The Gasteinertal and its history
A touch of history blows through the valleys and over the mountains in the Alps. You’ll come across stories of days long past everywhere you go during your holiday in Gasteinertal. What were the beginnings of this now world-famous spa region and what is the history of its origins?
World famous for its thermal springs, it is one of the Tauern valleys which had settled since the earliest times and opens out into the Salzach longitudinal valley. At the end of the valley there are two important passes at over 2000 m sea level where people transported goods on foot or by horse from North to South and vice-versa.
The Romans settled the Gasteinertal more than 2,000 years ago and probably knew about and valued the healing powers of the thermal waters. The Celts operated the Gastein gold mines which lead in centuries which followed to considerable prosperity in the valley and a boom in trade in the valley. The name "Gastein" was first documented in a document from 1203. The renown of Gastein’s thermal springs reached its first high point in the 16th century. In the centuries which followed the decline of gold mining and major natural catastrophes, including the plague, resulted in the Gastein’s development as a curative spa coming practically to a standstill.
Only under Habsburg Archduke Ferdinand III did the development of the baths experience a renewed upurge, which was emphatically supported by Emperor Franz I. Through construction of the Tauern Railway at the beginning of the 20th century, this spa resort, which had only been accessible by horse-drawn carriage until then, now became easy to get to. Gastein became a place of major European politics, in the time of the Bismarck Gastein was known as the "Baths of the diplomats"!
Numerous illustrious guests, such as Emperor Franz Josef I and his wife, the Empress Elisabeth, Bismarck, Grillparzer, Schubert, Schopenhauer and many others helped Gastein gain its reputation as a modern bathing area.
After severe disruptions caused by the wars of the 20th century, construction began in the winter of 1945/46 on a ski lift to the Graukogel. This heralded a new era for the Gastein Valley: that of of winter sport.
Numerous places of interest, entwined with a lot of legends, provide glimpses into the historical development of the valley. For instance the "Entrische Church", a site of secret protestant gatherings during the time of their persecution, Klammstein Castle, the Church of "Our Lady" in Bad Hofgastein, which is one of the most beautiful and grandest examples of Gothic architecture in the SalzburgerLand and St. Nicholas Church, which is the oldest historic building in the Gastein Valley.
Set out in the footsteps of the "Säumer" or try your luck at panning for gold! Create your own personal, exciting expedition in the Gasteinertal.
