Wels ( German: Wels ) is an old Austrian city in the north-west of the country, the second largest city in the federal state of Upper Austria after Linz . The population is 56,478 people according to the 2001 census .
| City | |||
| Wels | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| him. Wels | |||
| |||
| A country |  Austria | ||
| Federal land | Upper austria | ||
| Burgomaster | Andreas Rabel | ||
| History and Geography | |||
| City with | 1222 | ||
| Square | 45.92 km² | ||
| Center height | 317 m | ||
| Timezone | UTC + 1 | ||
| Population | |||
| Population | 60 382 people ( 01/01/2016 ) | ||
| Digital identifiers | |||
| Telephone code | +43 7242 | ||
| Postcode | 4600 | ||
| Car code | WE | ||
| wels.at (German) | |||
Geography and transport
The city is located on the banks of the Traun River (a tributary of the Danube ), 30 kilometers southwest of Linz at an altitude of 317 meters above sea level. From north to south, the city extends for 9.5 kilometers; from west to east - 9.6 kilometers.
Vienna passes through Wels - Salzburg . In addition, railways and roads lead north - towards the border with Germany and the city of Passau .
History
Settlements in the vicinity of Wels have existed since the Neolithic . During the Roman Empire, the city on the site of modern Wels was named Ovilava and was one of the largest and most important cities in the province of Norik . After the collapse of the empire, Wels completely lost its significance, in 477 it was destroyed to the base by the Meruls .
In 1222, during the rule of the princes from the Babenberg family, Wels again received city rights. In the XIV - XV centuries began the rise of the city as a trade and fair center. The development of Wels went in parallel with the growth of neighboring Linz.
In 1519, Emperor Maximilian I died in Wels.
After the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire at the beginning of the 19th century, Wels was part of Austria.
Economics
From the Middle Ages to the present day, the tradition of holding large Welsh fairs every two years has been preserved. The Welsh Exhibition Center is the venue for numerous exhibitions.