Rattenberg (Tirol)

Rattenberg
Coat of arms
Rattenberg Location within Austria
Location within Kufstein district
Coordinates: 47°26′20″N 11°53′36″E / 47.43889°N 11.89333°E / 47.43889; 11.89333Coordinates: 47°26′20″N 11°53′36″E / 47.43889°N 11.89333°E / 47.43889; 11.89333
Country	Austria
State	Tyrol
District	Kufstein
Government
• Mayor	Franz Wurzenrainer
Area
• Total	0.11 km2 (0.04 sq mi)
Elevation	521 m (1,709 ft)
Population (1 January 2016)
• Total	414
• Density	3,800/km2 (9,700/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	6240
Area codes	+43 5337
Vehicle registration	KU
Website	www.rattenberg.at

Rattenberg is a town on the Inn River in the Austrian state of Tyrol near Rattenberg mountain and Innsbruck. It is the smallest town in the country.

The proximity of a mountain to the south of the town means that Rattenberg, like many villages nested in steep sided valleys throughout the Tyrol region of the Alps, receives no direct sunlight for much of the winter. It is one of the few places at a significant southerly latitude that experiences a prolonged period without direct sunlight (another is Viganella, Italy), although the sky remains bright while the town is in the mountain's shadow so there is no permanent darkness or 'polar night' as experienced north of the Arctic Circle.

Founded in the 14th century, it was built in the literal shadow of Rat Mountain to protect itself from marauders. Maximilian I had the original town citadel expanded to a formidable fortress.

In November 2005, the town announced they were building 30 specialized rotating mirrors called heliostats to reflect sunlight into parts of the town during the winter months. The $2.4 million operation was suggested by Bartenbach Lichtlabor GmbH, a lighting design company. The EU planned to foot half the bill as of November 2005. However, the project was never implemented.

Rattenberg has been known for its glass making. Its abundance of crystal glass shops continue the tradition of craftsmanship.