CULTURE
The arc of Liechtenstein culture
spans the period from early times to the present day.
The history of Liechtenstein has
already been well researched and just as well documented. Various
peoples have left their traces in Liechtenstein.
In the National Museum of Liechtenstein
(currently closed on account of structural damage), there are
exhibits from the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, the times of
the Romans and the Middle Ages.
Some outstanding ceramic finds have
even given certain civilizations their scientific names. Also
still present in the countryside are, for example, the foundations
of a large Roman villa at Nendeln, the remnants of the walls of
a Roman fort at Schaan, the foundations and remainders of various
early churches at or below churches - at Eschen and Bendern, overgrown
early Christian burial mounds (Balzers) and so on.
In the Liechtenstein National Archives,
there are also documents from medieval times when witch-hunting
was widespread and claimed numerous victims
Liechtenstein is full of life! There
are plenty of attractions for all tastes:
Museums, banks, boutiques, family
entertainment, ski resorts, historical sites, sport facilities,
vineyards etc.
Winter sports in Liechtenstein are
concentrated in two areas, Malbun (1600 above sea-level) and Steg
(1300 above sea-level). In Malbun, there are two chair lifts,
four ski lifts, one toboggan run and a well- maintained network
of footpaths.
In addition to historical culture,
there is the heritage of local and national customs, also visually
present in recent decades in the form of national dress. It is
not possible in the space available here to review all the different
customs but mention may be made of a few.
There
is 'Funkensonntag' ('Spark Sunday'), just before Easter, when
straw witches are burnt on gigantic bonfires - recalling heathen
ceremonies to drive away winter and also the burning of witches.
This is both a public festival and a competition between the various
villages. There are also many religious or religiously motivated
customs, some of which are associated with the mainly Christian
public holidays since Liechtenstein is almost 90 percent Roman
Catholic and has formed part of the Swiss diocese of Chur from
time immemorial.
