Kleines Walsertal#

Kleines Walsertal valley, Vorarlberg, southwestern lateral valley of the Iller River in northeastern Vorarlberg, drained by the Breitach stream. Alpine valley settled by emigrants from the Valais, Switzerland ("Walser"), only access by road via Oberstdorf in Bavaria, while the only connection with the Bregenzerwald Region is via footpaths. Though under Austrian administration, the valley, as an Asutrian costims exclave, has formed part of the German economic area (with the Deutschmark as legal tender) since 1891. Formed part of Bavaria between 1938 and 1945. Main community Mittelberg (1215 m), which includes the villages of Riezlern and Hirschegg. All-year tourism constitutes the principal source of income. A special feature of the Kleines Walsertal is the"Kleinwalser Frauentracht", a form of women's costume with a tall bridal crown and a "juppe" (stiff flared skirt with bodice).

Literature#