Things To Do in Klagenfurt
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Klagenfurt Attractions
Alter Platz, both a broad thoroughfare and a square, is lined with many baroque mansions. It's a pedestrian zone that's the center of the Altstadt (Old Town), and many crooked, narrow little streets and alleys open off the square.
The Trinity Column in Alter Platz dates from 1681; it was built to commemorate those who died from the plague. One of the most interesting buildings on the square is the 17th-century Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall). It has a three-story arcaded courtyard. The Haus zur Goldenen Gans (House of the Golden Goose), on Alter Platz, dates from 1599.
The Domkirche (Cathedral) of Klagenfurt lies to the southeast of Neuer Platz. Construction on this building began in 1578, and the interior is richly adorned in stucco and has ceiling paintings from the 18th century. Next door to the cathedral, Diozesanmuseum, Lidmanskyg 10 (tel. 0463/577701064), is a small, often overlooked, museum containing a remarkable collection of religious art from the 12th to the 18th centuries. Sculpture, tapestries, jewelry, artwork, and stained glass are on display here, including the oldest extant stained-glass window in the country, a portrait of Mary Magdalene from 1170. Some works of art in the museum are truly remarkable, including one-of-a-kind pieces such as a rare processional cross made of iron with traces of gilt dating from the 12th century. Diozesanmuseum is open June 1 to June 14 and from September 15 to October 15, Monday to Saturday 10am to noon; from June 15 to September 14, Monday to Saturday 10am to noon and 3 to 5pm. Admission costs 4€ ($6.40) for adults and 2€ ($3.20) for children.
If you're traveling with children, consider an excursion to a nearby theme park, Minimundus, Villacherstrasse 241 (tel. 0463/21194; www.minimundus.at). Here, scaled-down versions of the world's most famous buildings are artfully arranged in a layout that incorporates flower beds and whimsical interpretations of some of the buildings. Examples include small-scale versions of the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, Big Ben, and various European castles and Asian temples. Every model within the park measures approximately 1/25 the size of the original. Minimundus is open April to October. In April and October, it's open daily from 9am to 6pm; in May, June, and September, it's open daily 9am to 7pm; in July and August, it's open daily 9am to 8pm. Admission costs 12€ ($19) for adults and 7€ ($11) for children under 16.
Klagenfurt Shopping
The largest, grandest, and most formal theater in Klagenfurt is the Stadttheater, Theaterplatz 4 (tel. 0463/540640; www.stadttheater-klagenfurt.at), which presents opera, classics of German theater, and chamber and orchestral music performed by visiting groups. Built in 1910, this building went through a 2-year renovation (ending in 1998) that has given it a new state-of-the-art interior.
If you're lucky enough to arrive in Klagenfurt between mid-July and late August, make a point of strolling through the Neuerplatz every evening after 9:30pm. Here, open-air movies of famous cultural events (from virtually everywhere) are presented without charge. Past presentations have included filmed concerts by Billy Joel, Liza Minnelli, Montserrat Caballé, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and the Vienna Opera's presentation of various operas by Verdi. Kiosks around the square's perimeter offer snacks and drinks.
The rest of the year, take an evening stroll around the neighborhood of the Pfarr-platz, where you'll find most of Klagenfurt's nightlife options. The best of the lot includes Bar Gallo Nero, Pfarrhofgasse 8 (tel. 0463/512780), where there's live music that never dips into anything too loud, too metallic, or too abrasive. Nostalgic references to Ireland pour out of Pub Molly Malone, Theatergasse 7 (tel. 0463/57200), where pints of Irish, German, and Austrian beer make the traditional ballads and fiddle music more appealing.
Klagenfurt Nightlife
The largest, grandest, and most formal theater in Klagenfurt is the Stadttheater, Theaterplatz 4 (tel. 0463/540640; www.stadttheater-klagenfurt.at), which presents opera, classics of German theater, and chamber and orchestral music performed by visiting groups. Built in 1910, this building went through a 2-year renovation (ending in 1998) that has given it a new state-of-the-art interior.
If you're lucky enough to arrive in Klagenfurt between mid-July and late August, make a point of strolling through the Neuerplatz every evening after 9:30pm. Here, open-air movies of famous cultural events (from virtually everywhere) are presented without charge. Past presentations have included filmed concerts by Billy Joel, Liza Minnelli, Montserrat Caballé, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, and the Vienna Opera's presentation of various operas by Verdi. Kiosks around the square's perimeter offer snacks and drinks.
The rest of the year, take an evening stroll around the neighborhood of the Pfarr-platz, where you'll find most of Klagenfurt's nightlife options. The best of the lot includes Bar Gallo Nero, Pfarrhofgasse 8 (tel. 0463/512780), where there's live music that never dips into anything too loud, too metallic, or too abrasive. Nostalgic references to Ireland pour out of Pub Molly Malone, Theatergasse 7 (tel. 0463/57200), where pints of Irish, German, and Austrian beer make the traditional ballads and fiddle music more appealing.
