Vaduz

Vaduz

The capital of Liechtenstein, Vaduz is also the seat of the national parliament. Situated on the banks of the Rhine River, the city's most notable landmark is Vaduz Castle, which towers over the city on a steep hill. This is home to the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein Princely Family. The city's characteristic buildings include the Cathedral of Saint Florian, the Government House, the City Hall, the National Art Gallery and the National Museum. While internationally the best-known town in the principality, Vaduz is not the largest, its neighbor Schaan has a higher population. In 12th-century historical manuscripts, Vaduz is mentioned as Faduzes. Then in 1322 the castle is mentioned, which was sacked by the Swiss in 1499 during the Swabian War, and the whole town was destroyed. On 23 January 1719, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, ordered the unification of Vaduz and Schellenberg and raised them to the dignity of Fürstentum with the name "Liechtenstein" in honor of his "loyal servant, Prince Anton Florian of Liechtenstein". On that day Liechtenstein was made a sovereign member of the Holy Roman Empire.