SMALL HISTORIC SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS TOWNS IN AUSTRIA IN AUSTRIA 2016 www.khs.info SMALL HISTORIC © Photo Ernesto TOWNS IN AUSTRIA Room with satellite TV Free Wi-Fi w Lift 14 SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS – precious as diamonds – > Breakfast buffet taking you to the most beautiful regions in Austria F Restaurant \ Hotel bar They still exist, those fascinating places that tell a story with every house, I Garage every narrow street, every square… Places that take the visitor back into the H past, welcome them with a joyful heart, and where time seems to stand still. Parking Places where pleasure is found in the ‘ little’ things of life – the beauties of h Disabled access nature, tradition, customs, and, above all, people. 6 Indoor pool L Sauna Where time and culinary arts J Massage are weighed a little differently BREGENZ FELDKIRCH Á Solarium Five different travel routes – each of which is dedicated to a particular theme BLUDENZ INNSBRUCK 7 Gym – will take you from one SMALL HISTORIC TOWN to the next. Awaiting you are z fascinating landscapes, historic estates, the most beautiful trails, special Pets welcome culinary treats, gardens and vineyards, mountains and valleys, beautiful man- made sights and spectacles of nature. You’ll discover all this and more over the following pages. Be inspired by the TOUR 1 wealth of beauty that the history of these fascinating towns has given us! www.dolomitengolf.at Atlas Kleine historische Städte www.romantikhotels.com e Österreich ONLY #BE*TDIMt#BE3BELFSTCVSHt#BEFOCFJ8JFOt#MVEFO[ #SBVOBVt'FMELJSDIt(NVOEFOt)BMMFJOt+VEFOCVSHt-JFO[ .BSJB[FMMt3BETUBEUt3VTUt4DIÊSEJOHt4UFZS AVAILABLE SCHLAFGUTHABEN IN GERMAN PARTNER TRAVEL GUIDE OF THE Accommodation voucher partner. Stay overnight in Austria at a SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS fixed price. WITH A FREE MAP!! Order now! Phone +43/(0)72 52/522 90 · [email protected] Bikers welcome Price: €17.50 incl. delivery Max Muster 2 SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS TOWNS 48__ BADEN BEI WIEN 38__ BAD ISCHL 46__ BAD RADKERSBURG CONTENTS 16__ BLUDENZ 34__ BRAUNAU 14__ FELDKIRCH TOUR 3 32__ GMUNDEN 24__ HALLEIN 42__ JUDENBURG SCHÄRDING LINZ ST. PÖLTEN 20__ WIEN LIENZ 40__ BADEN MARIAZELL BRAUNAU 22__ GMUNDEN STEYR BEI WIEN EISENSTADT RADSTADT 28__ SCHÄRDING SALZBURG BAD ISCHL MARIAZELL 30__ STEYR HALLEIN 04__NATURE THEMES National park ranger, Andreas Angermann, RADSTADT explores the unique natural beauties of Austria. GRAZ 06___CULINARY ARTS & CULTURE JUDENBURG Josef Zauner, traditional confectioner, gives an insight into the world of indulgence as well as beautiful and good things. LIENZ KLAGENFURT 08___FESTIVALS & EVENTS BAD RADKERSBURG President of the Austrian Musical Theatre Awards, Karl-Michael Ebner, gives an insight into the world TOUR 2 TOUR 4 TOUR 5 of indulgence as well as beautiful and good things. 10___ADVENT The Christ Child of Steyr guides you through the most atmospheric Advent markets and the most beautiful Christmas customs. TOURS 12___TOUR 1 – Discover and enjoy Vorarlberg Feldkirch – Bludenz 18___ TOUR 2 – Fascinating landscapes Lienz – Radstadt – Hallein 26___TOUR 3 – Of merchants and princes SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS in Austria Schärding – Steyr – Gmunden – Braunau Stadtplatz 27 | 4402 Steyr | Austria 36___TOUR 4 – Popes and emperors Phone +43/(0)72 52/522 90 | [email protected] | www.khs.info Bad Ischl – Mariazell – Judenburg 44___TOUR 5 – Wines and vineyards IMPRINT: Publisher and responsible for content: KLEINE HISTORISCHE STÄDTE in Österreich, Steyr | Cover photo: View over Radtsadt Bad Radkersburg – Baden bei Wien Conception and realisation: www.cocowerbung.at | Photos: Tourismusverbände der KLEINEN HISTORISCHEN STÄDTE Print: Niederösterreichisches Pressehaus 50___AUSTRIA CLASSIC TOUR SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS 3 1 1 Krimml Waterfalls 2 UN ESCO World Heritage Travel naturally Site Lake Neusiedl 3 View from the Great Barmstein towards Bad Dürmberg, near Hallein Travel broadens the mind; exercise is healthy; discovery opens up new horizons; 4 Boat trip through the Lower Inn European Nature the eye captures beauty and distinctiveness. Senses are sharpened and elated; Reserve curiosity comes through relaxation; haste becomes peace. Travelling to the 5 Tappenkarsee in the SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS of Austria reveals a natural world that uplifts us, Radstädter Tauern stimulates our senses and makes us want more. 2 Austria's nature is so rich that it needs to be seen to surrounding every valley make these sights simply be believed. There are many natural hightlights to spur amazing. If I go hiking along the streams and rivers in us on our way. For example, one strong incentive is the the Hohe Tauern National Park, I can hear the sound fact that Austria is, literally speaking, both beautiful of purity in each and every rapid. The streams and and healthy by nature. With around 45% forest area, rivers that spring from our unspoiled mountain regions almost half of the landscape ensures that fresh air criss-cross relentlessly through the beautiful valleys, is in plentiful supply. However, as Austria is an Alpine large and small alike. River banks are not just a place country par excellence, it is in the mountains that the to refresh ourselves, though. This is also where we can purity of the air is most evident. The air is also thinner discover an abundance of flora and fauna. Austria is here, particularly if you set off for the Großglockner home to 45,000 animal species, and almost 3,200 peak at the Hohe Tauern National Park (3,798 m), native plants grow at the highest heights, on alpine or one of the country’s 1,000 or so ‘Dreitausender’ pastures, in fields, forests and floodplains. The Edel- (mountains above 3,000 m). Many visitors, however, weiss – one of our most distinctive symbols – is merely are content with viewing these majestic sights from one reminder of the variety and unique beauty of the a distance. The cliff walls and snow-capped peaks Austrian plant world. 4 SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS 3 4 Andreas Angermann, ranger in the Hohe Tauern National Park (Tyrol) – a “warden employed to protect a natural area” according to the original Testing the waters meaning of the word. In addition to their hiking and mountain experience, rangers have a special Brook trout, Arctic char and carp flourish in the water Ultimately, Nature's delights show me day in, day out knowledge of the natural world and play the role kingdom of water and their flavour simply marks out its how valuable and unique it truly is. that's why, as a of intermediary between man and nature – the purity. The water quality of the lakes is excellent, to the national park ranger, I do everything I can to protect it. most important mission of a national park keeper. Perfect companions, rangers have been guiding extent that it is largely considered safe to drink. The Anyone who sets off to visit Austria’s SMALL HISTORIC visitors professionally and safely through the Hohe water is fresh and clear; pure, tingly and refreshing in TOWNS – anyone who wants to learn about their history Tauern National Park for over 20 years. the mountain regions. – should go ahead and do so. For they will find them- selves travelling through a world that holds wonders When I think of the Krimml Waterfalls in the Hohe for us all to enjoy. A rest at the lake shore, refreshed by Tauern National Park, my mind not only conjures up a gentle breeze, a picnic in a lush blooming meadow, NATURE images of gushing fresh water, but also the elemental a glimpse of towering mountain peaks during a short force with which this water forms our valleys before hike – it’s the little moments that make the most flowing into our lakes. I also imagine the pleasures of beautiful memories. And isn’t it wonderful to see how the summer retreat, which were so highly regarded at well Nature and Town can blend together as you set off the Imperial Court, with every leap into the lake and for the historic towns that flourish amidst our beautiful every snooze in the shade of the trees. We can bathe landscapes. Just listen… in a way fit for a king, letting us feel like royalty, too. In winter, the lakes are often wonderful stomping grounds for ice princesses and princes. Mother Nature enriches life here by providing us with such fine food, such as In brief & in depth Tauern lamb and beef from the Hohe Tauern National The SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS are nestled amid the Park. Its wonderful flavour is the best indication of qua- most magnificent scenery – people always knew lity. Our first-class cuisine shows a perfect understan- where the prettiest spots were. Here are some ‘natural experiences’ at a glance: ding of what is valuable and masterful, and is oriented Andreas Angermann Bad Ischl: Landmark mountain Katrin, towards nature itself. An apple from the Mostviertel Salzkammergut lakes, Dachstein massif region is as unforgettable as wild game from the alpine Baden bei Wien: Wienerwald Biosphere Park, regions; a fish from Lake Traunsee as memorable as beautiful parks, Badener rose garden Styrian pumpkin seed oil; a Zauner Kipferl (croissant) Bad Radkersburg: Klöcher Weinstraße is just as much a taste of real indulgence as the (wine route) and the Mur-Auen perfect Melange coffee. Bludenz: Muttersberg and 3 valleys – Brandnertal, Klostertal, Großes Walsertal Biosphere Park Braunau: Lower Inn European Nature Reserve, Braunauer Au local recreation area Feldkirch: Wildpark Feldkirch (deer park), 5 Ardetzenberg, Bangs-Matschels nature reserve Gmunden: Grünberg area, Kaltenbach-Wildnis, Lake Laudachsee, Lake Traunsee Hallein: Barmsteine, Zinkenkogel mountain peak, Hagen and Tennen mountains, Bad Dürrnberg Judenburg: Zirbitzkogel,