Description of the attraction
Lienz is an Austrian city located in the federal state of Tyrol. The city is home to over 12,000 people. Lienz is often called the "city of the Dolomites".
From 300 BC the territory of modern Lienz was inhabited by the Celts, who came under the control of the Roman Empire in 15 BC. Lienz himself was first mentioned in a file issued by Bishop Brixen in 1030. The village, together with the neighboring Patriasdorf, belonged to the Patriarch of Aquileia. Located on an important trade route from Friulia to Salzburg, the market town of Lienz was granted city rights on February 25, 1242.
During the Italian campaign of the French Revolution, Lienz was occupied twice by French troops in 1797. After the Austrian defeat at the Battle of Austerlitz, Lienz, as part of Tyrol, went to Bavaria, and was recaptured by Austrian troops only in 1813. After the First World War, the southern part of the Tyrolean lands was ceded to Italy in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Saint-Germain.
The Lienz Mountains attract both professional climbers and tourists. Cycling races are held here twice a year (June and September). In winter people come here to ski and snowboard.
Lienz is a member of the Small Historic Towns Association. The 13th-century main square and Brook Castle, the seat of the Counts of Görz, built in the 13th-16th centuries, are considered the city's main attractions. In addition, the 15th century Gothic Church of St. Andrew with fragments of ancient Roman masonry, as well as the Franciscan Church of the mid-14th century with original frescoes of the 15th century are interesting to see. The local history museum with exhibits of the Gothic and Baroque eras and a collection of paintings by local artists, which is now located in Brook Castle, is also worthy of mention.
