Photos of Liechtenstein
With no major landmarks or significant natural wonders, you need to look for the little things in Liechtenstein. A grand metal tower on the banks of a river or ancient ruins from a civilisation past – you won’t find them in this tiny country. It’s sometimes hard enough for Liechtenstein to define its identity itself, an almost insignificant piece of land caught between the cultural powerhouses of Austria and Switzerland. It’s even harder for a visitor to find anything that stands out as uniquely local.
And so it’s the small things that take on a disproportional importance. It’s the water fountains by the side of the road; the wooden statues in front of buildings; the public art displayed on walls of churches; the roads that seem to lead nowhere but to impenetrable mountains; and the public squares that appear empty except for the after-school rush of cake-eating children.
To appreciate Liechtenstein, you need to move slowly and look for the details. Hidden in these subtle attempts at individuality are the clues to unlocking this country. The nation is hemmed in on either side by the tall white-capped Alps and what is born here in the valle of Liechtenstein is hard to take away.
I wrote earlier this week about walking across Liechtenstein and my first impressions of the country. Now it’s time to go a bit deeper. Here is a collection of photos from the country which, together, starts to build a bigger image of a small landscape.
Mary @ Green Global Travel |
You have chosen a wonderfully eclectic selection of images and it’s brilliant to know that they were collected as you sauntered slowly across in only two short days! I love that you captured this extraordinary covered bridge in the prices!
Michael Turtle |
It was so much easier to collect the photos while I slowly walked along. I wish I could do it for more countries. It is so much better than just jumping between the big cities. It’s the rural areas that sometimes give you the best insight into what makes a country unique.
Sabina |
Adorável! fiquei encantada…
Alouise |
Liechtenstein looks like a lovely little country (pun intended).
Michael Turtle |
It is very pretty. I guess it’s got the perfect location between a river and mountains – plus there’s no major development. They’re the things that make this part of the world so scenic.
Armchair Traveler |
Turtle, this reminds me of an episode of “The Amazing Race” a while back. One leg was spent in Lichtenstein (on a day trip from Switzerland, I think), and the main task involved riding a moped the entire length of the country and reporting the distance. Of course, some of the contestants had to do it more than once, but you can, there!
Michael Turtle |
Ha – what a cool challenge. I don’t think it would take that long to ride across it, even in a moped. And there’s pretty much just one straight road that goes the whole way. The incredible thing is that some people got it wrong. How could they possibly stuff that up?!
Ruth |
These pictures bring back memories. About ten years ago, I visited Liechtenstein but didn’t take any photos (I wasn’t into taking photos at that time). I did paid 3 euros to get my passport stamped and I think it was the prettiest stamp I had in my old passport (the stamp is a crown).
Jennifer |
Liechtenstein is a beautiful little country! I’d like to do some hiking there.
joy tarter |
my daughter in law is a lincehnstein from west Virginia we would like more information on the name and history of them and the place or area they derived form.
thank you