The market town of Sillian is situated in the Hochpustertal in the Osttiroler Oberland region at the frontier to South - Tyrol. Sillian, which is located north of the Drau River, had a court till 1919. In former times Sillian was a centre of livestock breeding and cartage business. Today the people find employment in different small and medium-sized business and within the service sector. Tourism, which started in 1871 when the Südbahn railroad linking Marburg with Franzensfeste was accomplished, is the main source of income in Sillian. Next to the historic centre new, expanding developments have been built southwards close to the Drau River. Since 1844 Sillian has been a spa town with its radioactive mineral springs of Weitlanbrunn. Agriculture still plays a significant role on Sillianberg with its isolated farmhouses.