Vöcklabruck

Infobox Town AT
name=Vöcklabruck
name_local=
image_coa = Wappen Voecklabruck.png

state = Upper Austria
regbzk =
district = Vöcklabruck
population =11715
population_as_of =15.05.2001
population_ref =
pop_dens =
area = 16
elevation = 433
lat_deg=48
lat_min=02
lat_sec=23
lat_hem=N
lon_deg=13
lon_min=40
lon_sec=06
lon_hem=E
postal_code = 4840
area_code =07672
licence = VB
mayor = Herbert Walter Brunsteiner (ÖVP)
website = [http://www.voecklabruck.at www.voecklabruck.at]

Vöcklabruck (IPA2|fœklaˈbʁʊk) is the administrative center of the Vöcklabruck district, Austria. It is located in the western part of Upper Austria, close to the A1 Autobahn as well as the B1 highway, and has been ranked in the top 10 most-visited cities in AustriaFact|date=January 2007.

Vöcklabruck's name derives from the River Vöckla which runs through the town, whose name in turn originates from a person's name ('Vechela') and 'Ache', meaning 'flowing water' or 'river'.

Vöcklabruck has many shops as well as services and schools. It was chosen for "Europäisches Schützentreffen" (the European Meeting of Marksmen) in 2003, and has and will play host to other events such as the "Internationale Musiktage" (International Music Gathering), "Landesgartenschau" (provincial garden show) 2007, and an "Erdbeerfest" (strawberry festival), among others.

The [http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/5,de,SCH1/objectId,RGN194at,classification,EXHIBITEVT,curr,EUR,folder,EVENT,layoutElementId,LAY4612,page,1,pageSize,10,season,at1,selectedEntry,event/event.html flea market] for antiques, materials, etc. is usually held on Fridays. Alongside this, food markets selling bread, fish, flowers, fruit, meat, sausages and vegetables etc. take place every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

It has a newly built hospital which has been declared the most modern in EuropeFact|date=January 2007.

Main sights

The distance to Salzkammergut's lakes from Vöcklabruck (11 km to the Attersee, 16 km to the Traunsee, 40 km to the Mondsee, 68 km to the Hallstättersee and 72 km to the Wolfgangsee) has led to the town's description as "the gateway to the Salzkammergut". Near the town there are many recreational facilities where people can enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities. Alongside these, Vöclkabruck offers:

* In the town square's tower, frescos discovered in the 1960s. They date from 1502 and were painted by Tyrolean Jörg Kölderer.
* "Dörflkirche"/"Ägidiuskirche"' (St. Giles' Church), Baroque church constructed between 1688-1691.
* "Schöndorfer Kirche", an early medieval fortified church, built before 824.
* Museum "Heimathaus" with Wolfsegg Iron

Famous residents

* Leonhard Schiemer, an important figure in the Anabaptist movement was born in Vöcklabruck around 1500
* Princess Alexandra of Hanover, the daughter of Ernst August V, Prince of Hanover and Caroline, Princess of Hanover was born in Vöcklabruck on July 20, 1999
* Jim Silye, Canadian politician and sportsman
* Wolfgang Holzmair, renowned baritone recitalist and opera singer, born in Vöcklabruck in 1952

ister cities

* Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
* Hauzenberg, Germany
*flagicon|Slovenia Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia

External links

* [http://www.voecklabruck.at Official webite] de icon
* [http://90.146.81.126/ Webcam of Vöcklabruck]