Spittal an der Drau

Spittal an der Drau is the economic and cultural center of Upper Carinthia. Located at the intersection of alpine valleys, the settlement developed since the 12th century under the noble influence of aristocratic families from across Europe. By the end of the 19th century, crafts and agriculture, along with the beginnings of industry, had almost equal importance. The authors trace the development from market to city from 1900 to around 1960 through snapshots of the daily lives of the residents. The evolution of the urban living space, the fate of its inhabitants, and the necessary adaptation to new technological developments and conditions led to a rapid societal change, with a particular focus on cultural development. Hartmut Prasch and Jörg Wolfgang Herzog have compiled a wealth of images and information from private collections and public archives, allowing for the rediscovery of the familiar as well as the revival of long-forgotten aspects.