Vöcklabruck
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(German pronunciation: [fœklaˈbʁʊk]; Central Bavarian: Féklabruk) is the administrative center of the Vöcklabruck district, Austria. It is located in the western part of Upper Austria, close to the A1 Autobahn as well as the B1 highway.
Vöcklabruck’s name derives from the River Vöckla which runs through the town, whose name in turn originates from a person's name ('Vechela') and 'Ache', meaning 'flowing water' or 'river'.
Vöcklabruck has many shops as well as services and schools. It was chosen for Europäisches Schützentreffen (the European Meeting of Marksmen) in 2003, and has and will play host to other events such as the Internationale Musiktage (International Music Gathering), Landesgartenschau (provincial garden show) 2007, and an Erdbeerfest (strawberry festival), among others.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1869 | 2,794 | — |
| 1880 | 3,076 | +10.1% |
| 1890 | 3,294 | +7.1% |
| 1900 | 3,562 | +8.1% |
| 1910 | 4,338 | +21.8% |
| 1923 | 4,520 | +4.2% |
| 1934 | 5,017 | +11.0% |
| 1939 | 5,546 | +10.5% |
| 1951 | 8,857 | +59.7% |
| 1961 | 9,353 | +5.6% |
| 1971 | 10,732 | +14.7% |
| 1981 | 11,019 | +2.7% |
| 1991 | 11,239 | +2.0% |
| 2001 | 11,697 | +4.1% |
| 2011 | 11,931 | +2.0% |
Sights
The distance to Salzkammergut's lakes from Vöcklabruck (11 km (7 mi) to the Attersee, 16 km (10 mi) to the Traunsee, 40 km (25 mi) to the Mondsee, 68 km (42 mi) to the Hallstättersee and 72 km (45 mi) to the Wolfgangsee) has led to the town's description as "the gateway to the Salzkammergut". Near the town there are many recreational facilities where people can enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities. Alongside these, Vöcklabruck offers:
- In the town square's tower, frescos discovered in the 1960s. They date from 1502 and were painted by Tyrolean Jörg Kölderer.
- Dörflkirche/Ägidiuskirche' (St. Giles' Church), Baroque church constructed between 1688-1691.
- Schöndorfer Kirche, an early medieval fortified church, built before 824.
- Museum Heimathaus with Wolfsegg Iron
Famous residents
- Leonhard Schiemer, an important figure in the Anabaptist movement was born in Vöcklabruck around 1500.
- Princess Alexandra of Hanover, the daughter of Ernst August V, Prince of Hanover and Caroline, Princess of Hanover was born in Vöcklabruck on 20 July 1999.
- Jim Silye, Canadian politician and sportsman.
- Wolfgang Holzmair, renowned baritone recitalist and opera singer, born in Vöcklabruck in 1952.
- Gerhard Narholz, production music composer/conductor born in Vöcklabruck in 1937.
- Oskar Czerwenka
International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Vöcklabruck is twinned with:
References
External links
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