YY
Che (CS Pincipality
During the last few years the hand-
kerchief-sized Principality of Liech-
tenstein has become a popular corner
of Europe for the tourist who is
seeking something “different”, This
independent miniature country is
just under 61 square miles in area
and is situated in the heart of the
Alps on the right bank of the River
Rhine.
Nestling between Switzerland and
Austria, Liechtenstein is the last
German-speaking monarchy still in
existence. There is no poverty, no
unemployment, no exchange control
and the Customs is handled by
the Swiss. There has been no army
since 1868 and the last soldier died
at the age of 95 years, peacefully in
his home, in 1939. The police-force
has a full complement of 26 men
and one dog and is concerned main-
ly with traffic problems as crime is
rare. Indeed, although the capital of
Liechtenstein boasts a jail in the im-
posing government building, it is
seldom used.
The scenery is superb... from the
soft pastures of the valley to the
towering alps which form the fron-
tier with Austria there is a warmth
and friendliness which all visitors
feel. Although the main thorough-
fares of Vaduz and Schaan (the lat-
ter being the second largest town in
the country) bustle with activity
during the summer holiday season,
the peace and tranquility of the
rest of the land remains. Many of
the little roads in the “Unterland”,
around Schellenberg, are unknown
to any except the local peasants
who tread the same paths daily
with their beloved cows. For cows
in Liechtenstein are held in high re-
gard as approximately 8% of the
population of 20000 people are
farmers... there are 6276 cattle!
During the summer month the ma-
jority of these are sent up to the
high pastures mountains, to the
Samina Valley near Steg and Mal-
Sun. Little huts ar dotted about the
mountain-side stacked with hay for
winter feeding and above the stable-
doors are wooden plaques with the
letters “I. H. S.” superimposed upon
a cross. The “In Hoc Signo” signs
are blessings from the church upon
the herds. At this time of year Sun-
day mass is held in the open air
high in the mountains to enable the
peasants who look after the cattle
to attend services. As the winds
blow cold and autumn comes the
animals are brought down to the
valley again in a colourful ceremo-
ny called the “Alp Abfahrt” where
‘he best milkers lead the procession
down the mountains with their
heads garlanded in flowers and
crowned by an upturned milking
stool. Paul Gallico wrote a enchant-
ing story about it, called “Ludmila”.
Founded in 1719, Liechtenstein then
consisted of the lordsships (or esta-
tes) of Vaduz and Schellenberg and
was a part of the Holy Roman Em-
pire. The country joined the Rhine
Confederation in 1806 and it was
included in the German Confedera-
tion from 1815 to 1866. From 1866
to the present day the little Princi-
pality has remained independent. A
customs union was formed with
Austria by an agreement signed in
1852, which also called for co-ope-
ration in economic and political af-
fairs. After ten years the Ruling
Prince Johann II granted a consti-
:ution to his people; this gave them
che right to elect their own repre-
sentatives and ever since that time
Liechtenstein has been a constitutio-
nal monarchy.
Liechtenstein was fortunate to be neu-
tral during World War I, and after
wards when revolutions were sweep
ing over Europe the Austrian-Hun-
garian Empire broke up. It was at
this time that the Principality enter-
ed into long draw out negotiations
to form the same agreement with
Switzerland as it had enjoyed pre-
viously with Austria. By 1924 all
‘ormalities were complete and a cus-
“oms, monetary and postal union
was evolved which still operates to-
day to the benefit of both countries.
No loss of life or war damage was
suffered by the little Principality in
World War II as again it remained
neutral, In 1943 the present Ruling
Prince Franz Joseph II married
Countes Georgine Wilczek of Vien:
na and in 1945 a son and heir,
Prince Hans Adam, was born. The
late Pope Pius XII was his god-
father. Soon after the war they
came to live in the beautiful thir-
teenth-century Castle Vaduz, perched
on jutting rock overlooking the ca-
pital. (Gutenberg, the second castle
in the land and situated near Bal-
zers, is privately owned.) The ruling
couple now have four sons and one
daughter. They are loved and re
spected by their subjects.
The Ruling Prince’s birthday on
August 16th is marked by a gay
and colourful ceremony, for on the
previous evening the Royal Family
assemble on the balcony of the High
School in the centre of Vaduz. Spee-
ches are made, Boy Scouts an Girl
Guides from the whole Principality
form a torchlight parade, songs are
sung, the streets are packed with
loyal citizens and when the Prince
has spoken his thanks to his people
