Schwaz () is a city in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is the administrative center of the Schwaz district. Schwaz is located in the lower Inn valley.

Location

Schwaz lies in the middle of the Lower Inn Valley at the foot of the Kellerjoch and Eiblschrofen mountains. It is located approximately east of Innsbruck.

The city covers an area of .

Neighbouring communities include: Buch bei Jenbach, Fügenberg, Gallzein, Pill, Stans, and Vomp.

History

Schwaz has been firstly mentioned as „Sûates“ in deed dating back to 930–1. The Counts of Tyrol guarded Schwaz from nearby Burg Freundsberg. At the town's height during the 15th and 16th centuries, it was an important silver mining center, providing mineral wealth for both the Fugger banking family and, through them, for the Austrian emperors. During this period, its population of about 20,000 inhabitants made it the second largest city in the Austrian Empire, after Vienna.

Schwaz received its city rights in 1898 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

Population

Economy

Three large industrial companies have their headquarters in Schwaz:

  • Tyrolit – a globally active producer of bonded abrasives
  • Adler Lacke – a family-run producer of coating systems
  • DAKA – a regional waste management company

Notable people

thumb|140px|[[Martin Hoellwarth, 2004]]

  • Georg Scherer (1540 – 1605), a Roman Catholic pulpit orator and controversialist.
  • Albert Jäger (1801–1891), an Austrian priest and historian who specialized in Tyrolean history.
  • Maximilian Joseph von Tarnóczy (1806–1876), an Austrian Cardinal and Archbishop of Salzburg
  • Cordula Wöhler (1845–1916), a German author of Christian poetry and hymns, lived locally from 1881
  • Joseph Messner (1893–1969), an Austrian musician, composer and priest.
  • Hans Köchler (born 1948), a retired professor of philosophy at the University of Innsbruck

Sport

  • Traudl Hecher (1943–2023), was an Austrian World Cup alpine ski racer and Olympic medalist.
  • Martin Höllwarth (born 1974), a former ski jumper and three time silver medallist at the 1992 Winter Olympics
  • Hannes Aigner (born 1981), an Austrian former footballer who played over 400 games
  • Michael Steinlechner (born 1987), an Austrian footballer who played 266 games
  • Stephanie Brunner (born 1994), an World Cup alpine ski racer and team silver medallist at the 2018 Winter Olympics
  • Franjo Ivanović (born 2003), a Croatian footballer

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

Schwaz is twinned with:

{|class="wikitable"

|- valign="top"

|

  • Bourg-de-Péage
  • Mindelheim
  • Tramin
  • Trento

||

  • Verbania
  • Satu Mare
  • Sant Feliu de Guíxols
  • East Grinstead

|}

<gallery mode=packed>

File:Schwaz, Tyrol, Austria.jpg|Aerial view

File:Eiblschrofen near Schwaz b 2007.jpg|Eiblschrofen near Schwaz, seen from N.

File:Schwaz (Tyrol) from NE closer.jpg|Schwaz seen from NE, closer

File:Schwaz-Parish Church.jpg|Schwaz, Parish Church, consecrated in 1502

File:Schwaz, der Friedhofsturm Dm10410 met buste Ludwig Penz foto5 2012-08-09 14.02.jpg|Tower (der Friedhofsturm) and bust from Ludwig Penz

File:Schwaz, straatzicht foto1 2012-08-09 13.44.jpg|View to a street

</gallery>

References

  • Web site of the municipality of Schwaz (German)
  • Schwaz Silver Mine (German)
  • official tourism information of Schwaz (English)