Il Liechtenstein It is a pearl in the valley of the rin, easily accessible and ready to fascinate anyone who loves nature and medieval towns.
Il Principality of Liechtenstein It is one of the smallest states in Europe, located between Austria and Switzerland. It is the Rhine that marks the border with Swiss territory, while on the eastern front the limit is marked by the mountains. The Principality is not far from lake constance, which especially attracts tourists to the area. The standard of living is generally high, making it the third richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita, integrated into the Swiss economy thanks to a monetary and customs union. The euro is generally accepted, but The national currency is the Swiss franc. It is a constitutional monarchy, with independence obtained in 1806, with German representation. The official language is Swiss German which is generally spoken among locals.
What to see in Liechtenstein
Il Liechtenstein It is a small, rich city with almost fairytale contours. It does not have its own airport, but it can be easily reached by bus from nearby. Switzerland. Nature lovers will be delighted with the views it offers. The first stop is, without a doubt, Vaduz, not exactly popular in terms of mass tourism, but it has a spectacular one. castle that must be admired, at least from the outside. Built in the 12th century, it is the residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein, which prevents public access to its interior. However, nearby it is possible to appreciate the Red House, among the sites most appreciated by tourists, located on a mountain, overlooking one of the largest vineyards in the country.
Of particular importance for Vaduz There is the Art Gallery, which houses various collections of modern and contemporary art, including that of the Prince. Instead, the National Museum is present in a 15th century hotel, which also attracted the attention of Goethe. Moving towards the south you reach Balzers, of clear medieval style, still today protected by the majestic Gutenberg castle. To get there you have to climb a 70 meter high hill, inhabited since the Neolithic. There are many small towns that attract the attention of tourists, from Nendeln and Eschen to Schaan, just 3 km from the capital and at the foot of the Drei Schwestern mountain range.
The 300 years of the Principality
On January 23, 2019, Liechtenstein held its own 300 years, remembering the famous day in 1719 when the county of Vaduz and the lordship of Schellenberg were united, according to the decree of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. Various initiatives to celebrate the event, spread throughout the entire annual calendar.
The National Museum will propose an exhibition on the period of birth of the Principality, about which there is not much precise information on the historical front. The objective is precisely to fill these gaps by providing the public with more information. The Storia 25 event will also take place between May 26 and 3.0, which includes the launch of the LIstory app, which will bring tourists and locals closer to different popular historical sports along Liechtenstein Road, using augmented reality. On August 15 there will be a great national celebration of the 300, with locals and tourists mixing in the streets of the Principality.
Vaduz Castle
Il castle of vaduz, where the Prince of Liechtenstein resides, is undoubtedly the true symbol of the State. From the top of the cliff it dominates the sky of the Principality, built in the 12th century by the counts of Werdenberg-Sargans, to defend the entire area. It is impossible for the public to set foot inside, but there is surely no shortage of descriptions, photographs and details of its interiors, which represent a perfect example of small medieval citadel. The tower, which sits on an imposing 12 by 13 meter floor plan, is part of the structures added between 1529 and 1532, after the devastation of the fire by the Swiss, unlike the admirable entrance today. These, beyond which only the Prince, his family and his guests are admitted, were built later. In fact, the initial version was located on the side of the patio, with a height of 11 meters. Inside the castle there are also the foundations of the chapel of Santa Anna, which dates back to the Early Middle Ages, and unlike its main altar, from the late Gothic.
Where can you meet the royal family
The small size of the Principality allows you to meet prestigious people and members of the royal family, walking through the streets of Vaduz. Sightings by locals and tourists are not that rare, especially near the castle or perhaps on the ski slopes during the winter. Of John Adam II, ruler of Liechtenstein to his son Louis, Prince of Liechtenstein, to whom he handed over power in 2004, until his second son Maximilian. The latter's name is especially well-known among lovers of royal gossip, given his marriage to Angela Brown from Liechtenstein. The latter, of bourgeois origin, is 10 years older than her husband but, as they say, her heart does not rule. Love at first sight led them to the altar, transforming Angela of Liechtenstein into Europe's first black princess.
Moving to Liechtenstein for work
Mudarse a Liechtenstein to start a new life, looking for a job or accepting an attractive offer, means being among the 72 citizens admitted to Europe each year. This depends on the need to protect the internal balance of a Principality that is the size of a small town, with Approximately 36 thousand inhabitants. Source of residence permits It is assigned by lottery, while the rest of the applications are managed by the government, which mainly rewards the most outstanding personalities who can enrich the employment fabric of the Principality. With the permit it is possible to reside in Liechtenstein for 5 years and then officially apply for permanent residence. The income tax is progressive but does not exceed 8%, what makes this country One of the most attractive tax havens in Europe.. However, the weight of the municipal tax must be evaluated, which, depending on the income received, can increase taxation up to a maximum of 20%. VAT also presents decidedly low percentages, from 8% to 2,5%.
How to get to Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein does not have a airport, which means that to get to this pearl located in the Rhine Valley by plane you must land in Switzerland. Therefore we must reach Zurich, which is 110 km away (or Altenrehim, 50 km away), and then rely on one of the numerous buses available, which can also be booked online. If you prefer the train, you can take the main line connecting Vienna and Zurich, stopping at Schaan station, north of Vaduz. Minimum distances even by car, for those leaving from Milan, which offers the shortest journey. In fact, it is a journey of just 250 km.
