Gmünd, municipality in Spittal an der Drau District, Carinthia, Austria
Gmünd is a small town in Spittal an der Drau District in Austria, located where the Lieser and Malta rivers meet. The town has narrow stone streets from medieval times, old buildings with shuttered windows, and sits surrounded by tall mountains and green hills.
Gmünd was founded in the 11th or 12th century, probably as a lookout post over trade routes, and received town rights in 1346, making it one of the oldest towns in the region. During the Middle Ages, fortifications and city walls were built for protection, and parts of them still stand today.
The name Gmünd comes from where the Lieser and Malta rivers meet, reflecting the town's geographic importance. The old town square and narrow lanes are places where local markets and festivals happen, letting visitors experience how residents still gather and celebrate together today.
The town is easy to walk through on foot and has bus stops that connect it to larger cities. Visitors can rent bikes to explore the surrounding valleys and hills, and there are inns and guesthouses for overnight stays.
Gmünd became closely connected to car designer Ferdinand Porsche from the second half of the 20th century, who manufactured early cars there. A small museum displays these vehicles and tells the story of this surprising link between this alpine town and automobile history.
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