Ferlach

Ferlach inside the district of Klagenfurt-Land in Carinthia is the southernmost town in Austria. It is known for its centuries-antique gunsmith way of life, a part of the Austrian intangible cultural heritage considering 2010. Ferlach was first mentioned as Vorelach in a 1246 deed, named after the encircling pine forests. The mountainous place is the web site of big iron ore deposits, ironworks and forging is documented since the fifteenth century. The relocation of the capital of the Duchy of Carinthia to nearby Klagenfurt under the rule of King Ferdinand I approximately 1529 decisively promoted the improvement of Ferlach as a centre of firearm manufacturing.

Under Empress Maria Theresa, its gunsmiths became the main armorers of the Habsburg Monarchy. Ferlach firearms have been also utilized by the Spanish, French and Turkish armies. The present-day municipality turned into hooked up as Oberferlach in 1850. Ferlach obtained city privileges in 1930 and today is a centre for the production of hunting rifles. The history of the city is depicted in its coat of hands: it features a pine tree with a cone, two crossed silver nails, and a rifle.