Villach, the second largest town in Carinthia, lies near the frontiers with Italy and Yugoslavia in the wide basin of the Drau, which is joined here by the Gail. The Villacher Alpe to the west and the Karawanken chain to the south, together with the Julian Alps to the rear, form a magnificent mountain backdrop. As the center of this mountain region, the town attracts many visitors on their way to the Carinthian lakes or into Yugoslavia, and the thermal springs draw many people to this popular spa. There was already a bridge and fortified camp here in Roman times, under the name of Bilachinum. In 1007 the town passed into the control of the Bishops of Bamberg; in 1060 it appeared in documents as a market, and in 1240 was named as a town. Maria Theresa purchased it from the bishops in 1759, and it then became part of Austria. Villach is now the most important traffic junction in the Eastern Alps.
In the Schillerpark, in the south of Villach (Peraustrasse) a large relief model of Carinthia (Kärntner Relief) has been laid out, on scales of 1:5000 and 1:10,000.
The Finkenstein Ruins (16th century) are located at the foot of the Mittagskogel. The site is now used as a venue for a number of summer cultural events.
Villach lies on both sides of the River Drau, connected by several bridges. The long Hauptplatz (main square), cutting across the middle of the old town, links the main bridge over the Drau at its northern end with the parish church at its southern end. A Trinity Column (1739) stands in the square, which also boasts a number of fine old burghers' houses, notably the Alte Post and the Paracelsushof (16th C.) - the latter recalls the residence in the town of the scientist and physician Theophrastus Paracelsus (1493-1541).
On the eastern bank of the Gail lies Maria Gail, with a fine old parish church. Note the beautiful Late Gothic winged altar of 1520, depicting the Crowning of the Madonna, surmounted by the Dove of the Holy Spirit and a choir of angels; various Biblical scenes can be seen on the side panels of the altar and there are frescos (14th C.) showing the "Flagellation of Christ".
To the northwest of the Villach Rathaus, at Widmanngasse 38, is the interesting Municipal Museum (Stadtmuseum), with prehistoric, early historical, medieval and more modern collections and works of art, etc. In the courtyard will be found a section of the old walls with a reconstructed walk along the battlements.
The Parish Church of St Jacob, on a terrace above the end of the Villach Main Square, is a three-aisled Gothic hall church (14th C.) with a narrow choir and a tower 95m/312ft high (view), linked with the church only by an arched gateway. The splendid Baroque canopied altar (1740) has a large Gothic crucifix (1502); in the choir can be seen a huge fresco of St Christopher (c. 1740); there is also a stone pulpit of 1555. The baptistry contains a Gothic font and choir stalls of 1464. Note also the many finely carved gravestones belonging to members of old noble families (16th C.), including the Khevenhüllers. Opposite the church, to the southeast, stands the new town hall (Neues Rathaus, 1952).
Standing a little way to the south of the Schillerpark in Villach, this church has an unusual three-story facade with twin towers. Architecturally it is very interesting; Late Gothic (1726-44), its ground plan is cruciform with an octagon in the center, surmounted by a dome. The altars and pulpit are richly decorated.
In the northwest of the town will be found the parish church of St Martin (present building 1962). Note the Baroque high altar with the Late Gothic Madonna, the vespertine group in the transept and the paintings.
3km/2mi from the town of Villach in the southern outskirts lies the spa of Warmbad Villach (501m/1,644ft). The radioactive mineral springs (28-30 deg C/82-86 deg F) are recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, circulatory disorders and nervous diseases. In the park are a large thermal swimming pool with a treatment complex, an open air pool with a sauna, a fun pool with numerous leisure facilities, the "Zillerbad" thermal pool, as well as tennis and riding.
Address: Warmbad-Villach Tourist Office, A-9504 Warmbad-Villach, Austria
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