EXHIBITION GUIDE Nature Exhibition

Museum On the Knight ’s Trail NATURE EXHIBITION “THE LAST OF THE WILD ONES” THE LAST OF THE WILD ONES – NATURE EXHIBITION OVERVIEW DISCOVER – MARVEL – COMPREHEND Lech-Panorama The nature exhibition above all, should arouse curiosity and excite visitors about the 3. Fluss und Schotter Lech River from its source to its falls. On the nine interactive and experiential stations which emulate the gravel islands in 9. Flug über das Tiroler Lechtal the Lech River, visitors can solve fascinating puzzles about the last wild river landscape 2. Flussdynamik of the northern Alps.

CONTENTS

Nature Exhibition “The Last of the Wild Ones”. .2 8. Naturpark The Last of the Wild Ones

Nature Exhibition Overview...... 3 Alpen-Panorama 1. Überblick und Orientierung Theme Island: Nature Park ...... 4 7. Fluss und Theme Island: Overview and Orientation . .5 Mensch Theme Island: Experiential Cinema. . . . 6 Theme Island: River and Humans. . . . .7 Theme Island: Fluvial Dynamics . . . . . 8 6. Geologie Theme Island: River and Gravel Islands. . 10 Theme Island: Riparian Forests. . . . . 12 5. Seitenbäche und Schluchten Theme Island: Tributaries and Gorges. . . 14 4. Auwälder Theme Island: Geology...... 15

2 3 Theme Island: Theme Island: NATURE PARK OVERVIEW AND IN THE REALM OF THE LAST ORIENTATION OF THE WILD ONES RIVERS UNIFY … The Tyrolean Lech River, including its tri- eye-catcher with its spectacular location butaries, is a designated Natura 2000 on a bridge spanning the Lech River: ... the 264 km long Lech River trancends area. It is the last wild river landscape in borders. It connects Austria with Germany. the northern Alps and one of the few near Klimm 2 The source of this river is located in the nature alpine river valleys in Austria. A-6644 Elmen Lechquellengebirge in Vorarlberg at about Like no other river landscape in the Tel.: +43 (0)664 4168465 1,800 meters above sea level. Here the northern Alps, the Lech Valley is of cent- oder +43 (0)664 4168466 inividual drops of water begin their long rality as a radiation and propagation plane Mail: [email protected] journey. They then flow downstream for the flora and fauna between the Alps www.naturpark-tiroler-lech.at through the Lech Valley reaching the Lech and the Jura. waterfall where they plunge 12 meters, No other kind of landscape in Central leaving Austria and enter Germany. The- Europe is similarly diverse and rich in reafter, the water continues its journey in species. Sand and gravel banks, broad the Lech River through southern Bavaria, alluvial floodplains and light blue-turquoise until it finally flows into the Danube River Tyrolean part of the Lech River with its shimmering water are what give the Lech near Donauwörth. tributaries forms the largest contiguous River, the last of the wild ones, its beauty protected valley area in the Tyrol. This ex- all the way down to Füssen! The outdoor area of the Nature Park Cen- Have a look at the terrain model. See pansive valley area is something special, ter is also special because of its unique the Lech River? Many protected areas because the economically developed and Want to learn more about the Nature Park design. A Nature Park playground, labyrinth in the Tyrol are situated in the mountains permanently populated areas are directly Tiroler Lech? Then visit us in the Nature and an outdoor information area invite far away from populated areas. The Na- adjacent to significant naturally preserved Park Center Klimmbrücke which is an visitors to hang-out, play or simply relax. ture Park Tiroler Lech is different - the spaces.

4 5 Theme Island: Theme Island: The Lech River and Its Inhabitants EXPERIENTIAL CINEMA RIVER AND HUMANS Because of its expansiveness, it is still said that the Tyrolean Lech River is consi- FEEL AS FREE AS A BIRD! THE LECH VALLEY: dered „the largest landowner“ in the valley. THE EXPERIENTIAL CINEMA ITS COUNTRYSIDE AND INHABITANTS But in order to inhabit the areas along the MAKES IT POSSIBLE. Settlement History Lech River and gain land for pastures and Take a flight over the Lech Valley from its villages, walls and dams were erected on source to the falls. There is so much to Only very few prehistoric remains have its banks and tributaries. see – enjoy the picturesque views and been discovered in the Reutte basin valley Over time, it became clear that the collect some unforgettable impressions. and the Lech Valley. It is believed that the Tyrolean Lech River needed space for Celts came from the Allgäu into the Lech its great amount of water. Successively Valley, in order to go hunting in the Lech over time, the river is being freed from River lowlands and riparian forests. Much its controlling structures. Across Europe, later, numerous craftsmen and tradesmen it is a prime example of a successful river left the Nature Park region in order to renaturation. find work and earn their livelihoods elsewhere. The reputation as an artistically- talented folk still holds true today. The wood carver’s sculptures as well as the Geierwally Theatre performances on the largest open-air stage in Tyrol, are known far beyond its borders.

6 7 Theme Island: FLUVIAL DYNAMICS WHAT CHARACTERIZES A WILD RIVER? Wild or tame, thundering through the valley or flowing gently, a lot or little water – these opposites make up the two faces of the Lech River, all of which bring constant Water, boulders, stones, gravel and sand change. These dynamics are characteristic of a wild river. are typical for a wild river. Their interaction, the slope of the river bed and the flow rate of the water, which can change quickly for example in the case of seve- re thunderstorms, all play a crucial role in how a wild river’s look and shape is WILD RIVER PROFILE - TYROLEAN LECH: created.  wide riverbed Using the flow model, the power and dynamics of water can be explored.  low water temperature Depending on the flow speed and incline  constant changes of the channel body, sand and pebbles are either transported or deposited. Sand  gravel banks channels, potholes and turbulences are  driftwood formed.

8 9 Theme Island: RIVER AND GRAVEL ISLANDS GRAVEL ISLANDS – DOES ONLY RIVER GRAVEL CALL THIS PLACE HOME?

At first glance, the gravel banks seem barren and lifeless. But looks can be GRAVEL BANK PROFILE: deceiving! Despite inhospitable condi-  only occurs in intact wild rivers tions, things are bustling. The German tamarisk, the mountain  flooding allows for gravel islands to develop or recede avens, the little ringed plover and much  climate on gravel island: more call the gravel banks home. They have developed special survival strate-  cold, heat gies to cope with adverse circumstances. hatching. This is also an adaptation to a  aridity The ringed plover is a camouflage speci- wild river habitat because water levels  high UV-rays alist, because his plumage exactly match can change so rapidly and gravel banks the colors of the Lech River pebbles. The become flooded very suddenly.  wind bird is so concealed in its surroundings that it is almost invisible to its enemies. During nesting season, it wastes no time and places four well-camouflaged eggs in a nesting hollow on the bare gravel. The young are precocial birds, already exploring their new home shortly after

10 11 Theme Island: INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING A “RIPARIAN JUNGLE“? RIPARIAN FORESTS Come visit the Martinauer Au LOOKING FOR TRACKS IN THE „CENTRAL EUROPEAN JUNGLE“ Extensive riparian forest belts line the Lech River. Dry lowlands and softwood forest are two types of floodplain areas along the Lech River which differ greatly. While the softwood forest is a wet area, aridity dominates in the dry lowlands, as the name suggests. One thing the dry and the Pflacher Au lowland forest and the softwood forest have in common is that they depend on regular flooding. Many riparian forest animals are hidden and live undercover. However, if one looks closely and listens carefully, one can discover them by the tracks they leave behind. and amble through two distinct types of flood plain forests.

DRY FLOODPLAIN FOREST PROFILE: SOFTWOOD RIPARIAN FOREST:  on river banks – winter heath–pine forest  willows and gray alder  nutrient-deficient  nutrient-rich  one of the most diverse and colourful types of Central European forests  high humidity

12 13 Theme Island: Theme Island: TRIBUTARIES AND GORGES GEOLOGY QUIET SANCTUARIES TALKING LECH RIVER PEBBLES!

The side valleys offer an undisturbed Real geological treasures are hidden in refuge for plants and animals, as their the Lech River! Red, green, white, gray, outlet is often obstructed by impressive … the Lech pebbles contain many colours. gorges and waterfalls, therefore making Round or rather square, every stone can them inaccessible. tell a story about its origin. The variety of The display shadowboxes are the „trea- colourful Lech River pebbles reflects the sure chests“ of the nature exhibition. geological diversity of the mountains. They show a variety of plants and animals The Lech Valley Alps and Allgäu Alps from the tributary valleys that have found which surround the Lech River were a quiet sanctuary there. created with sand, mud, shells of dead And not to forget, the water ouzel or dipper, foraging underwater for food. Have you creatures and rotting plants. About 240 which always resides near water. This discovered it in the nature exhibition? million years ago their formation began bird is an agile diver, which facilitates its in the Tethys Sea. Growing layers of sedi- mentary rock were formed by enormous pressure on the at-first loose deposition SIDE VALLEY AND GORGE PROFILE: layers.  hanging valleys formed during the Ice Age  lifelines for the Tyrolean Lech River Imprint:  provide water and rocks Allgäuer Zeitung Anke Sturm, Andreas Schindl, Anette Kestler, Anton Vorauer, Barbara Koch, Baubezirksamt Reutte, Charly Winkler,  sanctuary for plants and animals Felix Lassacher, Francesca Wolf, Katharina Ziegler, Kessler & Co., Mario Posch, Robert Eder, Patrick Heinrich, Armin Walch, TVB Naturparkregion Reutte

14 15 Nature and JOINculture FORCES …

The Tyrolean Lech River is known far The expanse of the Reutte valley basin is the Reutte valley basin. Here the lowland and enables visitors to reach Fort Claudia beyond its borders as the last remaining attributable to these tremendous glacial forests on the banks of Lech River repe- on the other side. On the way back into wild river in the Northern Alps thanks to forces, which the harder rock varieties, atedly open up to offer expansive views the valley hikers arrive at the new Klause its wildness and water power. such as the main dolomite and Wetter- of the fortifications, inviting hikers to con- Ehrenberg visitor’s center. Nature and stein limestone, withstood. Today, the quer the castles on their own. culture meet up together here in a special The reason the Lech Valley looks the way Schlosskopf fortress and the rock castle way – both the nature exhibition „The Last it does to present-day hikers is due in Ehrenberg reign majestically on these Having arrived at the castle ruins, hikers of the Wild Ones“ and the experiential large part to the last ice age. The huge ice fortified rock formations. approach the entry portal to the longest museum „On the Knight‘s Trail“ are located masses of the Lech glacier carried the suspension footbridge of the world. under one roof. Both exhibitions invite softer layers of rock with them on their Whoever hikes the Lechweg Trail from With a length of 405 meters, it spans the visitors to listen - explore - experience. way through the valley. the source to the falls, passes through narrow part of the valley south of Reutte

16 17 Klause to Ehrenberg

MUSEUM „ON THE KNIGHT’S TRAIL“

After an extensive renovation of the former fortifications, the Burgenwelt Ehrenberg VIA CLAUDIA AND SALT ROAD THE KNIGHTHOOD was created. Through its combination LIFELINE OF A REGION A VIRTUOUS ELITE of history and nature the place appears like a walk-on stage which you can expe- Under Emperor Claudius in the years 46 In the 10th and 11th centuries, the knigh- rience firsthand. The heart of the castle and 47 AD, the Via Claudia Augusta, the thood developed in Europe and was an ensemble is the “hands-on” museum, main travel route between the Adriatic elite ruling class which pursued courtly which is housed in the premises of the Sea and Danube River was established. virtues. This social class required a noble former castle caretaker. Here the Middle In the Middle Ages, the Via Claudia was birth. At age 7, the boys entered into the Ages are made visible, tangible and audible. a significant artery between the trading service of a knight as pages. They were The museum’s conception intertwines centers of Venice and Augsburg. For the taught courtly manners, reading, writing Ehrenberg’s history with that of a trading economically weak region called the and arithmetic. At the age of 15, the page route. “Außerfern”, the salt trade between the turned into a squire, possessed real- Since Roman times a road has passed Tyrolean Inn Valley and the Lake Constance weapons and had to follow his master through the Außerfern like a lifeline. region was of particular importance. The everywhere. After a further 7 years, this Known as the “Salt Road”, during the trade route therefore later came to be master conferred knighthood upon his Middle Ages it brought with it an economic known as the “Salt Road”. squire. The daily life of a knight was boom and prosperity to the Tyrolean border defined by his social position. region.

18 19 CASTLES SYMBOLS OF POWER AND SOVEREIGNTY

In the second half of the 13th century in different sizes from the coarse boulders of the castle. This is where the lord and storeys. An example of a residential castle the Außerfern, a diverse and dense castle which were then stacked and fixated his family spent the most of their time is Falkenstein, constructed by Count landscape developed. Seven new castles with lime mortar for walls. Construction and where guests were received. An Meinhard II around 1270, expanding his were built under Count Meinhard II. Bul- cranes and hoists lifted the building material abort (medieval toilet) added a bit of land possessions into Pfronten in the warks reflected power and sovereign onto the walls. personal comfort. In early castles this Allgäu. rights and were the centers of law, was wood-paneled; newer buildings had Starting around 1180, curtain wall castles economic life and courtly culture. Daily life at the castle depended on how privies made of stone walls. The most developed as a common architectural The construction of a castle was costly aristocratic the castle lord was. Main- valued room was the castle chapel, which type. This includes Ehrenberg Castle built and took many years. Various craftsmen tenance and the provision of supplies to was usually near the castle gate. shortly before 1300. Because of its location, worked on the large-scale construction the castle were everyday tasks. Ehrenberg is considered to be a rock sites. Manual and statutory services In the castle kitchen, a fire was always The castle region of the Außerfern-Allgäu castle, in which the natural rock formation were specified exactly; building material ablaze for cooking and roasting. Cooking features a very diverse picture. A model was integrated into the fortification. and laborers were paid by the contracting pots were placed directly into the fire or illustrates the evolution of castle types Shield wall castles were built mainly on authority. hung over the fire from a swivel-mounted between the 11th and the 14th century. mountain spurs. The steep elevations of A path was built before construction began hook. There was a small nook in which A tower castle was four to five storeys rising mountain slopes were secured by and the forest was cleared for the buil- the precious cooking salt could be kept high, each floor was assigned a particular very high and massive shield walls. Built ding site. Stones for construction were dry near the hearth. purpose. Schwanstein Castle is depicted around 1300, the Nesselburg in Nessel- obtained by driving wooden wedges The sleeping chambers were simply here, built in the early 12th century on wang in the Allgäu shows this type of into the holes and cracks of large rocks furnished. Clothes and linen were kept the same site as Neuschwanstein Castle, castle in the model. and then dousing them with water. The in chests, beds were made of a simple which was erected much later. water’s swelling effect caused cracks frame which sometimes had a canopy. The residential castle consisted of an that were then widened by hand. Stone- The bed frames were lined with straw elongated house made of stone as its cutters hewed square stone blocks into mattresses. The great hall was the heart core building, which had three or four

20 21 Salzstadel

EHRENBERG In 1639 Claudia de Medici, widow to TRADE AND COMMERCE ONCE A BORDER FORTRESS, Prince Leopold V, had the opposite side of the valley to Ehrenberg fortified. On The medieval world changed fundamen- TODAY A THRIVING MEETING the Falkenberg, Elias Gumpp built a reduit tally as the profession of merchants and PLACE with a small courtyard; an encircling wall traders developed in the cities. Skilled with interior buildings, loopholes and merchants could acquire great wealth, The historical events surrounding Ehren- three corner bastions surrounding the but could quickly lose it again through berg start in the year 1268 as the property courtyard. In 1645 Elias Gumpp had already speculation and poor ventures. of the Staufers in what is today the emphasized the strategic importance of The largest trade centers in medieval Außerfern, were passed on to Count the Hornberg which is higher in elevation Europe were Venice and Augsburg. Meinhard II. of Tyrol. In this once largest than Ehrenberg Castle. Yet, only in 1726 Oriental luxury goods and spices came contiguous frontier of northern Tyrol, one were the first measures taken to secure through Venice to the northern half of Lermoos which is today part of the Ehren- can comprehend the development of the this site which included building a fortifi- Europe. Salt was as valuable as gold in berg ensemble – valuable goods could be medieval hilltop castle up to its Italian and cation with a defensive wall. A two-storey the Middle Ages. From Hall in Tyrol, the stored in a dry and safe place overnight. French artillery construction. In order to barracks built between 1740 and 1746 „white gold“ was transported through The “Rodfuhrrecht” (freight forwarding secure his territory, Meinhard had castle had a third floor added in 1746, and could the Außerfern up into the Lake Constance right) was also tied to the staple right. „Ernberg“ built upon a hilltop in 1296. accommodate a 23-man garrison. The region and to Switzerland. The ancient Transports were carried out in an exact This border fortress was comprised of a fortress was purely defensive in character, route of the old Roman Road continued sequence, called the “rod”. For the local stately residential building and gate tower its chief instrument of defense was the to be used as the trading route, but was farmers, this was a profitable extra income, facing South. Both buildings were cannon. The facility was equipped with now called the Salt Road. The conferred since only indigenous wagon owners connected by a curtain wall. The brickwork artillery positions for 16 cannons and a staple right allowed inhabitants of the were allowed to forward the goods in the arranged in a herringbone design was bomb-proof vault. From this stance, cannon- villages and towns along this route to alpine regions. characteristic of this construction phase. fire could reach Reutte and the road to purchase goods made from these trans- Between 1607 and 1609, the Gunpowder the Fernpass. In 1782 Emperor Joseph II ports. In a salt grange – like the one from Tower and several defensive walls were ordered the Ehrenberg fortifications to be erected using quarry stone. closed down.

22 23 Römisch-Katholische Kirche

Griechisch-Orthodoxe Kirche

Mohammedaner

Richard I. von England, 1190-93, 1190-93

Flotte von Richard I. , 1190

Philipp II. von Frankreich

Friedrich I. Barbarossa

SCHOTT LAND

IRLAND

ENGLAND WALES

FRIESLAND

London Dartmouth ALCHEMY Römisch-Katholische Kirche THE CRUSADES FLANDERN Köln POLEN T HÜRINGEN Griechisch-Orthodoxe Kirche RUSSISCHE Mainz A SECRETIVE SCIENCE FÜRSTENTÜMER CHAMPAGNE Mohammedaner Worms The crusades were strategically, econo- Nantes ÖSTERREICH Vézelay

H EILIGES Richard I. von England, 1190-93, 1190-93 Favored by the nobility, but persecuted mically and religiously motivated wars in FRANKREICH RÖMISCHES Flotte von Richard I. , 1190 by the church, the alchemists of the the period between 1095 and the 13th REICH UNGARN Philipp II. von Frankreich century. Western Europe was the scene Venedig Middle Ages spent most of their lives in PORTUGAL K ASTILIEN Branits Marseille Friedrich I. Barbarossa dark vaulted cellars and laboratories. They of numerous small wars in the 11th UND LEON were searching for the „Philosopher‘s century. The church felt threatened in its ARAGON BYZANTINISCHES REICH stone“ and the universal healing remedy power while in the East, the Seljuks drew Silves

Brindisi called „Panacea“. ever closer to the eastern part of the SELT SCHUKKENSULTANAT VON RUM Roman Empire. Pope Urban II. heard the KÖNIGREICH ARAMÄER Messina Byzantine Emperor’s outcry for support in SIZILIEN Antioch PILGRAMS 1095, and thus called out the significant RHODOS ZYPERN words „God wills it!“. Encouraged by this Tripoli TRAVELERS IN SEARCH OF pro-crusade sermon, a disorganized army Akkon HEALING started in the direction of Palestine. The Ways of crusaders crusaders were mainly farmers and their Jerusalem At the end of the 11th century, a lively families, the gentry and some knights. At pilgrimage business to Christian holy Nicaea in Asia Minor, they were wiped THE PLAGUE SCHOTT LAND sites developed. Both the sick and the out by the Seljuks. In 1096 a new army THE BLACK DEATH healthy, the rich and the poor traveled was formed, which consisted mainly of IRLAND

to Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela the French, Southern Italian Normans, ENGLAND In the 1330’s the plague broke out in WALES and Canterbury. They hoped for recovery, the Flemish and Lorraines. In 1099 the Central Asia. Trade ships brought this FRIESLAND

London forgiveness and blessing. Long robes first crusade ended with the conquest contagious disease to Europe. In 1348 Dartmouth with a hood and a hat were typical pilgrim of Jerusalem. In a total of seven crusa- FLANDERN the deadly disease also reached Tyrol. Köln POLEN T HÜRINGEN RUSSISCHE clothes. An alms bag, water bottle and des, fought with extreme brutality, three Mainz FÜRSTENTÜMER CHAMPAGNE Worms rosary were also part of the outfit. A million people lost their lives. The few All medicine first proved useless. The Nantes ÖSTERREICH Vézelay

pilgrim walking stick made it easier to go remaining repatriates brought back new H EILIGES ignorance of doctors led to absurd FRANKREICH RÖMISCHES the distance. Upon reaching their desti- geographical experiences, foreign spices, finger-pointing. The church blamed the UNGARN nation, pilgrims were given a badge: in silken fabrics and gems which influenced REICH declining morals of the people. In repen- Venedig PORTUGAL Jerusalem it was a cross, on the Camino European international trade from then on. K ASTILIEN Branits tance, multitudes of people went about Marseille UND LEON de Santiago it was a shell. and flagellated themselves. ARAGON

BYZANTINISCHES REICH It was only the realization thatSilves rat fleas Brindisi transmit the disease that led to a break- SELT SCHUKKENSULTANAT VON RUM

through in the fight against the plague. KÖNIGREICH ARAMÄER Messina The separation of the healthy and the ill SIZILIEN Antioch

managed to curb the mutual contagion. RHODOS ZYPERN The disease killed about a third of the Tripoli European population (25 million). Akkon

Jerusalem

24 25 Festung Schlosskopf - construction plan Elias Gumpp 1632

THE KNIGHT IN BATTLE

According to the code of honor among the most common defense weapon was knights, the face-to-face duel was seen a thrown stone. Catapults were unsuitable as gallant. Knights fought each other with for defense, since they could not be lances and swords. Also war hammers, directed at mobile targets due to their spiked mace and clubs were used as weight. Medieval war experts even weapons. Bows and crossbows were recommended implementing animals if a considered unchivalrous in combat. castle was undermanned. Guards could The emergence of crossbows and fire- simply be replaced by geese and dogs. A arms brought the final demise of chivalry dog should be tied to a rope with a bell. at the end of the 14th century. When trying to get at its food dish, the Castle sieges were rather rare up until bell would ring and the enemies would the 14th century. Most attempts at con- think the castle was manned. quering a castle were to either take it Without the protection of the castle lord by storm or to starve their occupants by during wartime, the rural population was setting up a blockade. Once in a while rendered helpless. Enemy troops, by loo- wooden siege towers were used. They ting and pillaging, attempted to weaken were very expensive and could only be the economic base of the besieged castle used in flat terrain. Siege towers were lords. The peasants were at the mercy of mobile and were pushed close to the these actions. enemy copings. From a combat platform mal skins. Battering rams were cumber- the besiegers could reach beyond the some siege weapons which were used walls of the castle which they wanted to to bring down towers and walls. The conquer. To protect against fire arrows, most conventional long-range weapon of the siege towers were draped with ani- the Middle Ages was the bow and arrow,

26 27 THE FESTIVAL THE TOURNAMENT THE NOBILITY’S AMUSEMENT SHOWDOWN AND MARRIAGE MARKET

In the Middle Ages merrymaking was was paid to correct table manners. Guests During the tournament, the nobility could common. The lords hosted illustrious washed their hands before and after eating. flaunt their courage, valor, skill and afflu- celebrations on various occasions, during Peasants and the poor townspeople had ence. Duels were performed with sharp which the nobility stayed among them- a much simpler and far less varied meal weapons on horseback or on the ground. selves. The splendor of a feast was plan. Beets, cabbage, sauerkraut, porridge The highlight of every tournament was dependent upon the social status. Festivals and oat bread made up the daily cuisine. the duel on horseback with the long were often initiated with a hunt, followed Only water was drunk during the meal. lance (jousting). The squire and knight by games. In the hall of the castle a multi- The knighting ceremony marked the sharpened their skills using a rotating course meal was served afterward. There conclusion of years of training for a knight. doll (quintain). The doll’s shield had to be was a seating arrangement that was In a church, the weapons of the freshly struck with the sword so that the filled specified according to the social position dubbed knight were blessed. The young sack on the other hand of the quintain did of the each guest. During the dinner, knight was handed over his consecrated not hit and knock the rider off his horse. musicians entertained the social group. sword from his former master. He then A victorious knight gained fame, glory Venison and fish were readily served. vowed to serve God faithfully and to and riches, because the loser had to Beef, pork, mutton and goat meat were protect the weak. Finally, he received relinquish his horse tack to the opponent. also popular. Fruits, vegetables, eggs, his knightly accolade with the flat side Thus, a knight could actually become bread and cheese were the side dishes. of sword striking his left shoulder. The impoverished, and at worst, even lose his Thirst was quenched with wine and beer. new knight was duly celebrated and the life. At times, tournament battles were One dined on fine dinnerware with knighting ceremony was followed by a banned by the church, as the young nobi- spoons and knives. Drinks were served in lavish party. lity threatened to extinguish themselves. genteel goblets and cups. Great attention

28 29 Burgruine Ehrenberg with Highline179 Kaserne Schaufestung Schlosskopf

ONCE A FORTIFICATION TODAY THE BURGENWELT „CASTLE WORLDS“

In Ehrenberg Ensemble, over 400 years In 1639 the Tyrolean Princess Claudia de’ intelligence was incorporated. However, of fortress history can be explored in one Medici commissioned the fortification of Ehrenberg Fortress was no longer around walk. A pedestrian suspension bridge has the opposite side of the valley to Ehren- to celebrate its 500th anniversary in connected the ruins of Ehrenberg Castle berg. The building was named Fort Claudia 1796. Emperor Joseph II implemented and Fort Claudia since November, 2014. in her honor, and set new standards in a new defense strategy, which left only Through extensive renovations, the former Tyrolean fortress engineering. The defensive Kufstein Fortress as the remaining defen- fortification is today a place where building was kept low to the ground in order sive site in Tyrol. In 1782, all of the Ehren- culture and nature meet. The visitor center to better withstand new and enhanced berg fortifications were vacated and sold built in 2014 in the design of a bastion, is firepower. The structure was concealed at auction. an information hub and a departure point for the enemy - fragmented in appearance for hikes in the Burgenwelt Ehrenberg. Fort Claudia and well-adapted into the mountains. The Klause (hermitage) is the lowest point In the „Boarischen Rummel“ of 1703, located in what was once the largest The museum is now located in these Bavarian troops were able to, for a few contiguous border fortress of North Tyrol. rooms. The castle and the hermitage, days, revel in having conquered Ehrenberg In 1317 this roadblock was historically built by Meinhard II. in 1296, were involved Castle. A Tyrolean militia had managed mentioned for the first time in writing. in repeated armed conflicts. To provide to recapture its own castle by cannon It also served as a customs and postal a more extensive defense, the fortress fire from the Hornberg above. In order station, had enough room in the new was enlarged throughout the following to ensure a gapless defense, in 1723 barracks for an entire company, and 450 years and expanded with barbicans the construction of the fortress on the housed the castle commandant. in crucial defensive locations. Schlosskopf began. The latest military Burgruine Ehrenberg with Klause

30 31 NATURE PARK INFOBOX Area: 41.38 km² Length: 62 km Protective categories:  Natura 2000 Region  Nature Conservancy Area  Nature Park Nature Park Region: 24 Townships from Steeg to Vils Scope of functions:  Nature conservancy  Education  Research  Recreation  Regional development Features:  Last remaining wild river landscape in northern Alps  Creative power and dynamics of the water  Expansive riverbeds with gravel banks  Rare and endangered flora and fauna

BURGENWELT EHRENBERG INFOBOX Outdoor:  1293 Castle Ruin Ehrenberg (1.100m)  1480 Roadblock Klause (950m)  1645 Fort Claudia (1.050m)  1741 Fortress Schlosskopf (1.250m)  Hike and bike bathes  Longest suspension bridge of the world “highline179”

Indoor:  Hands on museum “On the Knights Trail”  Nature exhibition “The Last of the Wilde Ones”  Visitors Center and Museum-Shop

BURGENWELT EHRENBERG Nature Exhibition “The Last of the Wild Ones” Museum “On the Knight’s Trail” Klause 1 • A-6600 Reutte Phone: +43 (0) 5672 62007 [email protected] • www.ehrenberg.at