Mittelberg#

Mittelberg, Vorarlberg, municipality in the district of Bregenz, alt. 1,086 m, pop. 5,038, area 96.80 km2, one of the most popular bi-seasonal (mainly winter sports) tourist centres of Austria (1,852,444 overnight stays, mostly German guests) in the Kleinwalsertal valley. The municipality of Mittelberg comprises the whole valley with Mittelberg, Hirschegg (1,122 m) and Riezlern as the principal villages; since 1891 German customs territory and currency area (Austrian Customs Exclaves). Can only be reached via Oberstdorf (Bavaria). - Holiday hostel of the Naturfreunde (association of nature lovers), street highway maintenance depot, Walser museum, casino (Riezlern), new-apostolic municipality, Kanzelwand railway up Gundkopf mountain (1,949 m), cable railway up the Walmendinger Horn mountain (1,990 m). -Settled by the Walser people from Valais (Switzerland) at the beginning of the 14th century, part of Austria since 1453; parish church of St. Jodok (14th century, 1463 extended, 1693/94 adapted in Baroque style) with choir frescoes (16th century); church in Baad (1851); in Hirschegg parish church (1805/06), Protestant cruciform church (1953), roadside cross (18th century), "Nazesch Hus" (Valais house, 1697). In Riezlern parish church (1889-1891) with war memorial; some Valais houses in the scattered settlement area; roofed wooden bridges: Hoeflebruecke and Leidtobelbruecke bridges; skiing museum in Hirschegg.