Rattenberg

Rattenberg (Bavarian: Råttnberg) is a town on the Inn River in the Austrian state of Tyrol near Rattenberg mountain and Innsbruck. With just 400 inhabitants and a surface area of 10 ha, it is the smallest city in the country.

This article is about the town in Austria. For the town in Bavaria, Germany, see Rattenberg, Bavaria.
Rattenberg

Råttnberg
Rattenberg
Coat of arms
Location within Kufstein district
Rattenberg
Location within Austria
Coordinates: 47°26′20″N 11°53′36″E
CountryAustria
StateTyrol
DistrictKufstein
Government
 • MayorBernhard Freiberger (FPÖ)
Area
 • Total0.11 km2 (0.04 sq mi)
Elevation
521 m (1,709 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total411
 • Density3,700/km2 (9,700/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6240
Area code+43 5337
Vehicle registrationKU
Websitewww.rattenberg.at

Geography

The proximity of a mountain to the south of the town means that Rattenberg, like many villages nested in steep sided valleys throughout the Tyrol region of the Alps, receives no direct sunlight for much of the winter. It is one of the few places at a significant southerly latitude that experiences a prolonged period without direct sunlight (another is Viganella, Italy), although the sky remains bright while the town is in the mountain's shadow so there is no permanent darkness or 'polar night' as experienced north of the Arctic Circle.

History

Founded in the 14th century, it was built in the literal shadow of Rat Mountain to protect itself from marauders. Maximilian I had the original town citadel expanded to a formidable fortress.[3]

The modern era

In November 2005, the town announced they were building 30 specialized rotating mirrors called heliostats to reflect sunlight into parts of the town during the winter months. The $2.4 million operation was suggested by Bartenbach Lichtlabor GmbH, a lighting design company. The EU planned to foot half the bill as of November 2005. However, the project was never implemented.

Population
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1869679—    
1880727+7.1%
1890737+1.4%
1900752+2.0%
1910711−5.5%
1923701−1.4%
1934742+5.8%
1939676−8.9%
1951879+30.0%
1961745−15.2%
1971652−12.5%
1981590−9.5%
1991526−10.8%
2001436−17.1%
2011405−7.1%

Economy

Rattenberg has been known for its glass making. Its abundance of crystal glass shops continue the tradition of craftsmanship.[4]

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gollark: No, it was constructing other isomorphisms to bee.
gollark: ↑ objectively right
gollark: ```cint main() {printf("constructing isomorphism to bee");bool safety = 4;if (safety) {printf("rust"); }exit((long)2.142); }```
gollark: Oh, you're talking about the superior method of no indentation except on block end/start characters ({}).

See also
  • Rjukan, Norway and Viganella, Italy - other valley settlements that endure a prolonged lack of direct winter sunlight.

References
  1. "Dauersiedlungsraum der Gemeinden Politischen Bezirke und Bundesländer - Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. "Einwohnerzahl 1.1.2018 nach Gemeinden mit Status, Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. Chizzali. Tyrol: Impressions of Tyrol. (Innsbruck: Alpina Printers and Publishers), p. 2
  4. Chizzali, p. 42


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