
Lienz, a medieval town in the Austrian state of Tyrol, has been settled since the Bronze Age, around 2000 BC. The area was occupied twice by French troops in 1797 during the Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars. After the Austrian defeat at the Battle of Austerlitz, Lienz was passed to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1805. In 1809, it became the administrative centre of a district within the Napoleonic Illyrian Provinces, but Austrian troops reconquered it in 1813. The town is located at the confluence of the rivers Isel and Drava in the Eastern Alps, between the Hohe Tauern mountain range in the north and the Gailtal Alps in the south.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date founded | Settled since the Bronze Age, about 2000 BC |
| Location | Between the rivers Isel and Drava in the Eastern Alps |
| Climate | Humid continental, with warm and humid summers and cold winters |
| Altitude | 673 metres above sea level |
| Average temperature in July | 7.0 °C (44.6 °F) |
| Average temperature in January | -5.2 °C (22.6 °F) to 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) |
| Average annual sunshine | 1952 hours |
| Administrative status | Administrative centre of the Lienz district in Tyrol, Austria |
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What You'll Learn

The area has been settled since the Bronze Age (c. 2000 BCE)
The area of Lienz, Austria, has been settled since the Bronze Age (c. 2000 BCE). The town is located at the confluence of the rivers Isel and Drava in the Eastern Alps, between the Hohe Tauern mountain range in the north and the Gailtal Alps in the south. The old town of Lienz stretches along the banks of the Isel River, with the 16th-century Liebburg Palace overlooking the Hauptplatz (Main Square).
Lienz has a rich history, having been occupied by various powers over the centuries. During the French Revolutionary Wars, it was occupied by French troops in 1797. After the Austrian defeat at the Battle of Austerlitz, Lienz became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. In 1809, it became the administrative centre of a district within the Napoleonic Illyrian Provinces, but was later reconquered by Austrian troops in 1813.
Lienz played a role in both World Wars. After World War I, the southern parts of Tyrol were awarded to the Kingdom of Italy, making the Lienz district of East Tyrol an exclave of Austria. During World War II, Lienz became part of Reichsgau Kärnten (Carinthia) after the Anschluss of Austria into Nazi Germany. In 1945, it was occupied by British forces and became part of the British occupation zone.
Today, Lienz is a popular tourist destination, known for its sunny climate, skiing regions, and historic sites. It is also a hub for woodcarving, with many local artisans practicing this traditional craft.
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French troops occupied Lienz in 1797
Lienz, a medieval town in the Austrian state of Tyrol, was occupied twice by French troops in 1797 during the Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars. The French occupation of Lienz was part of a larger military strategy against Austria, which called for a three-pronged invasion to surround Vienna and force the Holy Roman Emperor to accept French Revolutionary territorial integrity. The French military planners believed that the best route to Vienna was through Germany, not Italy, so they focused their forces on the Rhine.
The French occupation of Lienz in 1797 was preceded by the Rhine campaign of 1796, which lasted from June 1796 to February 1797. During this campaign, two First Coalition armies under the command of Archduke Charles outmaneuvered and defeated two French Republican armies. Despite this setback, the French continued their advance towards Austria. In January 1797, the Austrian defeat at the Battle of Rivoli allowed Napoleon to capture an Austrian relief column near Mantua, and the city itself soon surrendered to the French.
Following the Battle of Rivoli, the French advanced to Judenburg, within 161 km of Vienna. The Austrians agreed to a five-day truce, and on April 18, 1797, Austria and France agreed to an armistice. This led to five months of negotiations, culminating in the Peace of Campo Formio on October 18, 1797, which ended the War of the First Coalition. Despite the peace treaty, both groups continued to build their military strength, and in 1798, the War of the Second Coalition began.
The French occupation of Lienz in 1797 was part of a broader campaign of French military expansion during the French Revolutionary Wars. The French also occupied the Ionian Islands in 1797, instituting a new democratic regime and annexing the islands to France. Napoleon's ambitions in the Eastern Mediterranean led to his invasion of Egypt, and he sent troops to occupy the Ionian Islands as a critical stepping stone to this goal. The French occupation of these islands aroused the enmity of the Ottoman and Russian Empires, and a joint Russo-Ottoman campaign was launched against them in 1798.
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In 1805, Lienz became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria
Lienz, a medieval town in the Austrian state of Tyrol, has a long and complex history. The area of Lienz has been settled since the Bronze Age, around 2000 BCE. Over the centuries, it has been occupied and ruled by various different powers, including the Romans, the Slavs, the Bavarians, the French, and the British.
Under Bavarian rule, Lienz underwent administrative changes. In 1809, it became the administrative centre of a district within the short-lived Napoleonic Illyrian Provinces. This period of Napoleonic rule left an indelible mark on the region's history, reshaping its administrative structure and integrating it into the broader Napoleonic Empire. However, this Napoleonic rule was short-lived, as Lienz was reconquered by Austrian troops in 1813, restoring Austrian sovereignty over the region.
The Peace of Pressburg, which included the transfer of Lienz to Bavaria, was a direct consequence of Austria's defeat at the hands of Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz in December 1805. This battle, fought in the present-day Czech Republic, resulted in a decisive French victory and significantly weakened the Austrian forces. As a result, Austria was forced to sign the Treaty of Pressburg, ceding various territories, including Lienz, to Napoleon's allies.
The Kingdom of Bavaria, which acquired Lienz as part of this treaty, was a critical player in the Napoleonic era. It was ruled by the House of Wittelsbach, which had a complex relationship with Napoleon. While Bavaria initially supported Napoleon, tensions arose as Napoleon's demands and incursions into Bavarian territories increased. By 1813, Bavaria found itself at war with Austria, and in 1814, it signed a secret treaty with Austria, effectively switching sides. Thus, the Kingdom of Bavaria, and Lienz by extension, experienced a dynamic and tumultuous period during the Napoleonic era.
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In 1918, Lienz was occupied by the Italian Army
Lienz, a picturesque town in Austria, nestled amid stunning mountain ranges, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The town's origins can be traced to the Roman Empire, when it was a significant settlement known as Aguntum, founded around 50 BC. However, the story of Lienz took a notable turn during the turbulent events of the First World War, particularly in the year 1918.
At that time, the Italian Army had set its sights on expanding its territory and establishing dominance in the region. With the war raging across Europe, Lienz suddenly found itself in the crosshairs of the Italian ambitions. In 1918, the Italian Army marched into Lienz, not as friendly visitors but as occupiers. The town and its surrounding areas became subject to Italian rule, and the lives of the local populace were drastically altered.
The Italian occupation of Lienz was a direct consequence of the broader political and military strategies of the time. Italy, which had joined the Allied Powers during the war, sought to secure new territories and exert influence in the region. The occupation was not without challenges and resistance, however. Local residents, though accustomed to peaceful coexistence, now had to adapt to the realities of military rule and the imposition of Italian laws and regulations.
Life under Italian occupation was a stark contrast to the tranquil existence that Lienz had previously enjoyed. Italian soldiers patrolled the streets, enforcing their authority and maintaining order according to their own codes and practices. The local culture and traditions of Lienz temporarily took a back seat as Italian customs and language became the norm. The occupation also brought economic and social changes, with new businesses and administrative systems being introduced.
During this period, Lienz experienced a unique blend of Italian and Austrian influences. While the Italian Army held military control, the town's deep-rooted Austrian heritage could not be erased. It is important to note that the occupation was temporary, and Lienz eventually returned to Austrian rule after the political and territorial adjustments that followed the First World War. Nonetheless, the period of Italian occupation left an indelible mark on the town's history, adding a fascinating layer to its complex narrative.
In conclusion, the Italian Army's occupation of Lienz in 1918 was a significant event that disrupted the peaceful fabric of this Austrian town. It serves as a reminder of the fragile nature of peace and the complex dynamics of European history. Despite the challenges and changes brought about by the occupation, Lienz persevered, and its resilience is a testament to the strength of its community and the enduring spirit of its people.
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In 1945, British forces occupied Lienz
Lienz, a medieval town in the Austrian state of Tyrol, has been occupied several times throughout its history. In 1945, British forces occupied Lienz, which became part of the British occupation zone, along with Carinthia and Styria.
On May 8, 1945, British troops entered Lienz, which had been a part of Reichsgau Kärnten (Carinthia) since the 1938 Anschluss of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany. This occupation was part of the post-World War II Allied occupation of Austria. The British were preceded by American troops, who crossed the Austrian border on April 26, and French troops, who arrived on April 29.
In the lead-up to the British occupation, thousands of members of the former Wehrmacht 1st Cossack Division arrived in Lienz from Yugoslavia. They surrendered to the British troops but were forcibly handed over to the Soviet Union, where most were executed or sent to the Gulag. This handover was part of a broader context of tension between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, with many German soldiers seeking to surrender to Western forces to avoid falling into Soviet captivity.
Lienz's occupation by British forces in 1945 was a significant event in the town's history, marking the end of World War II and the beginning of the Allied occupation of Austria. The occupation had a direct impact on the town's population, with the surrender and subsequent handover of the Cossack troops, as well as the broader political and military dynamics of the time.
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Frequently asked questions
The exact date of Lienz's founding is unclear, but the area has been settled since the Bronze Age, around 2000 BCE.
Lienz is known for being one of the sunniest places in Austria, its medieval architecture, and its skiing regions.
Lienz has a lot to offer tourists, including skiing and hiking, a wildlife park, and historical sites such as Tammerburg Castle and Bruck Castle.






































