Wels
Encyclopedia
Wels is the second largest city
of the state
of Upper Austria
, located in the north of Austria
, on the Traun River
near Linz
. It is not part of its surrounding Wels County (Bezirk Wels-Land
), but a so-called Statutarstadt (independent city). However, Wels is the county seat
of Wels-Land
.
at an elevation of 317 m. From north to south, it extends over 9.5 km, from west to east over 9.6 km. 3.4% of the area is covered with forest, 23.5% is used for agriculture.
The town comprises the following boroughs: Aichberg, Au, Berg, Brandln, Dickerldorf, Doppelgraben, Eben, Gaßl, Höllwiesen, Hölzl, Kirchham, Laahen, Lichtenegg, Mitterlaab, Nöham, Niederthan, Oberhaid, Oberhart, Oberlaab, Oberthan, Pernau, Puchberg, Roithen, Rosenau, Schafwiesen, Stadlhof, Trausenegg, Unterleithen, Waidhausen, Wels, Wimpassing, Wispl.
The area of Wels has been settled since the Neolithic
era and gained importance in Roman
times because of its central location in the province of Noricum
. Around the year 120
, Wels received Roman city
rights under the name of Municipium Ovilava. Around 215
, it was named Colonia Aurelia Antoniana Ovilabis by Emperor Caracalla
. At that time, the city already had 18,000 inhabitants. However, Wels completely lost its importance with the end of Roman rule.
Wels served as a minor trading centre during the Middle Ages
.
In 1222, during the rule of the Babenberger family, Wels again received city rights. A document dating to 1328 provides evidence for Wels' important role as the location of a market. Its endowment with economic privileges, and its advantageous position on several rivers allowed it to gain an important position in the region.
Emperor
Maximilian I
died in Wels on January 12, 1519, after having been denied access to Innsbruck
by its citizens.
During World War II
, a subcamp of Mauthausen concentration camp was located here.
On January 18, 1964, Wels became a Statutarstadt of Austria.
and higher vocational schools and also of a vocational college. Furthermore, it is famous for the Wels Fair, which takes place every two years in the autumn.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of the state
States of Austria
Austria is a federal republic made up of nine states, known in German as Länder . Since Land is also the German word for a country, the term Bundesländer is often used instead to avoid ambiguity. The Constitution of Austria uses both terms...
of Upper Austria
Upper Austria
Upper Austria is one of the nine states or Bundesländer of Austria. Its capital is Linz. Upper Austria borders on Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as on the other Austrian states of Lower Austria, Styria, and Salzburg...
, located in the north of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, on the Traun River
Traun River
Traun is a river in the Austrian state of Upper Austria. Its source is in the Totes Gebirge mountain range in Styria. It flows through the Salzkammergut area and the lakes Hallstätter See and Traunsee. The Traun is a right tributary of the Danube, which it meets near the City of Linz...
near Linz
Linz
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
. It is not part of its surrounding Wels County (Bezirk Wels-Land
Wels-Land
Bezirk Wels-Land is a district of the state ofUpper Austria in Austria.- Municipalities :Towns are indicated in boldface; market towns in italics; suburbs, hamlets and other subdivisions of a municipality are indicated in small characters.*Aichkirchen*Bachmanning*Bad...
), but a so-called Statutarstadt (independent city). However, Wels is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Wels-Land
Wels-Land
Bezirk Wels-Land is a district of the state ofUpper Austria in Austria.- Municipalities :Towns are indicated in boldface; market towns in italics; suburbs, hamlets and other subdivisions of a municipality are indicated in small characters.*Aichkirchen*Bachmanning*Bad...
.
Geography
Wels is located in the HausruckviertelHausruckviertel
The Hausruckviertel is an Austrian region belonging to the state of Upper Austria: it is one of four "quarters" of Upper Austria the others being Traunviertel, Mühlviertel, and Innviertel...
at an elevation of 317 m. From north to south, it extends over 9.5 km, from west to east over 9.6 km. 3.4% of the area is covered with forest, 23.5% is used for agriculture.
The town comprises the following boroughs: Aichberg, Au, Berg, Brandln, Dickerldorf, Doppelgraben, Eben, Gaßl, Höllwiesen, Hölzl, Kirchham, Laahen, Lichtenegg, Mitterlaab, Nöham, Niederthan, Oberhaid, Oberhart, Oberlaab, Oberthan, Pernau, Puchberg, Roithen, Rosenau, Schafwiesen, Stadlhof, Trausenegg, Unterleithen, Waidhausen, Wels, Wimpassing, Wispl.
History
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
era and gained importance in Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
times because of its central location in the province of Noricum
Noricum
Noricum, in ancient geography, was a Celtic kingdom stretching over the area of today's Austria and a part of Slovenia. It became a province of the Roman Empire...
. Around the year 120
120
Year 120 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Severus and Fulvus...
, Wels received Roman city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
rights under the name of Municipium Ovilava. Around 215
215
Year 215 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Laetus and Sulla...
, it was named Colonia Aurelia Antoniana Ovilabis by Emperor Caracalla
Caracalla
Caracalla , was Roman emperor from 198 to 217. The eldest son of Septimius Severus, he ruled jointly with his younger brother Geta until he murdered the latter in 211...
. At that time, the city already had 18,000 inhabitants. However, Wels completely lost its importance with the end of Roman rule.
Wels served as a minor trading centre during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
.
In 1222, during the rule of the Babenberger family, Wels again received city rights. A document dating to 1328 provides evidence for Wels' important role as the location of a market. Its endowment with economic privileges, and its advantageous position on several rivers allowed it to gain an important position in the region.
Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor
The Holy Roman Emperor is a term used by historians to denote a medieval ruler who, as German King, had also received the title of "Emperor of the Romans" from the Pope...
Maximilian I
Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor
Maximilian I , the son of Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor and Eleanor of Portugal, was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1493 until his death, though he was never in fact crowned by the Pope, the journey to Rome always being too risky...
died in Wels on January 12, 1519, after having been denied access to Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
by its citizens.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a subcamp of Mauthausen concentration camp was located here.
On January 18, 1964, Wels became a Statutarstadt of Austria.
Economy
There are about 36,000 people employed in Wels. Of that, about 63% are in the service sector. Wels is known as an important city for shopping and the location of several gymnasiums (grammar school)Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
and higher vocational schools and also of a vocational college. Furthermore, it is famous for the Wels Fair, which takes place every two years in the autumn.
Personalities
- Alois AuerAlois AuerAlois Auer, born 1813 in Wels, Austria, died 11 June 1869; was a printer, inventor and botanical illustrator, most active during the 1840s and 1850s. He produced a number of works in German and other languages, including the first regarding the nature printing process. He was the director of the...
- Gerhard GruberGerhard GruberGerhard Gruber is an Austrian composer and piano player. As accompanist for silent movies he has become the leading authority in Austria since 1988....
- Werner KreindlWerner KreindlWerner Kreindl was an Austrian television actor.He appeared in around 75 TV programmes between 1966 and his death in 1992. He was probably best known for his appearances in SOKO 5113 from 1978 to 1992.- Filmography :...
- Christian MayrlebChristian MayrlebChristian Mayrleb is an Austrian footballer who currently plays for Austrian team FC Pasching.-Club career:Born in Upper Austria, Mayrleb started his professional career at Second Division side Stahl Linz and SV Ried before joining First level outfit Admira/Wacker at the start of the 1994/1995...
- Paul RübigPaul RübigPaul Rübig is an Austrian politician and Member of the European Parliament with the Austrian People's Party, Member of the Bureau of the European People's Party and sits on the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.He is a substitute for the Committee on Budgets, a...
- Helge PayerHelge PayerHelge Payer is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Rapid Vienna and internationally for the Austrian national team.-Club career:...
- Thomas SteinerThomas SteinerThomas Steiner , is an Austrian experimental film director of short films, and painter.He was born in 1956 in Wels, Austria. He studied at the College of Design in Linz and at the Academy of Applied Arts in Vienna. 1979 he war one of the founders of the Stadtwerkstatt , Linz. In 1986 he established...
- Julius Wagner-JaureggJulius Wagner-JaureggJulius Wagner-Jauregg was an Austrian physician, Nobel Laureate, and Nazi supporter.-Early life:...
See also
- FC WelsFC WelsFC Wels is an Austrian association footballclub founded in 2003 playing in the Austrian Regional League Central during 2008/2009 season. The club is based in the city of Wels.-Current squad:-Staff and board members:...
- Wels AirportWels AirportWels Airport is an airport serving Wels, a city in the Austrian state of Upper Austria....
- TrodatTrodatTrodat, Inc. according to its own data, is the world’s largest manufacturer of self-inking rubber stamp . The Trodat international group of companies has its company headquarters in Wels, Austria...
- TGW Logistics GroupTGW Logistics GroupTGW Logistics Group is supplier of material handling equipment and automated storage and retrieval systems for warehousing, production, picking and distribution, headquartered in Wels, Austria. The company engineers, produces and installs material handling solutions in different sizes, from small...
- Wels-LandWels-LandBezirk Wels-Land is a district of the state ofUpper Austria in Austria.- Municipalities :Towns are indicated in boldface; market towns in italics; suburbs, hamlets and other subdivisions of a municipality are indicated in small characters.*Aichkirchen*Bachmanning*Bad...