In the city of Klagenfurt, southern Austria

 "It should be one’s sole endeavor to see everything afresh and create it anew."

-- Gustav Mahler
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(in southern Austria) The city of Klagenfurt lies along the Glan River in a basin east of Wörther Lake and north of the Karawanken Mountains. Founded in the 12th century and chartered in 1279, it passed to the Habsburgs in 1335. Since it was destroyed in a fire in 1514, most of its notable buildings date from the 16th century and have been influenced by Italian architects who had been called in to build fortifications. The city has been the capital of the state of Kärnten since 1518 and the seat of the prince-bishops of Gurk since 1787. Landmarks are the Dragon Fountain in the New Square, the 17th-century Town Hall, the Cathedral, the parish church, and the Landhaus, where the Diet of Kärnten still sits. The city is the site of the state museum, with folklore, Alpine, and natural-history annexes; the Diocesan Museum; and a state art gallery. The city is a communications and tourist center; its public sector employs a large portion of the working population.

+ Klagenfurt is quite a vibrant and sunny city with a compact Inner Stadt, offering easy access to lakeside villages on and around the beautiful Wörthersee, one of Europe’s largest and warmest Alpine lakes. At the city’s western limit is the wide green space of Europapark, along with Austria's largest bathing complex. It is quite a lively place, both as a playground for partiers down at the lido in summer, and as a university town the rest of the year. The city’s Mediterranean climate ensures pleasant summer days, sunny winters, colorful autumns, and mild springs. (Transport links also make it a great base for exploring the whole of Carinthia.)
+ Shaped by Italian architects, Klagenfurt is sometimes called the "Renaissance Gem." Today, the 800-year-old town features many restored palaces, courtyards, and squares. One of them is New Square (Neuer Platz), with the Lindworm Fountain in its center. Several museums provide insight into Carinthia's history and culture, like the Museum of Modern Art, the Provincial Museum, the Wappensal (Coat of Arms Hall), and the Landhaus Gallery.

+This small town has one of Austria's most historic centers and was awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Diploma three times for its lovingly restored arcaded Renaissance courtyards, which today accommodate modern boutiques, trendy bars, and authentic beer gardens.

+ Klagenfurt's ease and zest for life can be attributed to the city's Mediterranean influence. At the Benedictine farmers’ market, traders from all over Carinthia, the Italian Friuli region, and Slovenia gather to sell vegetables, cheeses, wines and herbs (a true declaration of love to the Alps-Adriatic region). Lake Wörthersee, the Alpine landscape and a vibrant cultural life form a harmonious trio in Carinthia’s capital, Klagenfurt. Even Gustav Mahler, who found a muse in the beauty of the surrounding landscape, was quite inspired by its lovely sound.