Dornbirn, the newest and also largest town in Vorarlberg, lies only a few miles south of Bregenz at the edge of the Bregenzerwald on the edge of the wide valley of the Rhine. Since the end of the Second World War in particular it has developed to become the economic center of Vorarlberg; many well-known textile and engineering firms are established here and trade fairs are regularly held. First mentioned in records in 895 under the name of Torrinpuirron, it has existed under its current name only since 1901 and now extends right up to the Rhine.
No. 33 Marktstrasse in Dornbirn is the home of the Vorarlberger Naturschau. This natural history museum exhibits the flora and fauna of Vorarlberg, together with the geology, mineralogy and patterns of settlement in the area.
Dornbirn's modern Rathausplatz lies a little to the east of the Marktplatz, with an Arts Center in the middle of a lawned area. Further east stands the district police headquarters.
On the left bank of the Dornbirner Ache southwest of the Dornbirn town center are the studios of the ORF (the Austrian Radio and Television Service), and also the popular ice rink (skating and curling).
Near the Hohenems parish church stands the palace belonging to the Counts of Waldburg-Zeil (1562), in which two manuscripts of the "Nibelungenlied" were found in 1755 and 1779. During the 17th C. a Jewish community settled in Hohenems, and in 1771-72 a synagogue was built, which now serves as the fire-brigade headquarters. From the palace a footpath leads up in 40 minutes to the ruined 12th C. castle of Alt- Ems (713m/2,339ft) and to Glopper castle (Neu-Ems; 14th C.). From the top there are superb views over the Rhine valley to Lake Constance.
Downriver in Dornbirn on the left bank will be found the sports stadium, tennis courts and riding hall. These facilities can be used by sports groups which are not members of the local association.
Near the motorway on the western edge of the town of Dornbirn lie the modern trade fairgrounds. Since 1949 export and trade fairs have been held here every year in late July and early August.
The most notable building in the Dornbirn Marktplatz (1840), is the handsome Neo-Classical parish church with a columned entrance, painted pediment and separate Gothic belfry (1493).
Adjoining the Dornbirn parish church to the south stands the Rotes Haus, built by the well-known Vorarlberg family of Rhomberg in 1639. It is a handsome half-timbered Rhine valley house, painted red, which now contains a restaurant.
The SOS Children's Village known as Berg der Verpflichtung ("Mountain of Duty"), founded by the well-known social reformer Hermann Gmeiner, lies above Haselstauden in the north of the town of Dornbirn.
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