Klagenfurt : Austria
Klagenfurt (Slovenian Celovec) is the capital of the federal state of Austrian Carinthia (German Krnten, Slovenian Avstrijska Koroka) in Austria, on the Glan River. First habitated in the 12th century, it currently has a population of approximately 100,000.
It is a popular vacation spot with mountains to both the south and north, numerous parks and a series of 23 castles on its outskirt. In summer time the city is home to the festival of Altstadtzauber (The Magic of the Old City), the Ironman Contest and the Ingeborg Bachmann Preis, a German Literature Prize.
The Old City with its centre “Alter Platz” is also worth seeing. Notable landmarks include the Wrthersee lake, the warmest European Alpine lake, the Lindwurm Brunnen, a dragon fountain, and nearby Hochosterwitz castle, an impressively fortified castle on a high hill that can only be reached by an ascending spiral path which is fortified with a series of gates.
Also located here are the University of Klagenfurt and Klagenfurt airport. Among other Austrian educational institutions, there is also the Slovenian nonclassical gymnasium.
Famous residents include Joef Stefan, Robert Musil and Ingeborg Bachmann.
