Bezau Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Bezau

Coat of arms

Location in the district

Bezau

Location in Austria

Country

Area

• Total

34.41 km² (13.29 sq mi)

Elevation

650 m (2,130 ft)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

6870

Area code

05514

Vehicle registration

Website

www.bezau.at

Bezau is a charming town located in the Bregenz Forest region of western Austria. It's part of the Vorarlberg state and belongs to the Bregenz area. Bezau is a fantastic place for visitors all year round.

People love to visit Bezau because it's close to amazing ski resorts in winter. In warmer months, it offers beautiful hiking trails. The town also has a lovely church, built in 1906, dedicated to St. Jodok. You can also explore the local history museum, called Heimatmuseum. It's set up in a traditional wooden home from the Bregenz Forest, showing how people used to live.

About Bezau's Location
Bezau's Population Over Time
A Look at Bezau's History
- The Old Railway Line
- Bezau's Coat of Arms
Learning in Bezau
Bezau's Economy
Fun Things to See and Do
Bezau's Twin City
Famous People from Bezau
Photo gallery
See also

About Bezau's Location

Bezau covers an area of 34.42 square kilometers. This makes it one of the biggest towns in the middle of the Bregenz Forest. It's a great place to explore the natural beauty of the region.

Bezau's Population Over Time

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1869	979	—
1880	926	−5.4%
1890	923	−0.3%
1900	1,003	+8.7%
1910	1,140	+13.7%
1923	1,172	+2.8%
1934	1,295	+10.5%
1939	1,228	−5.2%
1951	1,468	+19.5%
1961	1,484	+1.1%
1971	1,559	+5.1%
1981	1,554	−0.3%
1991	1,708	+9.9%
2001	1,878	+10.0%
2011	1,975	+5.2%

The number of people living in Bezau has changed over many years. The table above shows how the population has grown since 1869.

A Look at Bezau's History

Bezau was first mentioned in official papers in 1249. Back then, it was called "Baezenowe." The town got its own church in 1497, which meant it could become an independent parish. This was an important step for the community.

In 1656, a Capuchin monastery was built in Bezau. Since 1806, Bezau has been an important legal center. It serves as a district court for the entire Bregenzerwald region.

The Old Railway Line

A special narrow-gauge railway, the Bregenzerwaldbahn, opened in 1902. This railway was 35.32 kilometers long. It connected Bregenz with Bezau. The railway was a vital link for the region until 1983.

Bezau's Coat of Arms

The town's official symbol, its coat of arms, has been used since 1929. It features a red background with a silver band across the middle. On this band, you can see a green spruce tree with its roots showing, surrounded by a bronze frame.

Learning in Bezau

Bezau has several schools for different age groups. There is a "Polytechnische Schule" and a primary school for younger students (grades 1-4). Older students attend a middle school (junior high, grades 5-8). There is also an upper secondary business school. This school offers training in business, economics, and tourism.

Bezau in winter

Bezau's Economy

Bezau has a strong farming community. There are 46 farms and 656 hectares of land used for agriculture. The town is also known for its cheese production.

The "Obere" dairy processes about 680,000 liters of milk each year.
The "Kriechere" dairy processes about 400,000 liters of milk annually. About 90% of this milk is used to make a special regional cheese called Bergkäse.
In 2013, another dairy opened as part of the Käsestraße Bregenzerwald. This is a special route that connects cheese producers in the region.

Besides farming and cheese, Bezau has many other businesses. There are 36 companies, 37 craft businesses, and 18 tourism companies. About 30 service providers also operate in the town. Around 360 people work in Bezau.

Fun Things to See and Do

Bezau offers many cultural events and interesting places to visit.

Weekly Market

From early June to late October, a weekly market takes place every Friday. You can find it in the Bezau village square. It's a great place to experience local life.

Bezau Beatz Music Festival

Bezau Beatz is an exciting annual music festival. It has been held in Bezau every August since 2008. The concerts happen in unique locations around town. These include the old depot of the Bregenz Forest Railway and an art forge. Sometimes, concerts are held in the St. Jodok Bezau parish church or the Panorama Restaurant Baumgarten.

Ride the Old Railway

Between May and October, you can ride 5 kilometers of the historic Bregenzerwaldbahn. This special museum railway is also known as the "Wälderbähnle." It connects Bezau to the nearby towns of Reuthe and Schwarzenberg.

Heimatmuseum Bezau

The Heimatmuseum Bezau is a local heritage museum. It's located in a typical Bregenzerwälder farm building. Visiting the museum gives you a glimpse into the traditional way of life in this region. You can see how people lived and worked long ago.

Bregenz Forest Walk

Bezau is part of the Bregenzerwald Umgang, also known as the Bregenz Forest Walk. This walking tour helps you learn about the architecture and community planning of 12 traditional villages in the Bregenzerwald. As you walk through different landscapes, you'll see public buildings, homes, and everyday objects. This tour gives you a full picture of the unique architectural styles of the Bregenzerwald throughout history.