1. Explore Villach Main Square
Straddling the River Drau and connected by several bridges, Villach’s old town center is one of the most picturesque in southern Austria. A good way to begin your Villach adventure – and certainly a great way to get your bearings, taking notes of places to visit later – is exploring the long Main Square (Hauptplatz). This attractive historic square cuts across the middle of the old town and is linked by the main bridge over the Drau at its northern end.
Highlights include the city’s parish church at the southern end of the square, and the Trinity Column from 1739 stands in the middle of this public space. The square also boasts a number of fine old merchant’s homes, some with attractive old courtyards. Among the most interesting are the Alte Post and the 16th-century Paracelsus Hof.
The Main Square is also a popular place for shopping expeditions. Here, you’ll find a wide variety of fine boutique stores and galleries, along with some of the leading big brands in fashion. Afterwards, grab a table and sit back and watch the world go by in one of the many pleasant cafés and restaurants located here, some of which offer patio seating.
Location: Hauptplatz, Old Town, Villach, Austria
2. Parish Church of St. Jakob
Just a three-minute stroll from the Hauptplatz, the historic Parish Church of St. Jakob (Stadtpfarrkirche St. Jakob) makes for an easy first stop on your Villach travel itinerary. This three-aisled, 14th-century Gothic hall church is notable for its narrow choir and 95-meter-tall tower linked to the main building by an arched gateway. A highlight of your visit should be making the climb up the tower’s 239 steps for the excellent views over the old town.
Interior highlights include the splendid Baroque canopied altar from 1740 with its large early-16th-century Gothic crucifix. There’s also a huge fresco of St. Christopher, also from 1740, that’s worth seeing. The church’s oldest artifacts include a stone pulpit from 1555 and, in the baptistery, a Gothic font and choir stalls from 1464.
Address: Oberer Kirchenpl. 9, 9500 Villach, Austria
