Kapfenberg ([ˈkapfənbɛʁk]), with 22,182 inhabitants in 2023, is the third largest city in Styria, Austria, and lies in the valley of the Mürz near the town of Bruck an der Mur. The town's landmark is Burg Oberkapfenberg. Every year in June, the Ritterfest ("knights' festival") takes place at the castle, which is one of the largest events of its kind in Austria.

Kapfenberg
Overview of the outskirts of Kapfenberg in Styria, Austria
Overview of the outskirts of Kapfenberg in Styria, Austria
Flag of Kapfenberg
Coat of arms of Kapfenberg
Kapfenberg is located in Austria
Kapfenberg
Kapfenberg
Location within Austria
Coordinates: 47°26′N 15°17′E / 47.433°N 15.283°E / 47.433; 15.283
CountryAustria
StateStyria
DistrictBruck-Mürzzuschlag
Government
 • MayorFriedrich Kratzer (SPÖ)
Area
 • Total
82.08 km2 (31.69 sq mi)
Elevation
502 m (1,647 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total
22,798
 • Density280/km2 (720/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC 1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 2 (CEST)
Postal code
8605
Area code03862
Vehicle registrationBM
Websitewww.kapfenberg.at

Kapfenbergs main employer is the steel manufacturer voestalpine. The town has a swimming complex, a football stadium (Franz Fekete Stadium) used by the club Kapfenberger SV, and an ice rink. The Kapfenberg Bulls is a team in the Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga, the highest professional basketball league in Austria.

In 1970, Kapfenberg hosted the European Team Chess Championship, which was won by the Soviet Union.

Geography

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Kapfenberg is located around 43 kilometres north of the Styrian capital Graz and around 117 kilometres southwest of the Austrian capital Vienna.

The town lies between the Mürztaler Alps and Fischbach Alps. The highest point is the Floning at 1583 metres above sea level, the lowest point at 483 metres above sea level is the Mürz on the municipal border with Bruck an der Mur, which flows into the Mur around 1.2 kilometres downstream.

Notable people

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View of Kapfenberg from Schlossberg.

References

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  1. ^ "Dauersiedlungsraum der Gemeinden Politischen Bezirke und Bundesländer - Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Einwohnerzahl 1.1.2018 nach Gemeinden mit Status, Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
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  Media related to Kapfenberg at Wikimedia Commons