Fierstein

Fierstein is a town and commune in the Valorian region of Alderon. It lies in the Fier Valley along the Fier River, about 60 kilometers northeast of Valoria City and serves as the administrative center of the Fierstein municipality. The population was approximately 9,800 in 2022.

Geography and economy: The town sits in a temperate valley surrounded by limestone hills. The climate is mild with warm summers and cold winters. The local economy combines manufacturing, agriculture, and services; historic crafts, such as stonework and ceramics, remain present in workshops around the town.

History: Fierstein emerged in the 12th century and likely took its name from early stoneworkers. It developed as a regional market town and experienced industrial growth with the arrival of the railway in the 19th century. Since the late 20th century, it has pursued a diversified economy focused on culture and tourism as well as light manufacturing.

Culture and infrastructure: The town preserves a historic center with timber-framed buildings and a late-medieval parish church. Fierstein hosts the annual Steinfest crafts festival in late summer, and offers a small museum collection focused on local geology and industry. Education includes a middle school and a secondary school; regional rail connections link Fierstein to nearby cities.

Notable people: Mara Stolz, architect known for restoration work in Alderon, and Lukas Frey, biologist specializing in alpine flora, were born in or associated with Fierstein.