WHAT'S NEW!? #26 - VILLACH IN MAY 2023

The team of welcome2villach collects monthly the most important news from Villach city life in a compact "News Story" with links to further information. In May, Villach's swimming and hiking season starts,  this year also for four-legged friends, we welcome a new hotel in the city center, we also look forward to a fascinating 3D painting on the main square and exciting events!
 

• Summer can come: Villach's lidos and free lake accesses promise pure adventure. The season starts on May 1. The names of the lidos are new, so it is immediately clear what visitors can look forward to. In addition to the "Panorama Beach" at Lake Faak, there is now the "bikebeach" in St. Andrä at Lake Ossiach, the "naturebeach" at Lake Vassach, the "greenbeach" is the free former Tschebullbad, the lido at Egg defines itself as the "sunsetbeach", the free-to-use Silbersee, which is particularly popular with young people, is known as the "actionbeach" and the free lake access at Lake Magdalenen is known as the "relaxbeach". Also new are a modernized jetty and e-charging stations for cars and bikes at Panorama Beach, a lift at the jetty for the disabled, a children's playground and likewise charging stations at "sunsetbeach" and in St. Andrä at "bikebeach" the sanitary facilities are currently still being renewed, a new changing container installed and a waste area created. All further information about Villach's lidos can be found here.
   
• Silbersee becomes a dog-friendly zone: We have good news for Villach's four-legged friends. Many of the 3,400 dogs registered in Villach enjoy, just like us humans, the jump into the cold water. Until now, however, the opportunities for doing so have been very limited. The city of Villach would like to change this and starts this year at the west bank of the silver lake an attempt. Other accesses, which are also permitted for dogs, can be found at the outflow of Lake Ossiach at the height of Slatinweg and at Lake St. Leonhard.
   
• Successful Mehr-Wert-Frühling: This year's Mehr-Wert-Frühling was a complete success, because after only six days the Mehr-Wert-Frühling pot in the amount of € 100,000 was exhausted. In total, customers generated sales of € 491,000 and submitted 2,938 invoices. Now the € 100,000 earned can be redeemed in the form of Villach vouchers up to and including June 30.  
   
• New city center hotel: Carinthia's currently largest city center construction site, the so-called "Max Palais" in Bahnhofstraße, can report a first success. The associated hotel "harry's home" opens at the end of April. The remaining sections are scheduled for completion this fall. These include 100 condominiums, a nursing home, commercial space and an underground parking garage.

• 3D painting on the main square: Who can still remember the impressive 3D painting in front of the KärntenTherme? Starting on May 2, artist Gregor Wosik and his partner Daniela Löh will be bringing three motifs to Villach's Hauptplatz. The paintings, which will be applied with environmentally friendly paints, are to be completed within four days.
   
• Technology park is booming: one of the most up-and-coming business and research locations in Austria is located in Villach - the tpv Villach Technology Park has become a top address for business and high-tech companies in recent years. Recently, the city has drawn up a uniform partial development plan which, once it comes into force, will provide the framework for future company settlements. Already fixed are the settlement of the company WILD, a new training building as well as the completion of the new guidance system with a new entrance area, information steles and LED screens as signposts. 
   
• The summer in the nature park Dobratsch: Also, this summer the nature park Ranger:innen arranged a varied program with altogether 126 dates. The visitors can expect nature conservation topics such as butterfly and bat research, carriage rides, wine walks or astronomical night tours. The exciting program for young and old will be available here soon.
   
• New culture subscription: Every year, the team of the Villach culture department has put together a great program and you can look forward to exquisite events. From large symphonic orchestras to chamber music, musical theater and dance, there is something for everyone. Info on cultural and elective subscriptions is available here. 
   
• Lots of events: In May, "The Lake Rocks" festival will take place on Lake Faak for the second time. From May 18 to 21, Lake Faak will once again become a festival site with an extensive program. On May 2, Ernst Molden and Nino from Vienna will come to Villach's CCV - music enjoyment at its best guaranteed! You can get the last tickets here. On May 12, the Silbersee Opening will take place. On Whit Monday, May 29, the Villach Cycling Day with mountain time trial race on the Dobratsch will take place. Start is at 9:00 a.m. in the Alpenarena.