Klagenfurt is the regional capital of Kärnten, the most southerly province in Austria. The town has over 20,000 inhabitants and is situated on one of the largest lakes in the country, the Wörthersee. It is the biggest lake in Kärnten and it is also one of the warmest alpine lakes. The people of Klagenfurt like to frequent the lake at a lido where up to 10,000 bathers gather on hot summer days. There are also smaller, more intimate lidos situated elsewhere on the Wörthersee shoreline. www.baden.kaernten.at
Tourism makes an important contribution to the economy of Klagenfurt and the province around it. Droves of visitors come to the south of Austria to experience the unique combination of towns, countryside, mountains, and lakes.
Klagenfurt's old city centre is one of the most beautiful in Austria, its many inner courtyards and arcades creating a homely atmosphere. The town's emblem is the Lindwurm dragon at the Neuer Platz, which is>also>where the Fan-zone will be based during the European Football Championship.
The old city is the perfect place to go shopping: the Alter Platz is home to many stores, while more boutique-style shops line the Kramergasse and Wienergasse. All this is enclosed within Klagenfurt's pedestrian zone. Kärnten's biggest shopping centre, the City Arkaden, is located right in the centre of Klagenfurt: www.city-arkaden.at.
Art and Culture
Klagenfurt's tourist office offers guided tours through the town. The Stadtgalerie, the Museum Moderner Kunst (Museum of Modern Art) and the Künstlerhaus also have interesting things to offer.
For young people
Most of the Beisl (Austrian eateries), Kneipen (pubs), Gasthäuser (guesthouses), restaurants and bars are located in the Old City a particular concentration down Herrengasse and in the surrounding area. The Europapark, situated right next door to the Wörthersee, is a leisure park and it is the perfect place to chill, play and relax, particularly on hotter days.
Under the youth protection clause it is illegal for under-16s to drink alcohol. It is legal to drink alcohol on public streets until 22:00.
Cinema
You have the choice of the Hollywood Cineplex Kino or the Kino Wulfenia, which is an arts cinema with a more sophisticated schedule.
In the Fischl district, which is home to many immigrants, there have recently been increasing numbers of incidents of rioting involving second and third generation youths. The town is trying to address the ongoing conflict by deploying social workers (Streetwork).
The thorny issue of the Slovenian minority living>in Klagenfurt and Kärnten and the associated social problems is continually being stirred up by political debates and individual political players. Nonetheless the different groups of people largely manage to get on with each other.
You can get more advice and find out more information about Klagenfurt during EURO 2008 at the following links:
www.fussball.kaernten.at
www.klagenfurt.at
www.info.klagenfurt.at
www.klagenfurt.at/euro08city
