Wörthersee: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Lake in the southern Austrian state of Carinthia}}

{|border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" bgcolor="#EBE085" align="right" style="margin-left:0.5em;"

{{Infobox lake

<!--!colspan="2" align="center" | '''Image'''-->

| name = Wörthersee <br> Lake Wörth

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| image = Poertschach Blick von Hoher Gloriette 11082013 344.jpg

|

| caption = Wörthersee near Pörtschach

|-

| image_bathymetry = Map at woerthersee.svg

!colspan="2" align=center bgcolor="#EBE085" | '''Data'''

| caption_bathymetry =

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| ___location = [[Carinthia]]

| Name: || '''Wörthersee'''

| coords = {{coord|46|37|30|N|14|09|00|E|type:waterbody_region:AT|display=inline,title}}

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| type =

|Location: || west of [[Klagenfurt]]

| inflow = Reifnitzbach, Pirkerbach

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| outflow = [[Glanfurt]]

|Area || 19.39 km²

| catchment = {{convert|162.23|km2|abbr=on}}

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| basin_countries = Austria

|maximum depth: || 85.2 m

| length = {{convert|16.5|km|abbr=on}}

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| width = {{convert|1.7|km|abbr=on}}

|Length: || 16.5 m

| area = {{convert|19.39|km2|abbr=on}}

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| depth = {{convert|42.1|m|abbr=on}}

|Tributaries: || ?

| max-depth = {{convert|85.2|m|abbr=on}}

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| volume =

|Distributaries: || ?

| residence_time = 10.5 years

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| shore =

|Elevation above [[sea level]]: || 439 m

| elevation = {{convert|439|m|abbr=on}}

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

| islands = Schlangeninsel, Kapuzinerinsel

|Bigger cities: || [[Maria Wörth]], [[Pörtschach]]

| cities = [[Klagenfurt]], [[Velden am Wörther See|Velden]], [[Pörtschach am Wörthersee|Pörtschach]], [[Krumpendorf]], [[Maria Wörth]]

|-bgcolor="#FFFFFF"

<!-- Map -->

|Notes: || largest lake of Carinthia

| pushpin_map = Austria

|}

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the lake in Austria.

| pushpin_map_caption =

<!-- Below -->

| website =

| reference =

}}

'''Wörthersee''' ({{IPA|de|ˈvœʁtɐˌzeː|-|De-Wörthersee.ogg}}; [[Slovene language|Slovene]]: ''Vrbsko jezero'', {{langx|en|Lake Wörth}}<ref>Likens, Gene E. 1975. Primary Productivity of Inland Aquatic Ecosystems. In: Helmut Lieth & Robert H. Whittaker (eds.), ''Primary Productivity of the Biosphere'', pp. 185–202. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, p. 191.</ref><ref>Steinberg, Michael. 1995. ''The Symphony: A Listener's Guide''. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 324.</ref><ref>Tesch, F. W. 1977. ''The Eel: Biology and Management of Anguillid Eels''. Transl. Jennifer Greenwood. London: Chapman and Hall, p. 195.</ref>) is a lake in the southern [[Austria]]n [[States of Austria|state]] of [[Carinthia]]. The [[bathing lake]] is a main [[tourism|tourist]] destination in summer.

==Geography==

The '''Wörthersee''' is an alpine lake in the [[Austria]]n southern province of [[Carinthia]].

[[File:Blick vom ehemaligen Aussichtsturm am Pyramidenkogel Richtung Klagenfurt.jpg|thumb|left|View from [[Pyramidenkogel]]]]

Wörthersee is Carinthia's largest lake. It is elongated, about {{convert|16.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|1.5|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide, and stretches from the outskirts of the Carinthian capital [[Klagenfurt]] in the east to the bay of [[Velden am Wörther See|Velden]] in the west. Situated within the Klagenfurt Basin, its shores are flanked to the north and south by the foothills of the [[Gurktal Alps]] and the [[Karawanks]] range, all covered with dense forests beyond which snow-capped Alpine peaks are visible. The lake's water is of a distinctive blue-green colour and transparent.

Lake Wörth and its basin in the central Carinthian foothills were largely formed by [[glaciers]] during the last [[ice age]]. The lake is divided into three basins by several islands and peninsulas. The western basin stretches from Velden to [[Pörtschach]], the central basin from Pörtschach to [[Maria Wörth]] and the eastern basin from Maria Wörth to Klagenfurt. Numerous brooks flow into the lake; its sole outlet is the [[Glanfurt]] river in the east, eventually flowing into the [[Drava]] (Drau) river via the [[Glan (Gurk)|Glan]] and [[Gurk River|Gurk]] tributaries.

The lake is of elongated shape, about 20 km long and 1-2 km wide, streching from the Carinthian capital [[Klagenfurt]], at its Eastern end to [[Velden]] at its Western end. It it flanked to the north and south by steep alpine foothills overgrown with dense coniferous forests, beyond which snow-capped alpine peaks are visible. The lakes' water is of a very distictive blue-green coulour, very transparent and of high purity.

The northern shore is densely built up with the main [[resort]] towns of [[Krumpendorf]], Pörtschach, and Velden. The [[Süd Autobahn]] motorway and a railway mainline occupy the narrow space between the steep hills and the shore. The southern shore is quieter and less developed.

In the early nineteenth century the marshy lake shores were home only to a handful of poor peasants. The building of the southern railway line in the middle of the nineteenth century quickly turned the Wörthersee into an exclusive summer retreat for [[Vienna]]'s nobility.

[[File:WoertherseeWinterIce.jpg|thumb|left|In winter the lake sometimes freezes.]]

The water surface ([[epilimnion]]) can reach up to 25&nbsp;°C in summer. In winter, the region is often covered by snow and approximately every 10 years the lake freezes over, attracting numerous ice skaters. Lake Wörth's fauna is dominated by fish typically found in alpine lakes. The most common species are the [[northern pike|pike]] (''Esox lucius'') and the [[common whitefish]] (''Coregonus lavaretus'').

==Etymology==

The sunny mediterranean climate and clean, warm water make it a popular tourist destination in summer. Although it has been called Austria's Monte Carlo, in recent years tourism around the Woerthersee has suffered from tough competition from package holidays to cheaper overseas destinations. As a response a number of local businesses have tried to focus on niches such as high quality tourism, family tourism or golf and horse-riding vacations.

First mentioned as ''Werdse'' in an 1143 deed, the lake's name originates from the islands in the lake, most notably Maria Wörth, a peninsula since the building of the Glanfurt outlet in 1770. Other islands are Schlangeninsel and Kapuzinerinsel; the former island of Maria Loretto is today also a peninsula. Until the 19th century the lake was called "Werdersee" (cf. [[Old High German]] ''weride'': "island" or "[[ait]]"), i.e. "Island Lake", but also Klagenfurt Lake or Velden Lake (as in Slovene: ''Vrbsko jezero'').

==Tourism==

Most tourists visit the Lake in the months of July and August when water temperatures reach 25°C. A large proportion of vistors return every summer and some own or rent holiday homes along the shore. The vast majority of visitors comes from Vienna, northern Germany and the Netherlands.

[[File:Velden Schloss 05.jpg|thumb|Velden Castle]]

In the early 19th century the marshy shores were home only to a handful of poor peasants. The opening of the [[Austrian Southern Railway]] line (''Südbahn'') to Klagenfurt in 1863, later extended to [[Villach]] along the northern shore, quickly turned the Wörthersee into an exclusive summer retreat for [[Vienna]]'s nobility and wealthy bourgeoisie. Especially Velden and Pörtschach developed to main tourist resorts.

Up to today, the Mediterranean climate and the clean, warm waters make Lake Wörth a popular tourist destination in summer. Although the region around the lake has been termed "Austria's Monte Carlo", in recent decades tourism around Lake Wörthersee has suffered from tough competition from [[package holiday]]s to cheaper overseas destinations. As a response a number of local businesses have tried to focus on niches such as high quality tourism, family tourism or golf and horse-riding vacations.

The northern shore is densly built-up and bustling with activity in summer. Amongst shops, bars, hotels, and holiday homes major traffic arteries (motorway and railway mainline) occupy the narrow space between the steep hills and the shore. Main towns are [[Krumpendorf]], [[Poertschach]] and [[Velden]] Property prices along the waterfront, which is almost totally inaccessible to the non-paying public (apart from a number of public beaches), are among the highest in Europe. The lake itself is a perfect place for swimming and relaxing on the beach, though most visitors pursue other outdoor sports in the region. The chronic lack of wind makes sunbathing a pleasant experience, but any serious sailing a virtual impossibility.

Most tourists visit the Lake in the months of July and August when water temperatures reach 25&nbsp;°C. A large proportion of visitors return every summer and some own or rent holiday homes along the shore. The vast majority of visitors come from Vienna, northern [[Germany]] and the [[Netherlands]].

The southern shore is a lot quieter and less developed. A number of German millionaires have decided to build their mansions along here. The historic town of [[Maria Woerth]] is probably one of the prettiest places on the lake. Most of the southern shore is however tainted by the ugly sight and day-and-night noise of the motorway running along the hills on the opposite side of the lake. Originally planned in a less populated valley 20 km to the south, local authorities lobbied for the building of the motorway along the lake in the 70s, a blunder which is deeply regretted by locals and tourists today.

The largest [[Volkswagen]] and [[Audi]] car show in Europe, the ''Wörthersee GTI-Treffen'' (in English, "Wörthersee Meeting" or simply "Wörthersee"), has been held in the lakeside town of Reifnitz (usually in May) every year from 1982 to 2021 (the 2022 event was cancelled due to the organisational problems). The municipality have announced in February 2023 that no ''GTI-Treffen'' would be permitted anymore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.woertherseetreffen.at/ |title=Medieninformation der Gemeinde Maria Wörth / Wörthersee |lang=de |accessdate=24 November 2024 |date=February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://de.motor1.com/news/652478/woerthersee-gti-treffen-geschichte-aus/ |title=Wörthersee: Das GTI-Treffen ist endgültig Geschichte |lang=de |first=Roland |last=Hildebrtandt |date=14 February 2023 |accessdate=24 November 2024}}</ref> The organisers issued the statement: "the effects of climate change, the responsibility of political decision-makers for the preservation of ecosystems, and the need to align actions at all levels according to the principles of sustainability make it necessary to place the future design under new premises. On the basis of these considerations, we can state the municipality of Maria Worth will no longer host any conventional major automotive events in the next few years."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://carbuzz.com/news/the-iconic-volkswagen-gti-treffen-at-worthersee-has-come-to-an-end/ |title=The Iconic Volkswagen GTI-Treffen At Worthersee Has Come To An End |first=Sebastian |last=Cenizo |work=Car Buzz |date=15 February 2023 |accessdate=24 November 2024}}</ref>

In winter, the region is often under a cover of snow and in state of deep hybernation as there are no ski resorts nearby. Every 10 years or so the Wörthersee freezes over and becomes crowded with ice-skaters.

==Transportation==

[[de:Wörthersee]]

The ''[[Süd Autobahn|A2 Süd Autobahn]]'' motorway ([[International E-road network|European Route E66]]) from Vienna to Italy passes along the northern side of the lake, as does the ''[[Bundesstraße|B83 Kärntner Straße]]'' highway connecting Klagenfurt with Villach and the ''Südbahn'' railway line from [[Vienna]] to [[Venice]]. There is also a cycle path along the northern shore. In summer, passenger boats connect the largest settlements. The number of private [[speedboat]]s is strictly limited by a quota system to limit the environmental damage and hazard to swimmers.

==References==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Commons-inline|Wörthersee}}

{{wikivoyage-inline|Wörthersee}}

* [http://www.kis.ktn.gv.at/188551_EN-Carinthian_Lakes-Seenseite.?seeid=46 Information from the Carinthian Institute of Limnology]

{{Lakes of Carinthia (state)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Worthersee}}

[[Category:Lakes of Carinthia]]

[[Category:Mountain lakes]]

[[Category:Klagenfurt]]