Wels
| Wels | |
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Wels
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 Wels
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| Coordinates: 48°09′0″N 14°01′0″E / 48.15000°N 14.01667°ECoordinates: 48°09′0″N 14°01′0″E / 48.15000°N 14.01667°E | |
| Country | Austria |
| State | Upper Austria |
| District | Statutory city |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dr. Andreas Rabl (FPÖ) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 45.92 km2 (17.73 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 317 m (1,040 ft) |
| Population (14 June 2016) | |
| • Total | 60,399 |
| • Density | 1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal codes | 4600–4606 |
| Area code | 07242 |
| Vehicle registration | WE |
| Website | www.wels.at |
Wels (German pronunciation: [vɛls]) (Latin: Ovilava) is a city in Upper Austria, on the Traun River near Linz. It is the county seat of Wels-Land.
Wels is in the Hausruckviertel at an elevation of 317 m. From north to south, it extends over 9.5 km, from west to east over 9.6 km. 3.4% of the area is covered with forest, 23.5% is used for agriculture.
The town comprises the following boroughs: Aichberg, Au, Berg, Brandln, Dickerldorf, Doppelgraben, Eben, Gaßl, Höllwiesen, Hölzl, Kirchham, Laahen, Lichtenegg, Mitterlaab, Nöham, Niederthan, Oberhaid, Oberhart, Oberlaab, Oberthan, Pernau, Puchberg, Roithen, Rosenau, Schafwiesen, Stadlhof, Trausenegg, Unterleithen, Waidhausen, Wels, Wimpassing, Wispl.
The area of Wels has been settled since the Neolithic era (between 3500 and 1700 B.C.E.), as evidenced by archaeological finds of simple tools, especially from around the banks of the Traun River in what is now the city center.
A Bronze Age (after 1700 B.C.E.) cemetery was found in the area of the current airport and dated to the time of the Urnfield Culture (1100-750 B.C.E.). It contained 60 graves with such items as bronze jewelry and food.
Swords from the Halstatt Period (750–400 B.C.E.) have been found in the area of Pernau.
During the Iron Age La Tène Culture (up to 100 B.C.E.) Celts inhabited the area, leaving behind gold coins, swords, earthenware and iron brooches. The name "Traun" comes from this time and it is possible the "Wels" is similarly of Celtic origin. The name "Wels" could be Celtic for "Settlement on the bend of the Traun River".
Wels gained importance in Roman times because of its central location in the province of Noricum. Around the year 120, Wels received Roman city rights under the name of Municipium Ovilava. The enclosed built-up area by the Traun River was at the present level of Kaiser-Josef-Platz. There were brick houses, a bath, an arena and an irrigation system of pure mountain water brought from beyond the Traun.
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Wikipedia