen Gestade
  • Heiligengeist (Sveti Duh)
  • Kleinsattel (Malo Sedlo)
  • Kleinvassach (Male Laze pri Beljaku)
  • Kratschach (Hrašče pri Mariji na Zilji)
  • Kumitz
  • Landskron (Vajškra)
  • Maria Gail (Marija na Zilji)
  • Mittewald ober dem Faaker See (Na Dobrovi)
  • Mittewald ob Villach
  • Neufellach (Nova Bela)
  • Neulandskron (Nova Vajškra)
  • Obere Fellach (Gornja Bela)
  • Oberfederaun (Gornji Vetrov)
  • Oberschütt (Rogaje pod Dobračem)
  • Oberwollanig
  • Pogöriach (Pogorje)
  • Prossowitsch (Prosoviče)
  • Rennstein
  • Serai (Seraje)
  • St. Andrä
  • St. Georgen
  • St. Leonhard
  • St. Magdalen
  • St. Michael
  • St. Niklas an der Drau (Miklavž na Dravi)
  • St. Ruprecht
  • St. Ulrich
  • Tschinowitsch (Činoviče)
  • Turdanitsch (Trdaniče pri Mariji na Zilji)
  • Untere Fellach (Spodnja Bela)
  • Unterfederaun (Pod Vetrovom)
  • Unterschütt (Zabuče pri Brnci)
  • Unterwollanig
  • Urlaken
  • Villach-Auen (Log pri Beljaku)
  • Villach-Innere Stadt (Beljak - Mesto)
  • Villach-Lind (Beljak - Lipa)
  • Villach-Seebach-Wasenboden
  • Villach-St. Agathen und Perau
  • Villach-St. Martin
  • Villach-Völkendorf
  • Villach-Warmbad-Judendorf (Beljaške Toplice)
  • Weißenbach
  • Zauchen (Suha pri Vernberku)

In 1905 a part of the municipal area St. Martin was incorporated. In 1973 the city area was further enlarged through the incorporation of Landskron, Maria Gail and Fellach.

Climate

Villach has a cool summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb). Template:Weather box

History

File:Warmbad Villach - Roemerstrasse.JPG
Roman road in Warmbad

The oldest human traces found in Villach date back to the late Neolithic. Many Roman artifacts have been discovered in the city and its vicinity, as it was near an important Roman road (today called Römerweg) leading from Italy into the Noricum province established in 15 BC. At the time, a mansio named Sanctium was probably located at the hot spring in the present-day Warmbad quarter south of the city centre. After the Migration Period and the Slavic settlement of the Eastern Alps about 600 AD, the area became part of the Carantania principality.

When about 740 Prince Boruth enlisted the aid of Duke Odilo of Bavaria against the invading Avars, he had to accept Bavarian overlordship. An 878 deed of donation, issued by the Carolingian ruler Carloman of Bavaria, mentioned a bridge (ad pontem Uillach) near the royal court of Treffen, in what is today Villach.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In 979 Emperor Otto II enfeoffed Bishop Albuin of Brixen with the Villach manor. After his death, King Henry II in 1007 ceded the settlement to the newly established Bishopric of Bamberg. The bishops also held the adjacent estates along the strategically important route to Italy up to Pontafel, which they retained until 1759 while the surrounding Carinthian ducal lands passed to the Austrian House of Habsburg in 1335.

File:Villach - Draubrücke mit Blick zur Altstadt- 2005.jpg
Drava bridge near the city centre

Villach received market rights in 1060, though it was not mentioned as a town in records until about 1240. The parish church dedicated to St. James was first documented in 1136. Emperor Frederick II conferred the citizens the right to hold an annual fair on the feast of 25 July (Jakobitag) in 1222. The 1348 Friuli earthquake devastated large parts of the town; another devastating earthquake occurred in 1690. There were also several fires in Villach, which destroyed many buildings. The first documented mayor took office in the 16th century.

From 1526 onwards, many citizens turned Protestant and the Villach parish became a centre of the new faith within the Carinthian estates, which entailed harsh Counter-Reformation measures by the ecclesiastical rulers. From about 1600, numerous residents were forced to leave the town, precipitating an economic decline. In 1759 the Habsburg empress Maria Theresa formally purchased the Bamberg territories in Carinthia for a price of one million florins. Villach was incorporated into the "hereditary lands" of the Habsburg monarchy and became the administrative seat of a Carinthian district.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the city was occupied by French troops and became part of the short-lived Illyrian Provinces from 1809, until it was re-conquered by the forces of the Austrian Empire in 1813 and incorporated into the Austrian Kingdom of Illyria by 1816. The city's economy was decisively promoted by a western branch of the Southern Railway line, which finally reached Villach in 1864, providing growth and expansion. By 1880, the town had a population of 6,104. In World War I, Villach near the Italian front was the seat of the 10th Army command of the Austro-Hungarian Army.

The town obtained statutory city status during the interwar period on 1 January 1932. After the Austrian Anschluss to Nazi Germany in 1938, the mayor of Villach was Oskar Kraus, an enthusiastic Nazi.[2] On 9 November 1938 Villach was a site of the nationwide Kristallnacht pogroms with violent attacks on the Jewish population. A memorial for the 1919 border conflict that led to the Carinthian Plebiscite caused controversy when it was inaugurated in 2002, as Kraus, who had not been especially prominent in the conflict, was the only person named.[3]

During World War II, allied forces bombed Villach 37 times. About 42,500 bombs killed 300 people and damaged 85% of the buildings. Nevertheless, the city quickly recovered.[4] Today, Villach is a bustling city with commerce and recreation, yet it retains its historic background.

On 15 February 2025, a 14-year-old boy was killed while five people were injured in a knife attack. A 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker was arrested by two female police officers.[5][6]

Demographics

As of 2024, Villach had a population of 65,600; 76.0% of whom held Austrian citizenship and 74.9% of whom were born in Austria.

The age group under 20 years old accounted for 17.4% of the population, those aged between 20 and 64 made up 60.5%, and individuals aged 65 and over comprised the remaining 22.0%. Women accounted for 51.6% of the population.

50.4% of foreign citizens held citizenship from another EU member state. When looking at individual countries, Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina account for the largest shares of foreign nationals.[7][8] Template:Historical populations

Politics

File:Villach - Blick von der Stadtparrkirche auf den Rathausplatz.JPG
Town hall

Municipal council

The municipal council (Gemeinderat) consists of 45 members, with the mayor acting as president. Since the 2021 local elections, it is made up of the following parties:

The mayor of the city, Günther Albel, was re-elected in 2021.[9]

City government

The city government of Villach (Stadtsenat) consists of seven members. It is chaired by the mayor. The other members—two vice-mayors and four town councillors—are appointed by the municipal council, with party affiliations according to the election results.[10][11]

  • Mayor Günther Albel (SPÖ)
  • First Deputy Mayor Sarah Katholnig (SPÖ)
  • Second Deputy Mayor Gerda Sandriesser (SPÖ)
  • Councillor Harald Sobe (SPÖ)
  • Councillor Erwin Baumann (FPÖ)
  • Councillor Christian Pober (ÖVP)
  • Councillor Sascha Jabali Adeh (ERDE)

Carinthian state election

The results of the 2023 Carinthian state election for Villach are as follows:[12]

  • Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ): 43.36%
  • Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ): 25.25%
  • Austrian People's Party (ÖVP): 11.10%
  • Team Carinthia (TK): 8.61%
  • The Greens - The Green Alternative (GRÜNE): 5.03%
  • NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS): 2.90%
  • Others: 3.64%

Austrian legislative election

The results of the 2024 Austrian legislative election for Villach are as follows:[13]

  • Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ): 36.67%
  • Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ): 25.79%
  • Austrian People's Party (ÖVP): 17.42%
  • NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS): 8.71%
  • The Greens - The Green Alternative (GRÜNE): 5.87%
  • Others: 5.54%

European parliament election

The results of the 2024 European parliament election for Villach are as follows:[14]

  • Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ): 32.12%
  • Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ): 29.78%
  • Austrian People's Party (ÖVP): 14.20%
  • NEOS - The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS): 10.56%
  • The Greens - The Green Alternative (GRÜNE): 7.85%
  • Others: 5.49%

Twin towns—sister cities

Villach is twinned with: [15]

Transport

The nearest airport is Klagenfurt Airport, located Template:Convert which is half an hour drive east of the city.

Festivals

K3 Film Festival

The K3 Film Festival has taken place annually since 2007.[16] It is held in December over five days, and focuses on the filmmaking of Carinthia (Southern Austria), Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Northern Italy), and Slovenia. The name is derived from "K" standing for Kino (meaning "cinema" in German and Slovenian) and "3" referring to the fewest number number of legs necessary to create a solid table.[17]

Other festivals

There are several other festivals throughout the year, including:

  • The carnival in Villach (which starts on November 11 and ends on March 4)[18]
  • Villacher Fasching or Mardi Gras[18]
  • Kunsthandwerkmarkt - arts and crafts festival[19]
  • The streets-art festival (displays performances of artists and singers)[20]
  • The Villacher Kirchtag (a festival spanning a whole week in summer and ends on August's first Saturday)[21]
  • DRAUPULS - light shows on the Drau river[22]

Notable citizens

File:Potiorek oskar fzm 1853 1933 photo2.jpg
Oskar Potiorek, 1908
File:Eva Glawischnig.jpeg
Eva Glawischnig, 2006
File:Marc Sand - Österreich U-21 (1).jpg
Marc Sand, 2009
File:Guido Burgstaller - AUT-ROM-freundschaftsspiel - 2012-06-05.jpg
Guido Burgstaller, 2012

Sport

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Sister project Template:Wikivoyage

Template:Principal cities of Austria Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Lisa Rettl, Werner Koroschitz, "Ein korrekter Nazi: Oskar Kraus, ns-oberbürgermeister von Villach", Drava (2006), Template:ISBN
  3. ↑ ORF Kärnten, "Oskar Kraus - ein korrekter Nazi"Template:Dead link Template:In lang
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5v48w54qo
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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