Landeck lies south of the Lechtal Alps in the upper Inn valley, at the junction of the Sanna with the Inn. The roads from the Arlberg and the Reschen (Resia) pass meet here, and the approaches to both passes were thus commanded by the castle which overlooks the town. Landeck dominates the East-West link between Vienna and Zürich and Lindau, as well as the North-South links between western Germany and Italy. It is also a winter sports center.
On the hill above the town stands Burg Landeck (c. 1200; later alterations and partially restored in 1949). It has a massive and impressive keep and there are extensive views from the tower. Note also the hall with Gothic vaulting and the frescos in the 16th C. chapel. The castle now houses a local museum displaying Tirolese art treasures (open June-Oct.).
The parish church was built in 1471 on the site of an older place of worship which, together with those at Seefeld and Schwaz, was one of the most important Gothic churches in northern Tirol. The nave is twice as high as the side aisles, and in the pediment of the west door is a relief depicting the Mother and Child with two angels. The most notable feature is the Late Gothic winged altar (16th C.; later additions). Let into the south wall is the covering stone from the grave of the knight Oswald von Schrofenstein (15th C.), as well as two carved death masks.
On the south bank of the Inn northeast of Landeck lies the parish of Zams (775m/2,543ft); note the parish church with its Roccoco altars. On a hill are the Kronburg ruins (1380), once one of the largest castles in northern Tirol. To the north stretches the Zammer Loch, a gorge on the Lochbach, with the Lötzer Wasserfall (waterfall). From Zams the Venet cableway, 3,550m/11,650ft long, runs southeastward up the Krahberg (2,208m/7,244ft), a peak in the Venet massif, with Landeck's main skiing area (several ski lifts, ski swing). The Venetberg (2,513m/8,245ft) is an easy one and a half hours' climb.
Address: Zams Tourist Office, Hauptplatz 6, A-6511 Zams, Austria
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