We’ll be spending a few days in Europe’s micro-country of Liechtenstein during my husband’s conference. It is snuggled between Austria and Switzerland in a green valley surrounded by the majestic Alps.
A Little About Liechtenstein:
The country celebrated 300 years of existence in 2019. It is the only country in the world in which its name was acquired from the reigning princely family. It is the fourth smallest country in Europe and has a population of 37,877 and is just over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles). The capital is Vaduz, where we’ll be staying, has 5,000 people and standing above is a medieval castle, where the ruling family lives. Even though the country is small, there are sights to see!
Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein: A black concrete cube contains Liechtenstein’s modern and contemporary art museum. Artists include realist Gustave Courbet, surrealist Marcel Duchamp and the kinetic art of Jean Tinguely. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits. You can continue to explore more art next door at the Hilti Art Foundation.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm; Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm; Closed Mondays
Admission (Swiss Francs): Adult 10 CHR and Children 16 and under free
Address: Städtle 32, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum (Liechtenstein National Museum): It is housed a former tavern and customhouse dating from 1438. The museum includes arms and armory, history of the country, tapestries, maps, and artwork. The exhibits spread over three main buildings with 42 exhibit rooms across 2000 square meters.
Hours: Tuesday- Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesday, 10 am – 8 pm, Closed Monday.
Admission: Adult 10 CHR and Children 16 and under free.
Address: Städtle 43, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Schatzkammer Liechtenstein (Treasure Chamber of the Principality of Liechtenstein): The museum exhibits belongings to the Princes of Liechtenstein. These include works of art, historic weapons and opulent presents belonging to the rulers such as Prince Friedrich II of Liechtenstein and Emperor Kaiser Joseph II of Austria. Other collections include Russian Easter eggs including the world-famous Apple Blossom Egg by Faberge as well as other Faberge Easter eggs and goldsmith pieces. The museum even has lunar rocks collected by astronauts on board Apollo 11 and Apollo 17.
Hours: Tuesday- Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesday, 10 am – 8 pm, Closed Monday.
Admission: Adults 8 CHF and children under 16 free. You can do a combo ticket with the National Museum for 13 CHF.
Address: Städtle 43, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Museo de Sellos (Postal Museum): Explores stamps including rare ones, issued by the Principality of Liechtenstein since 1912 when the first Liechtenstein postage stamp was created. The museum was started in 1936. You can learn about postal designs, stamp artwork, engraving plates, print proofs and postal equipment. This is a good chance for my son to learn about post offices, hopefully they will be still be used in his future.
Hours: Daily, 10 am – 5 pm.
Admission: Free
Address: Städtle 37, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Schloss Vaduz (Vaduz Castle): The castle sits above Vaduz. It is home to the Liechtenstein royal family. The castle was originally constructed as a fortress in the early 12th century, before living quarters were added in 1287. You can’t go in the castle but you can checkout the grounds and the vista from the hill. Trail ascends from Haldenweg. You can see inside the castle once a year on Aug. 15, Liechtenstein’s National Day.
Address: Bergstrasse 2, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Alte Rheinbrücke: Vaduz’s only remaining covered wooden bridge spanning the Rhine from Liechtenstein to Switzerland. It measures 135 meters (443 feet) in length and was completed in 1901. The bridge is no longer used for vehicles so it makes for nice walk across the river when you’re in town.
Address: Rheinstrasse, 9475 Sevelen, Switzerland
Kathedrale St. Florin (Vaduz Cathedral): A neo-Gothic church and the center of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vaduz. It was built in 1874 by Friedrich von Schmidt, who was an architect from Vienna, originally a parish church, however, since 1997 it has had the status of cathedral. It is free to enter and is open to the public.
Hours: (Could not find them listed)
Admission: Free
Address: St. Florinsgasse 15, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein
NOTE: I read on a fellow blog that the museums take a lunch hour and close, I will have to make a note to check hours when we get there.
Other Sites: Castle Burg Gutenberg, Pfarrkirche Triesenberg,and St. Mamerten Kapelle.
