Bad Aussee
At the meeting point of the three Traun River headwaters in the Ausseerland area of the Austrian state of Styria is the town of Bad Aussee. The Salzkammergut lakes area, known for its lake and mountain scenery as well as its salt mining past, has it as its economic and cultural hub for the Styrian portion. Said to be the geographical center of Austria, Bad Aussee is home to 4,833 people.2010 saw it named Alpine Town of the Year for its environmentally friendly growth in the Alpine Arc.
Rich cultural legacy and several historic structures can be found in Bad Aussee, including the 15th-century Kammerhof, the old salt administration offices, and the 13th-century Romanesque and late Gothic Stadtpfarrkirche St. Paul, which has a Gothic Madonna from 1420. The residents of Styria and the Salzkammergut are still aware of the economic, cultural, and educational contributions made by Anna Plochl, the wife of Archduke Johann of Austria, who was born in this town.Bad Aussee’s Kurpark is centred on a statue of the adored archduke.
Popular tourist location Bad Aussee has a range of things to do and see for guests. The Kammerhofmuseum, a superb regional museum in the town, houses displays on regional traditions and customs, the salt trade, and a fossil collection discovered in the area. In addition, the city center Vital Bad Aussee spa provides the Kneipp Cure therapy, developed by German priest Sebastian Kneipp, as well as therapeutic brine pools. With with over thirty lakes surrounding the town—the Atter, Traun, Mond, Wolfgang, and Hallstätter—one may go swimming, boating, fishing, or hiking. The Dachstein Gruppe, which rises to 9,826 feet (2,995 meters) and is the highest peak in the area, is situated to the south. Together with the Totes Gebirge and the Warscheneck, these limestone massifs provide breathtaking vistas and demanding routes for skiers and climbers.
Furthermore related to Bad Aussee is the Nazi art cache found in the neighboring salt mines at the close of World War II. Some 6,000 artworks were kept in the mines, which Hitler attempted to destroy not long before the war ended. The artworks were preserved and given back to their proper owners because to the efforts of a group of Austrian miners and an American unit known as the Monuments Men.2014 saw the film adaptation of the Monuments Men’s tale, starring Matt Damon and George Clooney.
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Geography Of Bad Aussee
The Ausseerland region in the eastern Alps’ Salzkammergut lakes includes Bad Aussee. Set at an elevation of 2,066 feet (630 meters) above sea level, the town spans 24.8 square miles (64.2 square km). The town is situated at the meeting point of the Traun River’s three sources, which runs past it and splits Styria and Upper Austria. The Dachstein Gruppe, Totes Gebirge, and Warscheneck mountains, which are a component of the Northern Limestone Alps, ring the town. The town is also next to a number of lakes that are a part of the Salzkammergut lake district: the Altausseer See, the Grundlsee, the Toplitzsee, and the Ödensee.
Weather & Climate In Bad Aussee
There are four distinct seasons and little precipitation all year round in Bad Aussee. Averaging 46.4°F (8°C), July is the hottest month and January the coolest. At 43.3 inches (1,100 millimeters) on average, June is the wettest month and February the driest. Averaging 1,762 hours of sunlight year, July is the hottest month and December the cloudiest. The community also receives sporadic snowfall, particularly in the winter, when 35.4 inches (90 centimeters) fall on average year.
Demographics Of Bad Aussee
At the 2020 census, Bad Aussee had a population of 4,833, of whom 2,388 were men and 2,445 were women. At 75.3 persons per square kilometer, there are 195.1 people per square mile. Ninety-six percent of the population is Austrian, and most of them are nationals of that country. The biggest minority groups are Bosnians (0.5%), Turks (0.6%) and Germans (1.3%). At 77.9% of the people, Roman Catholicism is the most common religion. Protestantism is the second most common religion; 7.2% of people identify as Evangelical Church members. A further 14.9% of people practice other religions or are not religious at all.
Districts & Neighborhoods in Bad Aussee
Six districts, or Katastralgemeinden, comprise Bad Aussee; these districts are further split into sixteen neighborhoods, or Ortsteile. There are six districts:
- The administrative centre and major section of the town is called Bad Aussee. It comprises the villages of Sarstein, Obertressen, Lerchenreith, Eselsbach, Gschlößl, and Reitern.
- Altaussee: By area the biggest district and the southernmost. It comprises the communities of Lichtersberg, Puchen, Altaussee, and Fischerndorf.
- Grundlsee: With regard to area, the second-largest district and the easternmost. It comprises the settlements of Grundlsee, Bräuhof, Gößl, and Archkogl.
- Kreuzer is the district with the smallest area and the northernmost. It comprises the Kreuzer neighbourhood.
- The second-smallest district by area is Lerchenreith, which is also the westernmost. It comprises the Lerchenreith neighbourhood.
- Reith: Third smallest district in terms of land and located in the southwest. It covers the Reith neighbourhood as well.
Economy Of Bad Aussee
A middle school, a high school, a secondary school, and a higher education institution for economic vocations are among the educational options available in Bad Aussee. The town offers public library services and houses a music school as well.
Bad Aussee has a psychosomatic clinic, a public hospital with internal medicine and surgery services, and a pension insurance health facility. To further meet the health requirements of the community are general practitioners, dentists, specialists, and a spa doctor.
Being a well-known travel location, Bad Aussee draws tourists for both summer and winter activities. About 25,000 people come to the yearly Daffodil Festival. The tourism association in the town works with nearby towns to market the area as a whole.
Independent commercial companies, especially those involved in the manufacture of traditional costumes, are the main hub of trade and commerce in Bad Aussee. Famous for its Aussee gingerbread, the village holds a weekly market. Leading employer Rigips Austria supports the regional economy.
With road links and a rail station connecting it to other locations, Bad Aussee boasts a well-developed transportation system. While the Salzburg airport is the closest international air travel hub, bus services and taxi firms offer further transit alternatives.
Salt mining has traditionally made agriculture important in Bad Aussee, but with time, its significance has declined and there are now few full-time farmers in the area.
History Of Bad Aussee
With its name most likely derived from the Slavic word for “mouth,” Bad Aussee has a 13th-century history. At once directly owned by the emperor, a conflict over salt mining brought the area under Styrian authority in the fifteenth century. Ausseerland, which had converted to Christianity, put into practice the Counter-Reformation in the late 16th century.
Among the significant events are the mid-19th century creation of administrative institutions and Aussee’s 1868 classification as a health resort. Transportation became easier after the Salzkammergutbahn opened in 1877. Aussee was awarded the title “Bad” (meaning spa) in 1911.
Ausseerland became administratively a part of Reichsgau Oberdonau (Upper Austria) during the Nazi regime. Bad Aussee was formed in 1942 by the merging of numerous villages. In 1948, the town was placed back under Styrian authority; in 1994, a city survey was carried out.
In 2010 Bad Aussee was named Alpine City of the Year. Its rich architectural legacy is especially seen in the many homes from the 19th century.
As a commercial center in the past, Bad Aussee was important to state administration and gave rise to administrative offices and a district court. But in 2011 the Bad Aussee branch of the Gröbming district administration was abolished and services are now supplied by a branch of the Liezen district administration after the reorganisation of Ausseerland into Styria.
Best Time To Visit Bad Aussee
A year-round resort, Bad Aussee has something unique and distinct to offer in every season. Still, the following times are among the finest to go:
- Spring: The town is in its best bloom, with vibrant flowers and verdant meadows, from March to May. The waters are clean and revitalizing, and the weather is moderate and bright. Along with the Easter and May Day festivities, now is a terrific time to go hiking, riding, and boating.
- Summertime finds the town at its best, with bright, sunny days and lovely, chilly evenings from June to August. While climbing, camping, and paragliding are all possible in the mountains, swimming, fishing, and sailing are all possible in the lakes. The traditional celebrations, including the Altausseer Kirtag, the Daffodil Festival, and the Narzissenfest, are also best experienced at this time.
- Autumn: The town is in a golden mood with crisp, clean air and vibrant foliage from September to November. Water sports are still welcome in the lakes, while hiking and riding are perfect in the mountains. This is also an excellent moment to sample the regional specialties, including the trout delicacy Ausseer Saibling and the gingerbread specialty Ausseer Lebkuchen.
- Winter: With chilly, gloomy days and warm, joyous evenings, the town is transformed into a snowy paradise from December to February. Both the mountains and the lakes are snow-covered and ideal for skiing and snowboarding. The lakes are also good for ice skating. The Christmas and New Year’s festivities, including the Glöcklerlauf, the parade of the lantern bearers, and the Krampuslauf, the procession of the demonic animals, are also best experienced at this time.
How To Get To Bad Aussee
Bad Aussee is conveniently reachable by several kinds of transportation, including:
- By car: Bad Aussee is reached by the A9 and the A10, which link to the B145 and the B166, respectively, on the Austrian highway network. About 180 miles (290 kilometers) separate the town from Vienna, 90 miles (145 kilometres) from Salzburg, and 60 miles (95 kilometres), from Graz.
- By train: The Austrian Federal Railways, or ÖBB, services the railway station in Bad Aussee. The town is on the Salzkammergutbahn line, which joins to the main lines at Stainach-Irdning and Attnang-Puchheim. The town is train-able from Vienna in around four hours, Salzburg in around two hours, and Graz in two hours.
- By bus: The Austrian postal bus service, ÖBB Postbus, services a bus station in Bad Aussee. Routes for regional and intercity buses that pass through the town include the 542, 543, and 945. Bus travel times to the town from Vienna are around five hours, from Salzburg three hours, and from Graz two and a half hours.
- By plane: About 90, 60, and 100 miles (145, 95, and 160 kilometers) apart, the Salzburg Airport (SZG), Graz Airport (GRZ), and Linz Airport (LNZ) are the closest airports to Bad Aussee. Along with shuttle services to Bad Aussee and car rentals, the airports provide both local and international flights.
It is easy to get about Bad Aussee on foot or by bike. Pathways, bike lanes, and trails crisscross the town’s many neighborhoods and districts. A public transit network with buses and trains that run both inside and outside of the town is also in place. ÖBB and ÖBB Postbus operate the buses and trains, which share a ticketing system.
Attractions & Landmarks In Bad Aussee
Said to have originated in the 13th century, the Bad Aussee Parish Church is situated in the eastern town center. Excavations have shown a Romanesque church from 1200. It had Gothic conversion in the fifteenth century and has subsequently had several restorations. Among the church’s noteworthy Romanesque and Gothic characteristics are a chancel tower, a vaulted nave, and elaborately ribbed ceilings. 1825–28, 1854, 1891, 1933, and 1983 saw restorations; the tower had additional work in 1909.
Originating in a testamentary decree in 1395, the Bürgerspitalkirche Hl. Geist was formerly a component of the Salinenspital. After a fire destroyed it in 1543, it was rebuilt and included into the court hospitals in 1553. That was finally taken down in 1956, though, and the hospital church was rebuilt in 1959. The church has late Gothic winged altar from 1449 and remarkable paintings.
The 16th-century Protestant past of the town is reflected in the Evangelische Pfarrkirche Bad Aussee, also known as the Jesuskirche. The church, which was built in 1908 and has an open rafter roof and a wooden gallery, was dedicated as a separate parish in 1921. In the altar niche is a basic crucifixion group.
Within the old Kammerhof building, the Kammerhof Museum presents the history and folk culture of Ausseerland via displays on archeology, salt mining, regional customs, and more. The museum was founded in 1978 and now has items from late Roman colonies to Paleolithic discoveries.
Among the many vintage Lotus cars on display at the Lotus Museum in Bad Aussee are the Europa, Esprit, and Super 7. Check out the latest models, model cars, books, and a slot car circuit.
Operated in the Salzkammergut next to Altaussee, the Altaussee Salt Mine is a component of the biggest salt manufacturing plant in Austria. It is renowned for the extremophilic and halophilic bacteria found in Permian rock salt samples and obtains salt using wet mining methods.
With displays on Altaussee-based authors including Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Friedrich Torberg, the 1970-founded Altaussee Literature Museum specializes on literature and local history. Moved in 2005, the museum has a literary garden, a book flea market, and permanent exhibits.
And last, the 2005-built Mercedes Bridge crosses the intersection of Altausseertraun and Grundlseertraun. Constructed in association with DaimlerChrysler AG and Mercedes-Benz, it is one of the biggest Mercedes stars in the world, shaped like a star and measuring 27 metres in diameter.
Things To Do In Bad Aussee
All ages and interests of tourists may find much to do at Bad Aussee. Adventure, rest, culture, or the outdoors—Bad Aussee has something to offer everyone. Several of your options are:
- Discover the lakes: Over thirty lakes encircle Bad Aussee, each with a unique personality and appeal. The lakes provide swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and just admiring their peace and beauty. Among the most well-known lakes are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Atter, Traun, Mond, Wolfgang, and Hallstätter.
- See the highlands: Bad Aussee is situated at the base of the Dachstein Gruppe, the highest mountains in the area. There’s the excitement of mountain climbing, camping, and paragliding, or the pleasure of downhill skiing and snowboarding. Explore the caverns and the glaciers that lay under the mountain peaks, or take in the breathtaking vistas and clean air from them.
- Savor the spa: With a long history of health and healing, Bad Aussee is a renowned spa and health resort. At the contemporary spa and wellness centre Vital Bad Aussee, which provides Kneipp Cure treatment and medicinal brine pools, you may spoil yourself. In addition, the new spa and wellness facility Narzissenbad provides a variety of services and amenities including saunas, steam rooms, pools, and a fitness center.
- Learn about the culture: Bad Aussee boasts a thriving creative community and a rich cultural legacy. The Ausseerland regional museum, Kammerhofmuseum, has displays about regional customs and traditions, the salt trade, and a fossil collection discovered in the area. You may also go to the many year-round celebrations and events, like the Literatur im Nebel, the literature festival with well-known writers and poets, the Altausseer Kirtag, the biggest folk festival in the area, and the Narzissenfest.
- Try the food: The history and geography of Bad Aussee have shaped its varied and tasty cuisine. The local delicacies include the fluffy pancake treat Ausseer Kaiserschmarrn, the fish delicacy Ausseer Saibling, and the gingerbread specialty Ausseer Lebkuchen. The local specialties, including the sweet soufflé known as Salzburger Nockerl, the Salzkammergut cheese dumplings, and the Styrian pumpkin soup, are also available. A fruit brandy called Ausseer Schnaps and a craft beer called Ausseer Bier are two more local beverages you could sample.
Accommodations & Hotels In Bad Aussee
There are several hotels and lodgings in Bad Aussee to suit all tastes and demands of guests. Something at Bad Aussee will fit both your budget and style. Several excellent hotels in Bad Aussee include:
- In the center of the town, next to the Kurpark and the Traun River, sits the four-star Hotel Erzherzog Johann. The 62 rooms and suites of the hotel are furnished with contemporary conveniences including a safe, flat-screen TV, minibar, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Along with a restaurant, bar, spa, sauna, and exercise area, the hotel offers. Along with a half-board option and a package deal with the Narzissenbad spa, the hotel serves a buffet breakfast.
- Situated in the Altaussee area, next to the Loser mountain and Altaussee lake, lies the three-star Hotel JUFA Altaussee. The hotel offers 46 rooms and flats with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, and private bathrooms all outfitted with wooden furniture. A playground, a lounge, a cafe and ski storage are further features of the hotel. There is a packed lunch, supper and buffet breakfast options at the hotel.
- Pension Egger is a small, family-run guesthouse in the Grundlsee neighborhood, next to the Zlaim ski lift and the Grundlsee lake. The guesthouse provides ten rooms with balconies, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi all furnished with traditional touches. There is a patio, a garden, and a grilling area at the guesthouse as well. Half-board accommodation is available, as is a continental breakfast.
- Camping Am See: Encircled by the Dachstein Gruppe and the Totes Gebirge, this lovely and roomy campground is situated on the coast of Altaussee lake. Tents, caravans and RVs can be parked on one of the 100 powered and water-connected spots at the campsite. Additionally on the campground are a kitchen, a washing facility, a kiosk, and a sanitary structure. Along with a snack bar and bike rental, the campsite provides bread service.
Bad Aussee - Info Card
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Bad Aussee is a town in the Austrian state of Styria, located at the confluence of the three sources of the Traun River in the Ausseerland region |
| Elevation | 659 m (2,162 ft) above sea level |
| Population | 4,833 as of 2018 |
| Tourism office | Kur- und Tourismusverband Bad Aussee, Kurhausplatz 86, 8990 Bad Aussee |
| Postal code | 8990 |
| Phone prefix | +43 3622 |
| Area | 82.03 km2 (31.67 sq mi) |
| Established | Designated a market town in 1295 |
| Language | German (Central Bavarian dialect) |
| License Plate | LI (for Liezen district) |
| Districts & Neighborhoods | Bad Aussee consists of the following districts and neighborhoods: Anger, Eselsbach, Gallhof, Gschlößl, Lerchenreith, Obertressen, Reitern, Reith, Sarstein, Sommersberg, Strassen, Unterkainisch, Untertressen |
| Weather & Climate | Bad Aussee has a temperate continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The average annual temperature is 7.9 °C (46.2 °F). The warmest month is July, with an average of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F), and the coldest month is January, with an average of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F). The average annual precipitation is 1,142 mm (44.96 in), with the wettest month being June, with 154 mm (6.06 in), and the driest month being February, with 63 mm (2.48 in) |
| Best Time To Visit | Bad Aussee is a year-round destination, as it offers various activities and attractions for different seasons. In spring and summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and boating in the scenic lakes and mountains. In autumn, visitors can admire the colorful foliage and the traditional festivals, such as the Ausseer Kirtag and the Narzissenfest. In winter, visitors can ski, snowboard, cross-country ski, and ice skate in the nearby ski resorts and ice rinks |
| Attractions & Landmarks | Bad Aussee has a rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as natural beauty. Some of the main attractions and landmarks are: – The Stadtpfarrkirche St. Paul, a Romanesque and late Gothic parish church that dates from the 13th century and contains a Gothic Madonna from 1420 and a sacrament house from 1523 – The Spitalkirche, a hospital church that was erected before 1395 and contains two Gothic altarpieces with movable wings from the 15th century and frescoes – The Kammerhof, a building that was built before 1200 and housed the salt administration for the region until 1926. It now hosts the Kammerhofmuseum, which has exhibits regarding local traditions and customs, the salt trade, and a collection of fossils – The Kurpark, a spa park that features a statue of Archduke Johann of Austria, who married a local postman’s daughter and had a significant impact on the region’s economy, culture, and education – The Oedensee, a lake that is surrounded by forests and mountains and offers a tranquil setting for relaxation and recreation – The Bad Aussee Alpengarten, a botanical garden that showcases the alpine flora of the region – The Narzissen Vital Resort, a sports complex that offers a spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool, and a sauna – The Aussichtsplattform Tressenstein, a viewing platform that offers panoramic views of the town and the landscape – The Lössl-Uhr, a clock that was built in 1911 by a local clockmaker and is displayed in the town hall – The Evangelische Jesuskirche, a Protestant church that was built in 1864 and has a neo-Gothic style |
