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{{Short description|Village in Austria}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Lech
| native_name =
| settlement_type = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline = Lech village 2005.jpg▼
▲| image_skyline = Lech village 2005.jpg
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| image_shield = AUT Lech COA.png
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| shield_link = <!-- Maps -->▼
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▲<!-- Maps -->
▲| pushpin_map = Austria
▲| pushpin_mapsize = 270
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Austria
| image_map
| mapsize
| map_alt
| map_caption
<!-- Location -->| coordinates = {{coord|47|12|00|N|10|09|00|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country▼
| subdivision_name = [[Austria]]
▲| subdivision_type = Country
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| subdivision_name1 = [[Vorarlberg]]▼
| subdivision_type2 = [[District (Austria)|District]]
▲| subdivision_name1 = [[Vorarlberg]]
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| parts_type =
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| leader_name = Gerhard Lucian
| leader_party = ▼
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| leader_name1 = <!-- Statistics -->▼
▲| leader_party =
| area_footnotes = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_footnotes}}▼
| area_total_km2 = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_total_km2}}▼
| area_metro_km2 =
▲<!-- Statistics -->
| elevation_m = 1444▼
▲| area_footnotes = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_footnotes}}
| elevation_max_m = ▼
▲| area_total_km2 = {{Austria population Wikidata|area_total_km2}}
|
| population_as_of = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_as_of}}▼
▲| elevation_m = 1444
▲| elevation_max_m =
▲| population_as_of = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_footnotes = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
| population_total = {{Austria population Wikidata|population_total}}
| population_urban
| population_metro
| population_note =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| established_title =
| established_date =
| timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset = +1
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of Austria|BZ]]
| postal_code_type = [[List of postal codes in Austria|Postal code]]
| postal_code = 6764
| area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in Austria|Area code]]
| area_code = 05583
| website = [http://www.gemeinde.lech.at www.gemeinde.lech.at]
| footnotes =
}}
'''Lech am Arlberg''' is a mountain village and an exclusive [[ski resort]] in the [[Bludenz (district)|Bludenz district]] in the westernmost [[Austria]]n state of [[Vorarlberg]], on the banks of the [[Lech (river)|river Lech]].
In terms of both geography and history, Lech belongs to the Tannberg district. In touristic terms, however, it is part of the Arlberg region. Lech is administered together with the neighbouring villages of [[Zürs]], Zug, Oberlech and Stubenbach.
==
The [[altitude]] of 1444 m for the village refers to the location of the old church on a hill. 14.1% of the municipal area is forested, 58% of the area is Alpine. Geographically and historically, Lech belongs to the Hochtannberg region, formerly Tannberg, but in terms of tourism the municipality is part of the [[Arlberg]] region. Lech belongs to the district of [[Bludenz]] and also to the judicial district of Bludenz, but unlike its southern neighboring communities of [[Klösterle, Austria|Klösterle]] and [[Dalaas]], which also belong to the district of Bludenz, it is not located in the [[Klostertal]], but in the Arlberg massif to the northeast of it.
Lech was settled and founded in the first half of the [[14th century]] by [[Walser]] migrants from the canton of [[Valais|Wallis]] in Switzerland.▼
In the municipal area of Lech, the source rivers Formarinbach (source near the [[Formarinsee]]) and Spullerbach, which flows out of the Spullersee, merge to form the river Lech, which then flows via Warth through the [[Tyrol|Tyrolean]] [[Lechtal]] towards [[Bavaria]].
==History==
▲Lech was first mentioned in 642. It was settled and founded in the first half of the [[
The church of St Nicholas, which is thought to have been built around 1390, was the parish church of the Tannberg administrative district, and there was also a Tannberg district court in Lech until the dissolution of the Tannberg district in 1806.
During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Lech was temporarily ceded to Bavaria along with the provinces of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.
In recent decades, the once small town has developed into a flourishing community, thanks to the influence of [[Tourism|winter tourism]] and, increasingly, by summer tourism.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historische Hintergründe: Webseite Gemeinde Lech am Arlberg|url=https://gemeinde.lech.eu/gemeinde/ueber-lech/historische-hintergruende/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=gemeinde.lech.eu}}</ref>▼
Until 1885, the mountain farmers of the Arlberg region lived exclusively from agriculture, mainly dairy farming and cattle rearing. The arrival of the Arlberg Railway brought the first tourists and the new sport of skiing.
The villages of Lech, Warth and [[Zürs]] am [[Arlberg]] were virtually inaccessible in winter until the construction of the Flexen road, as huge amounts of snow blocked the roads and avalanches were a constant threat. For those, who dared to travel, the journey from the main station in Langen to Lech took at least 2.5 hours. For the Flexen road, paths were blasted into the rock, creating a permanent link between [[Stuben am Arlberg|Stuben]], Zürs and Lech. The Flexen road took 5 years to build.
The first ski school in Lech was founded in 1925. In the beginning there were only 2 instructors at the school. Students had to climb the mountain on foot before they could learn to ski on unprepared slopes. In 1939 Lech's first lift was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lech am Arlberg - (Ski-)Geschichte eines Urlaubsortes - ARLBERG INSIDER |url=https://www.arlberginsider.com/infos/geschichte/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=www.arlberginsider.com/ |language=de-DE}}</ref>
▲In recent decades, the once small town has developed into a flourishing community, thanks to the influence of [[Tourism|winter tourism]] and, increasingly,
Today, Lech and [[Zürs]] am [[Arlberg]] alone have more than 1,600 inhabitants. Every year there are around 1 million overnight stays, although the number of beds in Lech Zürs is limited to 10,000 in order to maintain the quality of tourism and protect nature as much as possible. The Oberlech area has been a particular focus of nature conservation and has been a traffic-free zone since 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lech am Arlberg - (Ski-)Geschichte eines Urlaubsortes - ARLBERG INSIDER |url=https://www.arlberginsider.com/infos/geschichte/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=www.arlberginsider.com/ |language=de-DE}}</ref>
==Population==
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|2011|1627
}}
==Climate==
Lech has a [[subarctic climate]], bordering on a [[humid continental climate]] with cold winters and cool summers. The heavy snows, which fall in winter, make Lech a sought-after ski resort.
{{Weather box
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}}
==
In recent years Lech has grown to become one of the world's prime ski destinations and the home of a number of world and Olympic ski champions.
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The mountain holiday scenes in the movie ''[[Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason]]'' were shot in Lech.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317198/locations|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref>
===
The ski area Lech-Zürs has been the venue for numerous [[FIS Alpine World Ski Championships|FIS Alpine World Ski Championship]] races in the past, including the following:<ref>{{Cite web|title=ZÜRS BEKOMMT WELTCUP ZUSCHLAG|url=https://www.lechzuers.com/presse/zuers-bekommt-weltcup-zuschlag/|website=Lech Zürs|language=de-DE|access-date=2020-04-30|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* November 2021: parallel (men), winner: Hirschbuehl Christian (AUT)
parallel (women), winner: Slokar Andreja (SLO) and Stjernesund Thea Louise (NOR)
* November 2020: parallel (men), winner: Pinturault Alexis (FRA)
slalom (women), winner: Petra Vlhova (SVK)
* January 1988: [[super-G]] (women), winner: [[Zoe Haas]] (SUI)
* November 1991: 2 [[Slalom skiing|slalom]] races (women), winners: [[Vreni Schneider]] (SUI) and [[Blanca Fernández Ochoa|Bianca Fernández Ochoa]] (SPA)
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* December 1994: 2 slalom races (men), winner: [[Alberto Tomba]] (IT)
In 2020, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup was postponed to 26 and 27 November due to a lack of snow and high temperatures on the original dates of November 14 and 15.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schneemangel: Parallel-Rennen in Lech/Zürs wird auf den 26./27. November verlegt. |url=https://skiweltcup.tv/index.php/schneemangel-parallel-rennen-in-lech-zuers-wird-auf-den-26-27-november-verlegt/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |language=de-DE}}</ref> The next alpine ski races will be held again in Lech on 10 and 11 November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Audi Fis Ski World Cup Lech Zürs |url=https://www.lechzuers.com/de/flexenrace-lech-zuers |url-status= |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=lechzuers.com |language=de}}</ref>
=== Wintersport ===
The Ski Arlberg ski area on both sides of the Vorarlberg border currently (as of the 2014/15 season) comprises 350 km of groomed slopes and 200 km of designated touring slopes. About 63 per cent of the ski slopes can be covered with artificial snow. A total of 97 lifts and cable cars are in operation with a transport capacity of 123,600 people per hour. Lech and Oberlech (Arlberg West) account for 23 of these lifts and cable cars, as well as 17 ski runs and 18 ski routes.
Since the 2013/14 winter season, the Auenfeldjet gondola lift has connected the previously neighbouring but separate ski areas of Ski Arlberg West and Snowworld Warth-Schröcken.<ref>{{Cite web |last=kaufmanna |date=2014-03-27 |title=Erfolgreiche Weltpremiere Auenfeldjet |url=https://www.vol.at/erfolgreiche-weltpremiere-auenfeldjet/3908648 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=vol.at}}</ref> In the 2016/17 winter season, the last gap in the area was closed with the construction of the Flexenbahn between Stuben and Zürs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flexenbahn {{!}} skiarlberg.at |url=https://www.skiarlberg.at/de/Ski-Arlberg/Flexenbahn |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.skiarlberg.at |language=de}}</ref> The resulting combined ski area is currently the largest in Austria, with a total of 88 lifts and 304 kilometres of pistes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Österreich: größte Skigebiete - Größtes Skigebiet in Österreich |url=https://www.skiresort.de/skigebiete/oesterreich/sortiert-nach/laenge-pisten/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.skiresort.de}}</ref> However, tickets can only be purchased for the Snowworld-Warth-Schröcken, Ski Arlberg Ost and Ski Arlberg West ski areas; the Ski Arlberg ski pass is required to use the entire ski area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-03 |title=Der Auenfeldjet verbindet die Skigebiete Lech Zürs und Warth-Schröcken |url=http://www.vorarlberg.travel/de/skiurlaub-oesterreich/der-auenfeldjet-verbindet-die-skigebiete-lech-zurs-1952875.html |access-date=2023-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103230539/http://www.vorarlberg.travel/de/skiurlaub-oesterreich/der-auenfeldjet-verbindet-die-skigebiete-lech-zurs-1952875.html |archive-date=3 January 2016 }}</ref>
The Langer Zug piste (piste number 215) from Rüfikopf (via piste 181) to Lech is one of the ten steepest groomed pistes in the world.
As part of the extreme snowfall in central Europe in January 2019, the Lange Zug was in the media as a German avalanche victim was searched for several days: A group of four experienced German skiers were killed by an avalanche on a slope that was closed at the time. Only three people were found during the initial search, and the fourth victim was not recovered until four days after the accident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-03 |title=Lawinen-Drama in Österreich: Polizei findet Leiche des vierten Deutschen in Lech |url=https://www.merkur.de/welt/lawinen-drama-in-oesterreich-lech-leiche-vierten-deutschen-gefunden-zr-11180425.html |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.merkur.de |language=de}}</ref>
=== Heliskiing ===
Lech is the only place in Austria where heliskiing is still permitted. The landing sites are on the Mehlsack (2652 m) and on the Orgelscharte near the Göppinger Hütte (Göppinger Hut). There are no flights on weekends or on public holidays.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Herbke |first=Stefan |title=Vorarlberg: Bregenzerwald – Rätikon – Silvretta. 50 Skitouren |publisher=Bergverlag Rother GmbH |location=Munich}}</ref> The ÖAV questioned the legality of the extension of the heliskiing permit in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=VorarlbergUntersteinstraße 5 |first1=© Alpenverein |last2=Datenschutzeinstellungen |first2=6700 Bludenz05552 62639E-MailImpressum {{!}} Datenschutzmitteilung {{!}} |title=Heliskiing |url=https://www.alpenverein.at/vorarlberg/Natur/Natur-und-Umwelt/Aktivitaeten/Archiv/04-Heliskiing.php |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=www.alpenverein.at |language=de}}</ref> In January 2022, the permit was again extended, despite sharp criticism from the Green Party in the Vorarlberg coalition government, a negative opinion from the Vorarlberg environmental department and a similarly negative opinion from the Bludenz district administration. Wucher, the helicopter company operating the heliskiing, had applied for a 5-year extension, as had been the case in the past. In the face of growing criticism of the activity, which causes massive environmental damage, the current permit is limited to 2.5 years, and it is doubtful that it will be renewed in 2024. Vorarlberg regional councillor Rauch and the ÖAV announced that they would review the permit or take legal action against it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=red |first=vorarlberg ORF at |date=2022-01-20 |title=Heliskiing: Rauch will rechtliche Schritte prüfen |url=https://vorarlberg.orf.at/stories/3139512/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=vorarlberg.ORF.at |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=red |first=vorarlberg ORF at |date=2022-02-08 |title=Alpenverein will Heliskiing bekämpfen |url=https://vorarlberg.orf.at/stories/3142163/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=vorarlberg.ORF.at |language=de}}</ref> In each of the last two winter seasons, around 250 such flights took place, involving around 1000 participants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-17 |title=ORF-TVthek |url=https://tvthek.orf.at/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=ORF-TVthek |language=de}}</ref>
=== Mountainbiking ===
Lech is also a popular destination for mountain bikers in summer and autumn. The Heckmair and Joe Transalp routes pass through Lech.
=== Hiking ===
Hikers can explore the Lech mountains on the Lechquellenrunde and Robert Bosch Trail. Many of the hiking trails in the Lech area can be reached using the facilities that are open in the summer as well as the so-called hiking buses. There are a number of Alpine Club huts, both with and without accommodation, that can be reached from Lech.
== Culture ==
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* the '''church of St Nicholas''', which was built in the Gothic style around 1390, and extensively renovated in 1987. Particular features are the Rococo interior dating from 1791 (although there are some earlier Romanesque frescoes); the 33-metre-high tower with its distinctive onion-shaped dome; and bronze bells, the oldest of which dates from the beginning of the sixteenth century,<ref>{{Cite web|title=St. Nikolaus Kirche Lech|url=https://www.lechweg.com/de/am-weg/highlights/st-nikolaus-kirche-lech/|access-date=2020-07-30|website=Lechweg|language=de}}</ref>
* the '''historic Huber House''', now a museum, was built in 1590; it displays examples of the earlier way of life and work in the region, with
* '''"Horizon-Fields": life-sized human sculptures''' by the sculptor [[Antony Gormley]], which were placed in the mountains surrounding Lech. Originally numbering 100, most were removed in April 2012,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at/horizonfield/html/projekt.htm|title=KUNSTHAUS BREGENZ – HORIZON FIELD|website=www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref>
* '''The Green Ring:''' a three-day tour around Lech-Zürs in [[Vorarlberg]], in which a person well-versed in local literature serves as a hiking guide. Along the trail there are 35 art installations dealing with local people, culture and stories. This was originally a [[LEADER programme|LEADER-Project]], carried out by the two artists Daniela Egger and Daniel Kocher. The art and literature project "The Green Ring" will be continuously and sustainably expanded and extended in the coming years,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dergruenering.at/en/|title=The Green Ring – Der Grüne Ring|last=Arlberg|first=Lech Zürs am|website=www.dergruenering.at|language=de|access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref>
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=== Regular events ===
[[File:Der Weiße Ring.JPG|thumb|227x227px|Sign for the White Ring circuit]]
*'''[[The White Ring (Ski circuit)|The White Ring]] (''Der Weiße Ring'')''' is the longest ski race in the world, according to [[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of Records]]. 5,500 metres altitude, 22 kilometres of ski runs. Ski pioneer Sepp Bildstein was the initiator of the White Ring, the ski resort that has connected the villages of Lech, [[Zürs]], [[Zug]] and Oberlech for over 50 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Der Weiße Ring|url=http://www.derweissering.at/HD/index.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626061641/http://www.derweissering.at/HD/index.php|archive-date=26 June 2018|access-date=22 May 2017|website=www.derweissering.at|language=de}}</ref> In 1940, the first ski lift was built on the White Ring, thus laying the foundations for a legendary skiing holiday resort. In addition to 22 kilometres of ski runs, the winter sports enthusiast have a unique mountain backdrop, also thanks to viewing platforms and art installations. The first race at the White Ring was held in 2006 for the 50th anniversary of the ski resort. The course record is 44:10:75 minutes and has been held since 2010 by Markus Weiskopf.<ref>
*'''[[Philosophicum Lech]]''': The Philosophicum Lech is a philosophical symposium on philosophical, cultural and social science reflection, discussion and encounter. The well-endowed ''Tractatus'' prize is awarded to the best scientific essay.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vorarlberg/Agenturen|first=O. R. F.|date=2019-09-26|title=Philosophicum Lech: "Aktuell und brisant"|url=https://vorarlberg.orf.at/stories/3014614/|access-date=2020-09-08|website=vorarlberg.ORF.at|language=de}}</ref>
*'''[[Medicinicum Lech]]''': A public health event that deals with topics related to health and nutrition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Arlberg|first=Lech Zürs am|title=Medicinicum Lech|url=http://www.lech-zuers.at/medicinicum-lech/|access-date=22 May 2017|website=www.lech-zuers.at|language=en}}</ref>
*'''Arlberg Classic Car Rally:''' In 2017, for the eighth time, 120 classic cars from 1908 to 1973 went on tour between [[Arlberg]] and [[Zugspitze]] for three days, as a rolling museum. In memory of the great achievements of the former road builders, the beginning of the really leads from Lech down through the Flexenpassgalerie to Stuben and finally to Wald am Arlberg. The route between Lech and Zürs was opened in 1897 and is regarded as a technical masterpiece.<ref>{{Cite web|last=GmbH|first=Lech Zür Toursimus|title=- Der Grüne Ring|url=http://www.arlbergclassic-car-rally.at/en/|access-date=22 May 2017|website=www.arlbergclassic-car-rally.at|language=de}}</ref>
*In July 2021, the literary festival Literaricum Lech will take place for the first time in Lech, dedicated to a masterpiece of world literature. For the 2021 premiere, the oldest bestseller in the German language, "Simplicius Simplicissimus" by Hans Jakob [[Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen|Christoffel von Grimmelshausen]], was examined from different angles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-12 |title=Literaricum Lech 2021: Das neue Literaturfest feierte eine gelungene Premiere |url=https://www.meinbezirk.at/landeck/c-lokales/das-neue-literaturfest-feierte-eine-gelungene-premiere_a4761299 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=MeinBezirk.at |language=de}}</ref>
==Notable people==
===
▲* [[Gerhard Nenning]] (*1940-1995), alpine ski racer
=== Residents ===
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*[[Egon Zimmermann]], 1960s Olympic skiing champion and world skiing champion
*[[Patrick Ortlieb]], 1990s Olympic skiing champion and world skiing champion
==Sister cities==
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The action in the detective novel ''Crossed Skis - An Alpine Mystery'' by Carol Carnac, who also wrote as [[E. C. R. Lorac]], takes place in London and Lech, with a party of English skiers. First published in 1952, it was republished in 2020 as part of the British Library Crime Classics series.
Lech was one of the filming locations of the 2004 movie ''[[Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (film)|Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason]]'', with [[Renée Zellweger]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moviehiker.com/filmlocations/film/Bridget+Jones+The+Edge+of+Reason|title=Movie Hiker | Bridget Jones
==References==
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[[Category:Tourist attractions in Vorarlberg]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Bludenz District]]
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