Wels (German: Wels) is a small traditional town in Austria on the banks of the Traun River. It is located in the western part of the country and belongs to the territory of federal lands of Upper Austria. It is the second largest city in the region – there are currently over 62 thousand inhabitants there.
History
A city named Ovilia or Ovilava was located on the territory of modern Wels during the period of the Roman Empire. It was a part of the province of Noricum and was one of its largest cities. The city lost its greatness after the fall of the Roman Empire.
However, the dukes of the ruling Babenberg family evaluated the strategic position of Wels in the 13th century and that is when it received city status again. Later it developed as a market and Wels Fairs were annually held there, bringing together thousands of Austrians.
Traditional Fairs
The tradition of holding fairs in Wels exists to this day. There are traditional Wels and International Agricultural Fairs being held annually on the territory of the city. Thanks to them, Wels gathers thousands of tourists.
Moreover, an international exhibition in the field of solar energy utilization named «Solar Energy Fair» is held there.
It is no coincidence. A scientific centre and a museum named Welios was built in the city several years ago. This centre is dedicated to the study of five main types of energy. Visitors can learn everything about electricity, renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency in the museum.
Tourist Attractions (Sights)
One of the most famous tourist attractions is an architectural ensemble of the 13th century, created with old houses that fence the perimeter of the main square of the city (German: Stadtplatz) and fortress gates. Previously, they belonged to merchants and wealthy guilds.
No less interesting historical sight is Wels Castle (German: Burg Wels), the first mention of which was in 776. Originally, it was made of wood and only by the 13th century it was rebuilt using stone as the main material. The city authorities bought the premises in 1937 and it was later given to the local history museum on exposition purposes. Presently, a cultural centre of Wels is housed within the castle walls.
The so-called Leather Tower (German: Ledererturm) is also one of the most famous sights of Wels. It is a medieval square tower of the 14th century, which is 37 meters high. The tower is the highest building in the city.
Wels’ Parish Church (German: Stadtpfarrkirche Wels) is one of the oldest churches in the city. Initially, a small chapel was built here (in 888), which was rebuilt into a Romanesque Basilica. It was reconstructed into a Gothic building in the 14th century. The church was refurbished for its 1000-year anniversary, which was the last major rebuilding in the 19th century.
Economy
A vast majority of working people of Wels are employed in the service sector. Most of the companies in this industry are involved in the commercial sector others work in social, public, financial and transport services. The second economic mainstay is manufacturing and processing industry. The industrial area of Wels is situated in the Pernau district. There are chemical production enterprises, furniture manufacturers, mechanical engineering enterprises and individual wholesale companies.
The importance of agriculture has decreased over the past few decades. There are only 80 farms within the area today, which cultivate more than 2000 hectares (ha) of land and raise 4000 heads of cattle and pigs.
Health care
The clinic of Wels-Grieskirchen (German: Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen https://www.klinikum-wegr.at) is the largest medical institution in Upper Austria. It was formed as a result of combining a Wels and Grieskirchen hospitals together.
There are about 3700 professionals working in the hospital, 470 of whom are doctors. The hospital has 25 departments, 12 institutions which are located in the four different areas. The total number of beds is 1349. More than 80 000 patients are treated and about 30 000 operations are annually performed there.
Education
In addition to kindergartens and secondary schools, there are three grammar schools in the city with a focus on natural Sciences, languages and sports, as well as Polytechnic School.
As for professional education, Wels has a professional school on economic specialties, two commercial academies, two technical colleges, and a vocational school «HTL Wels» with a focus on chemistry, electrical and mechanical engineering, mechatronics and information technologies. There is also a college of food processing technology, which is the only educational institution with that type of training in Austria.
The university has appeared only in 1994.
Sports
There are about 100 sports clubs of all sports fields in Wels, some of which are very successful.
WBC Raiffeisen Wels has been playing in Austria's top basketball division (Bundesliga) since the 2003/04 season. For the first time in this league in 2009, they managed to win the championship title.
SPG Walter Wels has been competing for the championship title in the top men's table tennis league for several years.
The men's team of Wels Jumpin’Chickens baseball club has been playing for four years in the Bundesliga, which is Austria's second major league. The International Chicken Trophy tournament is annually held at Maut Stadium.
The Budokan Centre for Far Eastern Martial Arts and Sports was created in 2006. The men's national team of the Multikraft Wels judo club competes in the Austrian National League.
The Football club FC Wels plays in the Upper Austria Football League, which is the fourth highest division in Austria.
The Wels’ Volleyball Club Sportunion McDonalds Supervolley Wels has been working with young talents for many years.
EC Wels, which was founded in 1980, is considered the most successful ice hockey club in Upper Austria.
The oldest sports club is Welser Turnverein, which was founded in 1862. It has about 2900 members and is also one of the largest clubs. Sports: gymnastics, track and field, tennis, basketball, swimming and volleyball. The club organizes the international Wels’ half-marathon and the international swimming competition Speedo every year.
There is Wels rowing club with about 100 members on the banks on the Traun River.
Places to visit
The Wels Puppet Museum is very fascinating. Its collection numbers at least 2,500 pieces.
There is an ornithological park in the suburb of Wels, with 350 bird species from different parts of the world.