Balzers and Vaduz, Liechtenstein

 

I'm cycling along the Rhine river and spot this castle. It's on the other side of the river in Balzers, Liechtenstein (population 4,600). The river is a natural border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

I cross the river and Gutenberg Castle looks pretty impressive up on a spit of elevated land. 

Standing below the castle I'm impressed by the sheer rock. Of course I gotta go up and check it out. 

Aw jeez, it's closed. Built in the 12th century, Gutenberg Castle was bought by the Liechtenstein government in 1979 to be used as an arts and culture center.  

View of surrounding area from Gutenberg Castle.

Another view of the surrounding area from Gutenberg Castle. 

Vaduz (population 5,600), is Liechtenstein's financial and government center. The building on the right is a government house and the orange building further along is the House of Parliament.

Liechtenstein, population 39,000, is Europe's fourth smallest country (Vatican City, San Marino and Monaco are smaller). It's roughly 12 miles long. I don't know why they built a House of Parliament as Hans Adam ll, Prince of Liechtenstein, is the ruler in this absolute monarchy and can nix anything parliament passes. 

Main shopping street in Vaduz. 

So, that's Vaduz Castle where Prince Hans-Adam ll lords over everybody and everything. The castle is a private residence and isn't open to the public. 

Another view of Vaduz Castle. The Prince of Liechtenstein is the world's sixth wealthiest monarch worth an estimated $3.5 billion.