Lendkanal, Protected heritage canal in Klagenfurt, Austria

Lendkanal is a four-kilometre artificial waterway running from Lake Wörthersee, near Schloss Maria-Loretto and the Lendspitz, to the Lendhafen by Klagenfurt's centre. It is about 40 metres wide, dug in 1527 and lined by an embankment that now carries Villacher Straße. Ten footbridges cross it, among them the Elisabethbrücke, built in 1856 by Domenico Venchiarutti and named after Empress Sisi.

Construction of the canal began in 1527 following a major city fire, initially built to supply water for fortifications and move building materials into the city. Over time it became an important trade route for moving goods and supplies.

The Steinerne Fischer statue at Lendhafen marks the tradition of selling fresh fish from Lake Wörthersee at the city market. It shows how fishing shaped the rhythm of daily life for Klagenfurt residents.

The waterway is easy to explore on foot, with walking paths running alongside it and multiple bridges connecting both sides at regular intervals. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer a more peaceful experience when nearby streets are quieter.

In the 16th century, Venetian gondoliers were hired to pilot cargo barges along this waterway, which transported goods throughout the city and region. This trade connection reveals how cosmopolitan Klagenfurt had become during that era.