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Bludenz

Bludenz
View from southwest
View from southwest
Coat of arms of Bludenz
Coat of arms
Bludenz is located in Austria
Bludenz
Bludenz
Location within Austria
Coordinates: 47°08′00″N 09°49′00″E / 47.13333°N 9.81667°E / 47.13333; 9.81667Coordinates: 47°08′00″N 09°49′00″E / 47.13333°N 9.81667°E / 47.13333; 9.81667
Country Austria
State Vorarlberg
District Bludenz
Government
 • Mayor Josef Katzenmayer (ÖVP)
Area
 • Total 30.0 km2 (11.6 sq mi)
Elevation 588 m (1,929 ft)
Population (1 January 2016)
 • Total 14,118
 • Density 470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 6700
Area code 05552
Vehicle registration BZ
Website Official website

Bludenz im Bezirk BZ.png

Bludenz is a town in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. It is the administrative seat of Bludenz District, which encompasses about half of the state's territory.

The town is located on the Ill River, a direct tributary of the Rhine. It is surrounded by the ranges of the Bregenz Forest Mountains in the north, and by the Rätikon and Silvretta ranges in the south. Bludenz lies at the meeting point of five valleys: Walgau and Montafon (Ill), Brandnertal, Klostertal up to Arlberg Pass, and Großes Walsertal.

Bludenz is a popular hiking and mountain-biking resort in the summer months, located on the way to many nearby skiing resorts (e.g., Brand and Lech). Due to the A14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn with its southeastern terminus in Bludenz, the name of the town is well known in Austria.

Major companies are Mondelēz International (Milka chocolate) and Fohrenburger (beer, 5.2% alcohol).

Archaeological finds indicate settlement in the area of Bludenz began in the Bronze Age, lasting up to the La Tène era. The name Bludenz originates from the Celts. In 600 BC there was a military training ground of the Romans.

Bludenz itself was first mentioned in an 830 urbarium of the Raetian estates within the Carolingian Empire. The town was established by the comital Werdenberg dynasty, town privileges were granted in 1274. A stay of the Habsburg duke Frederick IV of Austria, who had just received an Imperial ban at the Council of Constance, is documented on 30 March 1416. Four years later, Bludenz passed to the Further Austrian possessions of the Habsburg dynasty.


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