Ceremonial opening of the new village square in Bad Kleinkirchheim!

Ceremonial opening of the new village square in Bad Kleinkirchheim!

On October 7th, 2025 the time had finally come: the new village square in Bad Kleinkirchheim was ceremoniously opened. The square is intended to act as a lively meeting place for locals, guests, second homes and employees and offers a platform to strengthen social interaction in the community. In a region heavily influenced by tourism, the creation of high-quality public space is of enormous importance. Small newspaper reports that the concept of the village square not only relies on year-round use, but also on the cooperation of all partners.

A highlight of the square is the new information point about the Nockberge Biosphere Park, which was set up directly opposite the tourism association. You can also visit weekly farmers markets and buy fresh local produce. The offer is complemented by creative collaboration with the Slow Food community. Another attraction is the impressive sculpture of Olympic champion Franz Klemm, which was specially designed for his 70th birthday. This sculpture by artist Egon Gruber welcomes visitors and symbolically connects the sports legend with the location. The QR code on the sculpture is particularly innovative, leading to a personal welcome film with a bracket.

Culture and community – a unifying concept

As with many creative projects, citizen participation plays a central role here. When planning the village square, workshops were held to take into account the needs of community residents. The entire project is part of a master plan for community development and was supported with lighthouse funding from the state of Carinthia. With a total cost of 2.4 million euros, it shows how seriously those responsible are taking the project. Mayor Matthias Krenn highlights the successful project management and emphasizes the goal of creating a cross-generational social core.

In addition, new formats such as “NockBeats” and “After Ski” are being planned to keep the community active all year round. My district mentioned that not only local celebrities but also numerous citizens were present during the opening ceremony. The children's choir from the Bad Kleinkirchheim elementary school, together with the “Blech Gröstl” brass band, provided the musical accompaniment to the event.

Public art as a means of identification

Public art, such as the sculpture of the famous ski athlete, plays a significant role in urban design. According to the findings of Learning city Art in public spaces not only promotes social cohesion, but also contributes to the cultural identity of a community. Interactive installations and murals transform often neglected areas into lively meeting places that strengthen citizen engagement.

The opening of the village square in Bad Kleinkirchheim not only marks a further step in the city's development, but also a sign of the shared path into the future. This initiative strengthens the sense of community and positions Bad Kleinkirchheim as an attractive destination for neighbors and tourists alike.