Lochau#

Lochau, Vorarlberg, municipality in the district of Bregenz, alt. 416 m, pop. 5,472, area 10.26 km2, at Lake Constance between Bregenz and the Austrian-German border. - Rhomberg barracks, vocational school for restaurant business, provincial educational centre and multi-purpose centre (Schloss Hofen), sports facilities, Alpine game preserve on the Pfaender mountain (Lochau and Bregenz). Soft cheese factory, large printing offices, production of building machinery and canned goods, advertising production company, summer tourism (31,581 overnight stays). - First documented mention in 1186 as "Lochin", since 1523 Austrian territory; neo-Romanesque parish church of 1844 with Baroque altar panel from Mehrerau and pulpit in late Rococo style; Neu-Hofen Renaissance Palace (built around 1584-1616, now Vorarlberg educational centre) with former late-Gothic house chapel (late 15th century), parts of Renaissance paintings uncovered in 1981; ruins of Alt-Hofen castle (first documented mention in 1281, from 1452 went to ruin); Wellenstein mansion (around 1555) with stucco ceilings (17th century); at the municipal border to Bregenz "Klausturm" (road barricade), built in the 16th century, enlarged from 1630 and 1642/43, closed down 1820, with a Baroque chapel (1704).