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Liechtenstein is the last German-speaking monarchy country and it has its capital at Vaduz. Though the country has an estimated population of 35,000, but interesting it is the second highest gross domestic product (GDP) per person in the world. Liechtenstein uses Swiss Franc as their national currency.
Took a morning train from Neuchâtel at 0724 hours and arrived at Sargans at about 1032 hours. Along the journey, beautiful sceneries could be seen when the train traveled pass Lake Zurich (photos below). One observation was the clouds were seems to be hanging low near to the lake. My guess is that we were at a higher altitude.
This was my first time taking a double-deck train (left photo below). The cabin has sufficient space for passenger movement even though it is second class. Finally after more than 3 hours of train ride, we arrived at a Switzerland town – Sargans (right photo below).
A majestic mountain welcomed us upon stepping out of the train (left photo below). The bus that we need to take was just across a the road (right photo below). We boarded Bus no. 12 (bottom left photo) which took about 15-mins to reach the capital Vaduz directly. The bus was air-conditioned which is very similar to those of Switzerland (bottom right photo). Cost per ride was CHF 3.60.
Along the journey, I realized that bus-stop at Liechtenstein has a clear and bright signage (left photo below). Also I noticed that the word "Post" was found at every bus-stop. Not too sure if this word means "bus-stop" in Liechtenstein?
We alighted at 'Post Vaduz' (right photo below), which is just in front of the capital centre.
Liechtenstein Center
Walked behind the bus stop and the Liechtenstein center (left photo below) caught my attention, especially the colorful flags hanging above. As part of the promotional presentation for Shanghai Expo 2010, the Chinese name of Liechtenstein was displayed (right photo below) outside the center.
According to most travel guides, the best souvenir to get from this country is a Liechtenstein stamp on the passport (left photo below). Each stamp (right photo below) cost CHF 3 or EUR 2 and it is unique because there are no custom checks at either Liechtenstein boundaries; be it from Switzerland or Austria.
Besides the stamp, there is souvenir coins available for collectors from a dispensing machine (left photo below) located outside the center. Collectors' coins or medallions are common in most European countries, in which the cultural heritage or landmarks of each city will be embossed onto these coins. Each medallion sold from the machine cost EUR 2 and I only got myself the design of Vaduz Castle (right photo below).
The smell of barbeque food was so strong that we were attracted to these food stalls (left photo below). Interesting there was roasted suckling pig (right photo below). Probably there is no cultural difference when comes to delicious food. The barbeque smell actually came from this stall (bottom left photo) and I bought a burger with sausages (bottom right photo) for CHF 10. The taste of the sausages was great.
Vaduz Streets
There was some performance at the Liechtenstein center on that day (left photo below) but we only stayed for less than 15-mins to watch the performance while having our lunch. Decided to stroll along the main street of Vaduz and I saw this cow painted with the national flag of Liechtenstein (right photo below). This definitely will make good background for travel photos.
Most shops at Vaduz sell souvenirs that are associated to Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The hand-crafted wooden dolls displayed outside the shops looked delicate and eye-catching (photos below). Wonder if anyone will buy out of impulse?
As it was Saturday, weekly Saturday market was held under the shaded canopy (left photo below). Farmers from various parts of the country will gather at this market place to sell their product. The streets of Vaduz aren't that long (photos below) and can be covered easily within half an hour by foot.
Tourist Attractions at Vaduz
The Liechtenstein National Museum, also known as Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum, is a public foundation of the Principality of Liechtenstein. The museum displayed the national and natural histories of Liechtenstein. The musuem is just located besides the Liechtenstein center (right photo below). Cost of admission is CHF 8 per adult, and opening time from 1000 to 1700 hours (from Tuesday to Sunday) and extension till 2000 hours on Wednesday. The museum is closed on Monday.
Just a few minutes walk down the street from the National Museum is the Post Museum (right photo below). It collects and preserves important documents of the Liechtenstein philately and postal history. Admission is free and daily opening hours from 1000 to 1200 hours and 1300 to 1700 hours.
Liechtenstein Art Museum, known as Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, is the state museum for the Modern and Contemporary Arts of Liechtenstein and other international collections. This modern building is only completed in year 2000 (left photo below). Regular admission to the museum is CHF 12 and free on 1st Sunday of the month. Opening time is from 1000 to 1700 hours (from Tuesday to Sunday) and extension till 2000 hours on Thursday. The museum is closed on Monday.
Though not exactly a museum, the Rathaus of Vaduz (right photo below) is worth taking a look as it was built in 1932 till 1933. Rathaus is a German word which means City Hall.
There is also city train tour available just behind the market place. The train (left photo below) looked similar to the trams except it runs on wheels. Tickets can be purchased from the counter (right photo below) behind, at CHF 10.50 or EUR 7 per adult. The whole ride takes about 35-mins around the Vaduz city. We didn't take the ride as we intended to visit the next landmark: Vaduz castle.
Vaduz Castle
Vaduz Castle, or Schloss Vaduz in German, is the palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. A model of the Vaduz Castle (left photo below) is displayed directly behind the market place; probably for tourists. The signage (right photo below) "Schloss" directed us towards the castle. The path leading to the castle are steep at times (bottom left photo) and can be slippery during raining season. Historical and geographical information about Liechtenstein can be learned from the information boards (bottom right photo) while walking up along the path.
As the castle is located at a hilltop overlooking the Vaduz city, almost the whole city is within sight (photos below) from the viewing platform along the path. Also the Austrian Alps can be seen clearly opposite the city.
Since 1938, the castle has been the primary residence of Liechtenstein's Royal Family. To me the castle look modest from outside compared to other castles I've seen (photos below) even though it is the royal palace of a country.
Do note that Vaduz castle is not open to tourists and are guarded tightly round the clock.
Gutenberg Castle
Located in Balzers municipality, the Gutenberg Castle is owned by the State. There is a restaurant inside the castle, and cultural as well as social events are held at the castle occasionally. The photos below were taken during the bus ride on the way to (left photo below) and back (right photo below) from Sargans.
From the schedule posted at the Post Vaduz (left photo below), bus timing is fixed in Liechtenstein. Just like Switzerland, the buses are very punctual and this was verified by the Bus no 12 arriving on time at 1450 hours. A ticket was issued to every passenger (right photo below) and the cost of each ride was CHF 3.60.
This visit to Liechtenstein was the shortest tour I've ever made to a country in less than 4 hours. Though small and almost similar to most towns in Switzerland, the visit does give me an opportunity to understand this lesser-known and mysterious European country better.
We then took train to visit the Rhine Falls in Switzerland.