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.