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Wels has more than 60.000 inhabitants and it counts to the bigger cities in Austria. It is situated in the federal state Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), north-central Austria. Wels lies along the Traun River at the foothills of the Eastern Alps. The site has been occupied since prehistoric times.

The Romans opened up the country, today’s Austria, by an extensive system of roads. Wels originated as the Roman Ovilava, capital of Noricum province. Many archaeological monuments and historical documents are attesting the great importance of this town. In the European Middle Ages it was a leading market town.

It is said throughout Europe that one cannot travel 10 kilometres without seeing the remains of at least one castle. This is more than true of Austria, where several races fought to secure their hard won heritage and grow into neighbouring lands to preserve their rights for the next generation.
Imperial Castle in Wels is in good condition, although it dates back to the ancient Normans and Vikings who settled the Upper Austria area. Origin dating from 776, the castle was enlarged in the 15^th century. The Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I died here in 1519. Today the castle operates as a museum.

Other notable landmarks include the Lederer Tower (1376) on the picturesque town square; the town hall (remodelled 1748); the late Gothic parish church with magnificent 14^th century stained-glass windows.

Nowadays, Wels holds a big annual fair called the Welser Messe. The town manufactures agricultural machinery, textiles, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and building materials.

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