I am from the US, but one of my Uncles recently traced back our ancestry to Lichtenstein. I will be in Europe this Summer and want to visit my motherland. If anyone is related to the Hoch family from Triesen, we are likely very distant relatives which is kinda cool.

A very niche topic, but in 1499, the Old Swiss Confederacy and the Holy Roman Empire came to blows in what was called the Swabian War, as the former began to assert more independence within the empire. It appears significant battles of this conflict were fought in the area that eventually become the Principality of Liechtenstein:

I've been unable to find any English language literature that deals in any detail with the country prior to its independence, and thought those of you who know German might be able to find more info. This map seems to show that Liechtenstein was neither allied with the Old Swiss Confederacy, nor with was it technically a Hapsburg territory, and it's not shown as a member of the Swabian League, which was formed to keep Swiss expansion in check.

So...does anyone know who the people in this area that'd become Liechtenstein were allied with in 1499? Who was the ruler and what "circle" or estate was it a part of within the Holy Roman Empire at the time? It looks like the territory was on the front lines and thoroughly plundered and pillaged, but by whom? Both sides?

It is very interesting to me that it looks like this little valley has been independent minded for a very long time. Perhaps that explains why it still exists as an independent polity all these centuries later. lol

I’m doing a mandatory music assignment about Christmas traditions in European countries, and I chose Liechtenstein. I could only find information about some kind of market. Could anyone please share what kinds of Christmas traditions or celebrations are unique to Liechtenstein?