History Of Gmunden
Upper Austrian town and district Gmunden is located on the gorgeous beaches of Lake Traunsee. A complex and dynamic history of the area dates back to prehistoric times, when salt mining was a major industry. The settlement strengthened during the Middle Ages and over the ages was involved in a number of battles and uprisings. In addition, it was a major center for the salt business in Salzkammergut, a well-known area praised for its stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage. Austrian naval ships, health resorts, and scientific research have all benefited greatly from Gmunden.
Ancient Times
Originally living in the Balkans and other regions of Central Europe, the Illyrians were a group of Indo-European tribes that occupied the area of Gmunden. Finds of salt pans and equipment close to the lake provide proof that the Illyrians were mining salt in the region as early as 1000 BCE. A highly valued good, salt was exchanged among the Celts, Romans, and Greeks among other places and peoples.
The area was effectively taken by the Romans in the first century BCE, who also established a town called Lauriacum. With time, this hamlet became the town of Lorch. A vast road system built by the Romans connected Lauriacum to other towns and provinces throughout the empire. Connecting Italy to the Danube area, the Via Norica passed via Gmunden.Apart from their exploiting the local salt resources, the Romans were also renowned for their innovations in salt manufacturing and transportation techniques.
Following the Romans, the Germanic tribes—the Bavarii and the Alamanni, for example—arrived and settled in the area in the fifth and sixth century CE. While maintaining their own distinctive traditions and languages, the Germanic tribes accepted some features of Roman institutions and culture.Gmunden is derived from the Old High German word “gmund,” which meaning “mouth” or “confluence.” This describes the spot in the town where the Traun River emerges from the lake.
Middle Ages
In the twelfth century, when the Babenberg dynasty dominated the Duchy of Austria, Gmunden was fortified. The Babenbergs constructed Schloss Ort, a fortification and home on an island in the lake. The salt administration, which oversaw the region’s salt commerce and manufacturing, had its headquarters at the castle as well. The salt was cooked and crystallized in the salt pans in Gmunden after being taken from the brine springs in the neighboring mountains via wooden pipes. After that, carts moved the salt along roads to various marketplaces and locations while boats across the lake.
In 1278, Gmunden was granted a town charter by Habsburg King Rudolf I, who succeeded to the Duchy of Austria at the death of the Babenberg family. Among the powers and privileges granted to Gmunden by the town charter were the ability to host markets, collect tolls, choose a judge and council, and have its own coat of arms. In addition, the town joined the Salzkammergut League, an association of towns and villages that supported one another in the salt business and stood up to the central government and feudal lords.
Gmunden took part in and was a target in a number of Middle Ages battles. To impose his authority on the Salzkammergut League and the salt trade, King Albert I of Habsburg’s forces attacked and burnt the town in 1304. Hungarian King Louis I stormed and looted the town in 1363, during the interregnum after Duke Frederick II’s death. The town participated in the Styrian nobility’s rebellion in 1380 against Duke Albert III, who sought to increase levies and taxes on the salt business. The town back the Austrian Estates’ uprising in 1434 against Duke Albert V, who sought to consolidate his authority and restructure the government and the courts.
Gmunden saw some significant Middle Ages individuals and historical events as well. King James II of Aragon’s daughter Isabella of Aragon and Duke Frederick I of Austria were married in the town in 1315. Many Austrian and foreign nobility and dignitaries attended the lavishly planned wedding. The town greeted Emperor Frederick III in 1446, who for a number of years made Gmunden his home and seat of administration. Gmunden was also given permission by the emperor to use the imperial eagle in its coat of arms and to produce coins. Emperor Frederick III passed away at his castle in 1490 following a protracted and turbulent reign.
Early Modern Times
Early in the 20th century, Gmunden prospered and grew because of its good geographical location and booming salt business. A center of culture and learning, the town drew both tourists and pilgrims. Still, the community had to deal with a number of issues, including as social turmoil, natural calamities, and religious disputes.
The Protestant Reformation, which swept throughout Europe in the sixteenth century and questioned the authority and beliefs of the Catholic Church, had an effect on the town. While some Gmunden people preferred to stick with the old faith and the Catholic Church, others accepted the new faith and joined the Lutheran movement. Between Protestant nobility and peasants and the Habsburg emperors, who supported the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the town turned into a battlefield.
The latter faction struggled for political and religious independence and opposed Habsburg rule. The Protestant insurgents under Stefan Fadinger and the Habsburg army under General Gottfried Heinrich Graf zu Pappenheim fought a pivotal battle in the town in 1626. The Habsburg army murdered or captured a great number of the rebels throughout the fight. Along with plundering and burning the town, the triumphant army damaged or destroyed many monuments and structures.
The town had to recover from the catastrophic tragedies it had experienced in the 17th and 18th centuries, which finally resulted in a noteworthy era of economic and cultural rebirth. Together with improving its facilities and infrastructure, the town improved its salt production and trading. The town attracted many scientists and artists as it developed into a center for both fields. Famous people drawn to the town included painters Bartolomeo Altomonte, sculptor Johann Michael Feichtmayr, astronomer Joseph Liesganig, and naturalist Franz Xaver von Zach. The village became well-known as a health and wellness resort as well, drawing a lot of well-known visitors. Famous people among them included the emperors Joseph II and Francis II, the archduchess Maria Theresa, the Prussian king Frederick II, the well-known author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and the composer Franz Schubert.
Along with these natural tragedies, the town also went through diseases, fires, earthquakes, and floods. The Traun River overflown and devastated the town in 1741. The town suffered a great deal of damage from this incident, and regrettably there were also casualties. Lightning striking in 1781 caused a terrible fire to start. Much of the town was destroyed by this fire, including the town hall, the parish church, and the castle. A very strong earthquake that rocked the town and the surrounding area in 1768 severely damaged a great number of buildings. Significant fractures and collapses were brought about by the earthquake all across the region. The town had a terrible pandemic in 1713 that killed almost one-third of its inhabitants.
Modern Times
As Gmunden joined the Austrian Empire and then the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the 19th century, it entered the modern age. With the Napoleonic Wars, the Revolutions of 1848, the Austro-Prussian War, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, and the First World War, the town saw tremendous political and social upheaval throughout its history. Along with these economic and technological developments came industrialization, the arrival of steamboats, railroads, and electricity. Celebrities and a lot of tourists are drawn to the town since it has also managed to maintain its cultural and tourism beauty. Important people drawn to the town included writer Thomas Mann, composer Johannes Brahms, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Emperor Franz Joseph I, Empress Elisabeth, and Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The town was included into the Republic of Austria following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. The town faced several obstacles throughout the interwar years, such as political unrest, economic downturn, and the rise of fascism. Because Nazi Germany seized the town and the Allied troops bombed it, it suffered heavy casualties and damages during World War II. A great deal of crimes and atrocities also occurred in the town. Those included the creation of an SS maternity home, the persecution and deportation of the Jewish population, and the death of resistance fighters.
The town was included into the Second Republic of Austria in 1945 after being freed by American forces. The town made a good comeback after the war and went through a noteworthy time of prosperity and tranquility. The community also concentrated on improving its services and infrastructure, which raised living standards for its citizens generally. The community also preserved its rich cultural and tourist heritage by hosting a range of festivals and events all year round. Among these are the lively summer music festival Gmunden Festwochen, the charming Christmas market Salzkammergut Advent, and the thrilling sailing regatta Traunsee Woche. Together with housing the Traunsee Research Centre, the Gmunden Observatory, and the Gmunden University of Applied Sciences, the town also became a centre of innovation and research.
Currently part of the state of Upper Austria, the town is governed by the Gmunden district. Situated across 64 square kilometers, the town is home to over 13,000 people. Every six years the people of the town pick a mayor and a council to run the town. Additionally, local representatives from several political parties sit in the state and federal legislatures. Among the many regional and global networks and associations the town is a proud member of are the Alpine Town of the Year, the Euroregion Danube-Moldau, and the Salzkammergut Regional Association.
The town is quite proud of its lively culture and long history. It aggressively promotes and protects its own identity and traditions. Numerous memorials and sites in the town exquisitely highlight its rich past and dynamic present. Among the most well-known are the Schloss Ort, the Rathaus, the Kammerhof, the Gmundner Keramik, and the Traunsee. Numerous museums and galleries exhibiting the town’s art and science are also located there. Those are the Stadtgalerie, the K-Hof, the Kammerhofmuseum, and the Sternwarte. A range of festivals and events showcasing the town’s customs and music are another well-known feature. Among the noteworthy ones are the Salzkammergut Advent, the Traunsee Woche, and the Gmundner Festwochen.
