Vorarlberg Land Archive, Bregenz

Founded in 1898, the Vorarlberg Land Archive preserves the region’s written history. Its holdings reach much further back and include more than 10,000 medieval charters. The oldest document, dated 974, is a deed issued by Emperor Otto II granting land in the Walgau to the monastery of Einsiedeln. Many other records date from the Late Middle Ages, with some from the 11th and 12th centuries, showing how land was managed, how decisions were taken, and how communities evolved.

The archive also preserves parish registers, court records, old maps, photographs, and files from monasteries and regional authorities. Parish registers, known as Matriken, are key sources for family research, recording baptisms, marriages, and deaths before civil registration. Because the original books often remained in local parishes, researchers usually consult microfilm or digital copies. Old cadastral maps show how land and property were divided in the past.

Since 1993, the archive has been housed in a purpose-built building designed by Graser and Priesner. The building follows a passive design that keeps temperature and humidity stable, helping protect paper and parchment. Visitors can work in the reading room with staff support, and many records are also available online through regional map and church record platforms.