Vorarlberg subsequently settled by the Bavarians and the Lombards. It later fell under the rule of the Counts of Bregenz until 1160 and then to the Counts of Montfort until 1525, when the Habsburgs took control. The historically-Germanic province, which was a gathering-together of former bishoprics, was still ruled in part by a few semi-autonomous counts and surviving prince-bishops until the start of World War I. Vorarlberg was a part of Further Austria, and parts of the area were ruled by the Counts Montfort of Vorarlberg. Following World War I there was a desire by many in Vorarlberg to join Switzerland.
Au, Vorarlberg Au, Vorarlberg Au is a town in the Bregenz Forest in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, part of the district of Bregenz. The town belongs to the Bregenz Forest, more exactly to the "Hintere Bregenzerwald". Forty percent of its 45 km² area is covered with forest, 34.4% of the area is used as alpine pasture ("Almwirtschaft") and for other forms of alpine agriculture. The town itself is unlike others in the area, as it has no real centre. It consists of several districts, which are (in no particular order): Argenau, Wieden, Lugen, Lebernau, Rehmen, Schrecken, Kreuzgasse, Jaghausen, Am Stein, Argenstein,