Volltext: Liechtenstein

a brilliant firework display starts 
‘rom the ramparts of the castle. 
What a setting! Vaduz appears to 
be a mere village of four thousand 
souls to the stranger but, in effect, 
is the capital of a country lying in 
the peaceful Rhine valley and domi- 
nated by the oldworld caste of its 
Ruling Monarch. 
The friendly Liechtensteiners acknow- 
ledge everyone with a “Griff Gott” 
(God’s greetings) and although visi- 
tors are welcomed and greeted with 
a ready smile, most of the inhabi- 
tants go about their own business 
and cows wander through the main 
streets of the villages and are never 
nurried to make way for cars, whilst 
the whole country resounds with the 
tinkling of cowbells. 
Liechtenstein is no more Walt-Dis- 
ney land. The percentage of the po- 
pulation working in industry is the 
highest of the world. Before World 
War I, 800 persons worked in indu- 
stry, today 4375. 65% of industry 
is metal processing. There are some 
big factories in Liechtenstein. 
“Hoval” produces central heatings, 
and is represented in six European 
countries. 
“Balzers AG” makes very specia- 
lised products used mainly in 
physics. 
“Hilti AG” is famous for their 
system in fixings. 
“Spoerry & Cie.” is the oldest 
factory in Liechtenstein. Under 
this name cotton-cloth are put 
into work. 
“Elastin AG” sausage-skins are 
made. 
“Scana AG” sells canned food. 
“Contina AG” is world known 
for the smallest calculating ma- 
chine. 
The local “Pink wine” is called 
“Vaduzer” and about 7000 gallons 
are produced yearly. During the 
wineharvest in early October whole 
‘amilies go to the vineyards to help 
with the picking of the dark-red 
grapes. But tourists should not be 
worried by the early morning sounds 
of shots ringing through the still air 
a fortnight or so before the harvest 
“akes place... this is only the work 
of a small band of men specially 
zmployed with ancient muzzle-loa- 
ders and instructions to fire at half- 
hourly intervals to frighten the birds 
off the near-ripe grapes; One of the 
most colourful vineyards belongs to 
‘he privately owned “Rotes Haus”, 
once a Benedictine monastery, and 
where still in the cellars the wine is 
oressed by the “Torkel” which is an 
snormous oak beam dating back to 
he 14th century. 
_iechtensteiners over twenty-one 
rears have the right to vote for 
members of Parliament. They are 
-epresented by fifteen members for 
the whole country, and elections 
‘ake place every four years. How- 
:ver, as in Switzerland, the women 
10ld no vote. There are three politi- 
zal parties but so similar that the 
aatives say that you have to be 
>orn in the Principality to know 
zhe difference between them. 
Liechtenstein postage stamps are 
ome of the most beautiful in the 
world and two or three sets are 
ssued each year. This brings in sub- 
:tantial revenue as do the corpora- 
ions registered in Vaduz. Nearly 
10 000 are based there as the perso- 
12] property and corporation taxes 
ire the lowest in Europe. Income 
ax is 4 to 129% and property tax 
nly 2 per thousand. 
Chere are no trade unions and, in 
:onsequence, no strikes and Liech- 
;entseiners hold their own passports. 
Most of the country’s income is used 
‘or improving the land in general, 
‘or schools and for road building. 
The highways are in excellent con- 
dition and the topmost village, Mal- 
sun, is easily reached by car or om- 
1ibus. The valley main road, runn- 
ng the whole length of the country, 
compares very favourably with 
foreign autoroutes. 
The Ruling Prince has the largest 
private art collection in the world, 
the treasures of which were previous- 
y housed in the Liechtenstein Palace 
‘n Vienna. Masterpieces include Ru- 
sens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Frans 
Hals, Botticelli, Ruysdael, Memling 
ste. There are also fabulous tape- 
stries, and in a magnificent armoury, 
weapons ranging from sword and 
sike to blunderbusses and delicately 
aand-carved female forms on the 
vory stocks of princely guns. There 
s an Exhibition or “Kunstausstel- 
ung” in Vaduz where several of 
hese priceless treasures can be seen. 
‘he other Museums of interest are 
ituated in Vaduz also. They are the 
Historical Museum (where many 
Roman relics can be seen) and the 
Postal Stamp Museum. 
Other attractions: Mini-Golf, Tennis 
courts, a super modern swimm-pool 
and a riding-school.
	        

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