Kitzbühel

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The title of this article contains the character ü. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Kitzbuehel.

Coat of Arms	Map

General information
Federal State:	Tyrol
Bezirk:	Kitzbühel
Area:	58.02 km²
Population:	8574 (Census 2001)
Population density:	148/km²
Elevation:	762 m (2500 ft.)
Postal code:	A-6370
Area code:	+43 5356
Location:	47°27′N 12°24′E
Community Identification Number:	70411
Address of the City Hall:	Hinterstadt 20 6370 Kitzbühel
Website:	Stadtgemeinde Kitzbühel
e-mail:	stadtamt@kitzbuehel.at
Politics
Mayor:	Dr. Klaus Winkler (ÖVP)
Image: Kitzbühel by night

Kitzbühel is a medieval city in Tyrol, Austria, situated along the river Kitzbühler Ache. The geographical location is 47°27′N 12°24′E. It is the administrative center of the district (Bezirk) Kitzbühel.

Kitzbühel's average elevation is 762 meters (2500 ft.) above sea level. The municipality has a population of 8574 (May 2001) and a total area of 58.02 km².

1 History
2 People
3 Tourism
4 Transport
5 Twin towns
6 External links

[edit] History

The first known settlers, who surfaced between 1100 BC and 800 BC were Illyrians mining copper in the hills near Kitzbühel.

Around 15 BC the Roman Emperor Augustus occupied the Alps and proclaimed the province Noricum. After the fall of the western Roman Empire, Bavarii settled in the Kitzbühel region around 800 and started clearing forests.

In the 12th century the name Chizbuhel is mentioned for the first time in a document of the Chiemsee monastery. Chizzo relates to a Bavarii clan, Bühel describes the location of the settlement upon a hill.

Kitzbühel became part of Upper Bavaria in 1255. Louis II, Duke of Bavaria granted Kitzbühel the rights of a city on June 6, 1271, and it was fortified with mighty city walls. During the next centuries the city became a center of trade, grew steadily and never was affected by wars. So the city walls were razed at the level of the first floor and used for building new houses.

When Margarete Maultasch married Bavarii Duke Louis V the Brandenburger in 1342, Kitzbühel became part of Tyrol. After the Peace of Schärding 1369 it was given back to Bavaria. On June 30, 1504 Kitzbühel became part of Tyrol again when Austrian Emperor Maximilian conquered Kitzbühel and Kufstein.

Maximilian took mortgage on Kitzbühel, and so at the end of 16th century it came under the rule of the Counts of Lamberg. On May 1, 1840 Kitzbühel was given to the state of Austria in a ceremony.

The wars of the 18. and 19th century didn't reach the city, whereas some inhabitants participated in the Tyrolean rebellion against Napoleon. Kitzbühel once more became part of Bavaria after the Treaty of Pressburg, but was reunited with Tyrol after the fall of Napoleon, at the Congress of Vienna.

When Emperor Franz Joseph finally resolved the remaining constitutional uncertainties, and furthermore railway construction of the Salzburg-Tiroler-Bahn was finished in 1875, the city's trade and industry flourished. Also during World War I and World War II Kitzbühel was lucky to remain far from the areas of war.

[edit] People

Peter Aufschnaiter (1899-1973), mountaineer and geographer
Markus Gandler (1966-), cross-country skier
Christl Haas (1943-2001), alpine skier
Ernst Hinterseer (1932-), alpine skier
Hansi Hinterseer (1954-), alpine skier and singer
Hias Leitner (1935-), alpine skier
Anderl Molterer (1931-), alpine skier
Toni Sailer (1935-), alpine skier
Klaus Sulzenbacher (1965-), Nordic skier
Alfons Walde (1891-1958), expressionist painter and architect

[edit] Tourism

Historic center of Kitzbühel

A view of Kitzbuhel from the Hahnenkahmbahn Lift. Behind the city is Kitzbuheler Horn, which is another mountain for skiing.

Kitzbühel is one of Austria's best known and fanciest winter sport resorts, situated between the mountains Hahnenkamm (1712 m) and Kitzbühler Horn (1996 m). The Hahnenkamm is home of the annual world cup ski races, including the circuit's most important event, the downhill race on the famous Streif slope. During summer time Kitzbühel also hosts an ATP tennis tournament on clay, the Generali Open.

The Kitzbüheler Alpenrallye is an annual festival of historic automobiles. It was first held in 1988.

The city is also home to the historic Grand Hotel Kitzbühel, a private resort, training and conference facility owned and operated by the worldwide management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Access to the Grand Hotel is generally limited to members and alumni of the firm and their families.

A further sight is the 3S Aerial Tramway, the aerial tramway with the highest span in the world.

[edit] Transport

Highway B161, which connects St. Johann in Tirol with Mittersill, passes through Kitzbühel, intersecting here with highway B170 to Wörgl. Kitzbühel Hauptbahnhof, Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm, and Kitzbühel Schwarzsee are train stops at the Salzburg-Tiroler-Bahn.