Gmünd

Infobox Town AT
name=Gmünd
name_local=
image_coa = 98px-Gmund_in_Karnten_CoA_svg.png

state = Carinthia
regbzk =
district = Spittal an der Drau
population =2605
population_as_of = 2001
population_ref =
pop_dens =
area = 31.59
elevation = 741
lat_deg=46
lat_min=54
lat_hem=N
lon_deg=13
lon_min=32
lon_hem=E
postal_code = 9853
area_code =04732
mayor = Josef Jury
website = [http://www.stadt-gmuend.at www.stadt-gmuend.at]

Gmünd is a town and municipality in Spittal an der Drau District, Carinthia, Austria.

Municipality breakdown

The municipality is divided into three parts for cadastral, but not for political, purposes: Gmünd, Kreuschlach and Landfrass. There are the following constituent villages (2001 pop. in parentheses):

History

Once a mansio at the Roman road leading to the Katschberg Pass and Iuvavum (Salzburg), the town of Gmünd was probably founded by Archbishop Eberhard II of Salzburg, as it was first documented in 1252. Gmünd was mentioned as a market in 1273 and received city rights in 1346.

To avoid Allied bomb raids the Porsche vehicle manufactoring company from 1944 on was headquartered in Gmünd until it moved to the Zuffenhausen district of Stuttgart in 1950. Here in Gmünd Ferry Porsche together with Erwin Komenda designed and built the first Porsche 356 sports cars, including the prototype "No.1" from 1948.

ights

Above the Old town with the palace of the Lodron noble family from 1654 is the ruin of Gmünd castle built in 1252, now a place for theatrical performances, concerts and lectures.

Near the former Porsche factory, a private museum today shows a choice of historic Porsche cars.

North of the town at the old Roman Road is the "Kreuzbichl" divided church from 1588. The road runs right between the altar and the nave, which was added in 1784.

Twin town

*flagicon|Germany Osnabrück, Germany since 1971

ee also

* List of cities and towns in Austria

External links

* [http://www.stadt-gmuend.at Official site]
* [http://www.auto-museum.at/enter.htm Porsche Automuseum Helmut Pfeifhofer] de icon
* [http://www.porschemania.com/articoli/tecnici/gmund/gmund.htm "Visita al museo Porsche a Gmund, in Carinzia" by Fulvio Gubiani] it icon