Balzers

Balzers is a town and community located in southern Liechtenstein. As in 2014, the community has a total population of 4,587. The main part of the village is situated along the east bank of the Rhine.History and CultureHistorically, the present-day form of the village consists of two different villages, the actual Balzers in the east and Mäls in the west. Not visible to the unaware, the division still persists in the local village culture, where it manifests in half-serious local competition. Some customs, such as the "Funken" a springtime ritual with pre-Christian origins involving a huge bonfire, are still being practised by each separately. The two parts were first mentioned in 842 as Palazole.Balzers is the home of the Burg Gutenberg, a 12th-century castle which is located on a rocky hill in the center of the town.TransportHeliportThere is no airport in Liechtenstein, but Balzers has a small heliport available for charter flightsEconomyOerlikon BalzersThe headquarters of the major thin film coating, solar and vacuum technology company Oerlikon Balzers is located in Balzers.Twin towns and sister cities Saitama, Japan (2000)