Radstadt

Radstadt
Radstadt - "the old town in the mountains" - lies in the Upper Enns valley, 55 kilometres south of Salzburg, in an area of Celtic and Roman settlement.

History
The first mention of Radstadt dates back as far as 1074 and it was recognised as a town in 1289 - the only town in the mountains in the Archbishopric of Salzburg.

Summer view of Radstadt

Winter view of Radstadt

Due to its strategically important position, in mediaeval times it was a flourishing trading centre. In the Peasants War of 1526/27 the town was besieged by the rebel forces of Michael Gaismair, and its determined defence was recognised by the grant of special rights (Grosser Freiheitsbrief) by Archbishop Matthaus Lang and the motto Allzeit getreu - 'Ever Loyal'.
During the first half of the nineteenth century Radstadt was occupied by Austrian, Bavarian and French garrisons, coming finally into Austrian possession in 1861, together with Salzburg.

The Fortifications
The thirteenth century walls are of unique symmetrical design and include three watch towers, Hexen, Teich and Kapuzinerturm, built between 1527 and 1535 and all in a good state of preservation. Six routes radiate from the city centre - Scheikstiege, Metzgerloch, Baderstiege, Sparkassenpassage, Stöcklloch and Friedhof - and the 'Millenniumspfad' walk along the walls, ending in the city square, guides the visitor, in 1000 steps, through a thousand years of history on information panels.

Castle Lerchen, dating from 1298, and the Kapuzinerturm tower, house the local heritage museum in which the history, sacred art, culture and geology of the area are displayed. Both are open daily during the summer season; the tower museum is closed in the winter months. Of the three churches, the Kapuzinerkirch has a notable baroque high altar.

Radstadt Today
Radstadt is now a sunny winter and summer holiday resort of about 5000 inhabitants. From the nearby mountain, Rossbrand, there is a panoramic view of more than 150 peaks of the Eastern Alps, Dachstein, Eisriesenwelt, Grossglockner, Liechtensteinklamm, Jägersee and Salzburg.

For winter sports, one ticket gives access to 120 modem cable railways and ski lifts and 220 kilometres of cross country trails in this most beautiful part of Austria. In summer there is tennis, golf, cycling, swimming, riding and walking. In the town, festivals create a special atmosphere - the festival of dumplings, Gardefest, the mountain festival on the Rossbrand, classical and modern music, theatre - there is much to delight the whole family.

Our chalet apartments are the The ideal place to stay on your winter or summer holiday.