Immigration to Vorarlberg and Tirol
The Walser settlements in Vorarlberg are at a large the latest populated regions in Vorarlberg. Walser populated the Laternsertal, the Argental with Damüls, the Große Walsertal, the Brandnertal, the Silbertal, the upper Lechtal also called “Tannbgerg” as well as the Kleinwalsertal or “Mittelberg” which encloses the upper valley of the river Breitach.
This region makes up about one quarter of the province’ surface. Although parts of Montafon and some altitudes in Walgau and Rhine Valley have been temporally populated by Walser. Especially in Montafon but partly also in Walgau and Rhine Valley, Walser did not settle in bigger closed areas but built permanent settlements in areas which have remained unpopulated due to their unfavourable nature.
The exact starting year of the Walser’s immigration to Vorarlberg is not
documented. The oldest available documents are from 1313. It may be assumed
that the Walser settled in Vorarlberg before the turn from the 13th
to the 14th century. Special acquirements were needed in order to
colonise this unsociable high mountain region.
