The Upper Austrian town of Wels – called “Ovilava“ by the Romans – is the largest one, with approximately 60,000 inhabitants, in the group of “Small Historic Towns“. For already more than 2000 years the culture of life has been attended to in Wels. An especially delightful town, where life is worth living and the past, present and future merge harmonically together, has come into being. Life pulsates between sumptuous citizens' houses and modern purpose-built structures, romantic courtyards with arcades, posh pubs and elegant restaurants. The flair of the fair and shopping town of Wels is appreciated beyond regional borders. Approximately 650 specialised shops, lively pedestrian zones, street musicians and pub gardens as well as 200 cosy pubs and inns form the city’s profile. TOWNHISTORY

The Illyrians and the Celts are the first proven folk groups. From 15 B.C. followed 500 years under Roman rule. »Ovilava« was founded under Emperor Hadrian and was 90,000 hectares in area, it had a four-kilometre town wall and a gigantic bordering territory. The Christianising of the people took place at the beginning of the 5th century, and in A.D. 600 the Bavarians moved in. The »castrum uueles« was first mentioned in records in 776. Raised to market-town status in 1215 by the Babenberg Leopold VI, and to the town of Wels in 1222. Rulers such as Rudolf IV and Duke Albrecht III marked the town’s appearance in the years following. Emperor Maximilian I died on 12.1.1519 at Wels Castle. At the end of the 16th century, and the beginning of the Counter Reformation, wealthy citizens left the town; the Peasant Wars and the Thirty Years’ War caused the economic demise of Wels. The inner part of the town was converted to the Baroque style in the 18th century. Building of the horse-drawn railway and numerous industrial endeavours took place in the first half of the 19th century. From 1948 Wels en joyed an upswing and in 1964 the town was awarded the statute. SURROUNDINGS

Directly in front of the city gates lie a few attractive destinations for excursions – for example the zoo located in Schmiding bei Wels, the »agrarium« family adventure park with its 80 gardens of various themes, and the Kremsmünster Benedictine monastery with its world-famous art treasures. The St. Florian Canon Monastery, where the composer Anton Bruckner worked, can be reached in only 30 minutes by car or coach. In only 45 minutes you are right in the center of »Calcareous Alps National Park« or in the Salzkammergut with its crystal-clear lakes and the marvellous mountain world. It's just one hour drive by car even to Salzburg, the city of Mozart.
CITY & GOLF

Greenfee discount at the Wels golf corse. New indoor golf facility above the roofs of Wels.


Tourismusverband Wels
A-4600 Wels · Kaiser-Josef-Platz 22
Tel. +43/(0)7242/434 95
Fax +43/(0)7242/479 04
E-Mail: office@tourism-wels.at Further information at:
www.wels.at/tourismus