Lienz, chief town of a district in East Tirol, lies in a wide basin in the valley of the Drau, which is joined here by its much larger tributary the Isel. To the south rear the rugged Lienz Dolomites. Thanks to its location on the road from the Glockner to Carinthia and the Italian Dolomites, and as the gateway to the valleys on the southern side of the Tauern, the town is busy with tourists. Lienz, probably inhabited years before by the Illyrians, was named Luenza around the year 1100, and received its town charter in 1252. From the 13th C. until 1500 it was owned by the Counts of Görz, whose seat was at Schloss Bruck from 1271 onwards. In 1501 the town and the castle were acquired by the Counts of Wolkenstein-Rodenegg.
The Lienz Dolomites constitute some of the finest peaks in the Austrian Alps. The attraction is particularly popular with climbers and nature enthusiasts.
The whole Parish church of St Andrä churchyard in Lienz is surrounded by arcades with wall paintings. The Memorial Chapel (Totenkapelle; by Clemens Holzmeister, 1925) commemorating citizens of Lienz who died in the First World War contains four fine murals by Albin Egger-Lienz (1868-1928), who was born near Lienz and is buried in the chapel.
In Muchargasse in Lienz, which leads from Johannesplatz to the Neuer Platz, is the Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche), an aisleless church (altered in the 15th C.) with a Gothic "pietà" and medieval frescos; in the cloister are 18th C. wall paintings.
The core of the old town, which extends along the banks of the Isel, is formed by the Hauptplatz, with the St Florian fountain. The square is dominated by the Liebburg, a mansion with two towers built in the 17th C. as a residence for the Counts of Wolkenstein and now converted into local government offices.
From the Schlossberg west of Lienz a chairlift ascends the Venedigerwarte (1,017m/3,337ft; on foot one hour) and the Leisacher Alm (1,511m/4,958ft); From there it is a one and a half to two hours' climb to the summit of the Hochstein (2,023m/6,637ft; Hochsteinhütte, inn in summer).
The Iselsberg (1,204m/3,950ft) is a saddle, commanding extensive views, between the Möll and Drau valleys, on the boundary between East Tirol and Carinthia. It attracts many visitors with its fine mountain air and is also a popular winter sports area (skilifts, toboggan runs).
From the southern approaches to the Grossglockner Road, coming from the Möll valley or Drau valley over the saddle on the Iselsberg, there are superb views of the Grossglockner.
The location of the Iselsberg offers a splendid view of the Lienzer Dolomiten mountains.
Address: Iselsberg-Stronac Tourist Office, Haus Nr. 172 , A-9991 Iselsberg-Stronac, Austria
In Lienz, Schweizergasse leads from the Neur Platz west to the Klöstele Church (partly 13th C.) of the restored Dominican Convent; opposite in an old wooden house is the Klösterle Smithy, and open air museum since 1966.
5km/3mi east of Lienz, beyond the road off to the Iselsberg, will be found the excavated remains of the Roman town of Aguntum, the oldest Roman valley settlement in Austria (first and second C. AD; museum).
Address: Aguntum, Stribach 97, A-9991 Leinz, Austria
At the eastern end of the Lienz Hauptplatz stands the old Mortuary Chapel (Friedhofskapelle; originally 16th C.), a small building preceded by a round tower.
To the north of Lienz is the skiing area of Zettersfeld (1,800-2,200m/5,900-7,200ft), which can be reached by a cabin cableway from Grafendorf (several chairlifts and ski tows).
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Lienz Dolomites
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