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Klagenfurt, the capital of Austria's southernmost state,
Carinthia, with its numerous parks and small villas, seems more
like a resort town rather than a bustling business center. Framed
by mountain ranges to the north and south, Carinthia has deservedly
become one of Austria's most popular vacation spots. There is good
reason for this: Carinthia, and especially Klagenfurt, are always
in season - whether you're looking for sports, culture, shopping,
walks in the old city, or simply some R & R. The range of things to
do is virtually inexhaustible -there's literally something for everyone..
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Italian architects
laid the foundation for the city's southern aura, one that
has prevailed to this day. Many of the romantic courtyards and
arcades (some fifty throughout the city!) may be viewed during a
walk through Klagenfurt; they have been restored and now
accommodate coffee-houses, restaurants, souvenir shops, art
galleries, and, during the summer, sidewalk cafés. A shopping
excursion through Klagenfurt's old city center thus turns out to be
an atmospheric and relaxing experience. During August, the city
offers a wonderful summer festival called Altstadtzauber (The Magic
of the Old City) in the center of Klagenfurt - among many other
attractions, it also contains a large flea market
A chain of twenty-three castles encircles Klagenfurt like a pearl
necklace. Many of these historic buildings are such a short distance
from Klagenfurt or, indeed, within the city limits, that one may
simply "drop in," as it were. Some of them offer cultural
performances, others feature restaurants with fine cuisine, and
still others, such as Mageregg Castle, with remnants of a
sixteenth-century moat, make their animal sanctuaries accessible
to visitors. You may also rent a bike and explore the beauties of
Maria Loretto and the view of the lake which it overlooks. A visit
to Hochosterwitz Fortress, dating from the ninth century and at a
somewhat greater distance from Klagenfurt, should be planned in
advance - this beautiful and well-preserved castle, perched high
above a rocky hill, dominates the nearby landscape, and deserves
at least an entire afternoon. Not too far off is beautiful
twelfth-century Gurk Cathedral, which is located in one of
Corinthia's most idyllic valleys.
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