Schwaz is a city in Tyrol, Austria. It is the administrative center of the Schwaz district (Bezirk). Schwaz is located in the lower Inn valley, and has a population of about 13,000.
At its height during the Middle Ages, it was an important silver mining center, providing mineral wealth for both the Fugger banking family and, through them, for the Austrian emperors. During this period, its population of about 20,000 inhabitants made it the second largest city in the Austrian Empire, after Vienna.
Schwaz received its city rights in 1898 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
Schwaz is the birthplace of 16th century pulpit orator Georg Scherer and 20th century philosopher Hans Köchler.
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