Introduction to Feldkirch

If you're heading for Bregenz, Vorarlberg's capital, the Bregenz Forest, or Switzerland, you really should stop at Feldkirch and Dornbirn along the way. Arrive in Feldkirch in the morning, wander through the old town and castle, and stay the night before continuing on to Bregenz.

This venerable town, "the gateway to Austria," lies on the western edge of Vorarlberg. Unfortunately, many people rush on to other destinations, but we think this town, dating back to medieval times, is worth exploring. Feldkirch was once a fortified town that grew up at the "heel" of Schattenburg Castle, on a tributary of the Ill River.