Attractions & Landmarks In Grundlsee
In the lovely Austrian state of Styria is the municipality and breathtaking lake of Grundlsee. The natural beauty of this place, together with the hiking and water sports possibilities, attract a lot of tourists. Explore the many sights and monuments of Grundlsee.
Beautifully situated in the Bräuhof neighborhood of Grundlsee, Styria, the Grundlsee Parish Church is a Roman Catholic parish church honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The foundation stone of the neo-Gothic church was placed in 1888. Principal sources of funding for the building were Prince Kinsky, Count Kesselstatt, and the Count of Meran. The church became autonomous and no longer a component of the parish of Bad Aussee in 1952.
Three bells consecrated in 1890 and the tower cross of the church erected in 1889. Master builder Max Cordignano oversaw the design by Robert Mikovics. The interior, mostly in neo-Gothic style, was built principally in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the noteworthy elements of this location are three windows from the glazing workshop in Innsbruck, statues of Jesus and other figures, and wood-carved sculptures by Val Gardena. In 2000 Rieger of Schwarzach installed an organ.
Dedicated to Saint Raphael the Archangel, the Messkapelle Gößl is a modest church owned by 14 farming families situated in the cadastral district of Gößl in Grundlsee. When the chapel was constructed in 1819–1820, there was first criticism because of its alleged cost. In 1952, nonetheless, it separated from the parish of Bad Aussee. Along with more contemporary pieces like a painting by Maria Mautner-Kalbeck and a sculpture by Hans Mayerl, the chapel has a Renaissance altar from Bad Aussee that dates back to 1663.
Originally a part of the Fischmeistergut, the Kaiserlicher Stall is situated in Mosern, Grundlsee and has a rich history going back to the “Imperial High Forest era”. At first used to house cows and store hay, it was eventually converted into a woodcutters’ payment and storage facility. It was purchased by the town of Grundlsee in 1987, and since 1992 the Grundlsee cultural working group has used it as a site for a variety of exhibitions.
Reconstruction of the medieval water mill Ranftlmühle, next to Gößl, took place between 2006 and 2011. At first built of wood in 1850, the building was called Johann Matthias Ranftl after the Viennese painter. The mill has major repairs, including pillar replacement, mill wheel reconstruction, and rebuilding of the mill block.
The goal of Alois Mayrhuber’s 1970 founding of the Altaussee Literature Museum is to present the writings of well-known Altaussee authors such as Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Friedrich Torberg, and Jakob Wassermann. After relocating to a new site in 2005, the museum currently features a reading room, literary garden, book shop, book flea market, and permanent exhibition among other features. This is the first stop on the Altaussee literary tour, “LiteraTour.”
The Grundlseer Traun feeds Lake Grundlsee, the biggest lake in Styria at 4.22 km², which is surrounded by the Dead Mountains’ foothills. Swimming, diving, surfing, sailing and sunbathing are just a few of the leisure pursuits offered in the lake. The municipality of Grundlsee is covered by environmental protection measures in large part. The Dead Mountains include palaeolithic artifacts that provide proof of early human occupation. Boaters use the lake since it offers easy access to the Kammersee and Toplitzsee. Tennis, archery, fishing and skiing are just a few of the numerous recreational pursuits available in Grundlsee. Grundlsee is a terrific site to begin your Dead Mountains hikes as well.
Grundlsee Parish Church
Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Grundlsee Parish Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the Bräuhof area of Grundlsee, Styria. It and the Altaussee and Bad Aussee parishes are part of the Oberes Ennstal – Styrian Salzkammergut deanery. Count Kesselstatt, Prince Kinsky, and the Count of Meran were among the fourteen members of the committee that built the church in 1882. Financial matters were mostly the families’ burden, and Dean Dr. Köberl oversaw the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone on November 19, 1888.
September 15, 1889, saw the installation of the tower cross, which brought the magnificent neo-Gothic building, built by Robert Mikovics’s deft hands under the direction of the renowned master builder Max Cordignano of Bad Aussee. Three bells measuring 176, 87.5, and 48 kg were dedicated and lifted on June 12 and the church was solemnly dedicated on June 13, 1890. Starting out as a branch of the Bad Aussee parish, the church was designated as a parish church in 1952 under Pastor Valentin Feiner.
Taken in 1886 from the destroyed “Troadhüttn” on Bad Aussee’s Chlumeckyplatz, the tower clock underwent many modifications until being electrified in 1970. Mostly constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the neo-Gothic style, the building’s interior includes a 1977-built people’s altar. A portion of the original high altar was used to build this one. Now serving as the tabernacle, the center section is situated on the right side of the church.
Among the sculptures in the sanctuary are those of Jesus, Margareta Maria Alacoque, Notburga, and Antonius von Padua. The church is ornamented with tabernacle-style Joseph and Maria statues. The 14 Stations of the Cross, together with wood-carved statues and a relief painting known as “Our Lady of the Passion,” are attributed to Val Gardena. It is thought that Countess Czernin von und zu Chudenitz presented the statue “Madonna on the Globe” in the latter part of the 16th century. Three exquisite windows contributed by the Innsbruck glazing workshop greatly enhanced the choir. These windows show Saint Barbara with miners, a vista from the Mount of Olives, and the crucified Christ. The parish church now features an organ built by Rieger of Schwarzach (Vorarlberg), thanks in large part to Pastor Anton Steinwender, who oversaw its construction from Easter 2000.
Messkapelle Gößl
A little church, the Messkapelle Gößl is situated in Grundlsee, Styria’s charming Gößl cadastral area. Saint Raphael the Archangel is the patron saint of it. Unique in Styria, this chapel is governed by the Grundlsee Roman Catholic parish and is not subject to diocesan authority.
Rich in history, the chapel was built in 1792 when the locals declared their need for a church. Fourteen Gößl farmer families hold it individually. The difficult drive, especially in the winter, to Sunday service in Bad Aussee inspired the community to pursue autonomy in religious affairs. The exorbitant building expenses were emphasized in a report by Johann Josef Forstner, keeper of the kk lordship of Pflinsberg, even though responsible authorities opposed the project.
Gößlers took matters into their own hands and between 1819 and 1820 constructed the church on their land. Archduke Johann made them a very kind contribution to help in their endeavors. August 10, 1821, saw the first Holy Mass said, and in 1833 the church was expanded. Brick replaced the timber construction later, in 1903.
Up to 1952, the Raphaelskirche was a branch church of the Bad Aussee parish. After winning its freedom, it was made to answer to the parish of Grundlsee.
How the original wooden church was furnished is unclear. Moved from the parish church in Bad Aussee, the main altar is a Renaissance altar from 1663. The church patron, the archangel Raphael, and the youngster Tobias catching a big fish are shown on the altarpiece, which Moser painted from Kainisch. Two saint statues—one on each side—adorn the altar. There is a carved Gothic figure, maybe Saint Augustine, on the left and a baroque depiction of Saint Roch on the right. The sculptures came all the way from Bad Aussee.
In 1969, two angel chandeliers and a baroque statue of Saint Sebastian were taken during a breakin. An unidentified donor sent a magnificent St. Sebastian statue that Johann Steinegger of Gößl had painstakingly created. A 1950 ceiling fresco that exquisitely depicts the Holy Trinity, an icon called “Christ the Vine,” a picture showing the adoration of shepherds, and a delicate sculpture of Saint Barbara by Hans Mayerl are among the several artworks housed in the cathedral.
With its freshly acquired seats, cleaned wooden gallery, and harmonium nestled away in the left back corner, the church offers a lovely atmosphere. Beautiful St. Christopher frescoes created by Karl Hauk and restored by Irmgard Schlömmer in 1984 may be seen on the outside front of the building. Memorial plaques honouring individuals who died in both world wars flank the entrance. Overhead the entrance is a lovely picture of the Madonna holding the body of Jesus.
Kaiserlicher Stall
Being a former stable building, the Kaiserlicher Stall is an interesting historical landmark situated in the lovely Styrian neighborhood of Liezen in the scenic Mosern region of Grundlsee, Ausseerland. Situated close to the start of the lake on the front Clausen, this property was formerly a fish master’s residence that was recorded in 1568. The estate at Mosern 19 comprises lovely meadows and green spaces in addition to a farm and a riding stable for the fish master.
The Imperial Stable, so called because it was once the Fischmeistergut, an estate for fish masters, during the “Imperial High Forest era.” One famous judicial paper that appeared in 1787 was “The Vischmeister am Crunglsee hat zwo khuefuehr.” The fish master was granted exclusive ownership of two cows by this certificate, which alarmed forest officials. Each forester on the north and south sides of Grundlsee was allowed to keep a cow in the imperial stable. Hay was stored on the stable’s top floor.
The area was first included into the Federal Treasury in 1928 and then, in 1941, passed to the Reich Forest Administration of the German Reich. Still, in 1947 the property was restored to the Republic of Austria, and in 1952 it was moved to the Austrian Federal Forests again. The building’s use changed throughout time from stable to woodcutters’ payment and storage area.
The Austrian Federal Forests sold the site to the municipality of Grundlsee in 1987 together with the Imperial Stables. Since 1992, the Grundlsee cultural working group has been using the stable and turns it into a summertime location for different shows. Originally limited to one room, more renovations in 1995 resulted in the transformation of two more rooms into exhibition spaces, most notably for the “The Vienna Burgtheater am Grundlsee” show. Since 1996, the hardwood upper floors have been completely available for displays, while the working group uses the brick ground level as a useful workspace and storage space.
A proof of its flexible usage is the Kaiserlicher Stall’s historical development. Previously a stable within the Fischmeistergut, it is currently used for cultural events and exhibitions. The Grundlsee cultural working group has superbly managed this changeover.
Lake Grundlsee
Fed by the Grundlseer Traun, Grundlsee is the biggest lake in Styria, measuring an amazing 4.22 km2. The source of the Traun and a number of lakes, including Dreibrüdersee, Elmsee, Henarsee, Kammersee, Vordere and Hintere Lahngangsee, are all part of the municipal area. Much of the town is subject to stringent enforcement of environmental protection laws, particularly around the Dead Mountains’ salt oven cave. Important Palaeolithic finds from the cave include about 34,000-year-old charcoal. The activities of early human settlements are insightfully shown by these results.
Around its stunning natural bathing beach, Grundlsee offers a range of summertime activities to enjoy. For people that are enthusiastic about the environment and like swimming, diving, surfing, sailing, or sunbathing, it is the ideal location. First stop on a three-lake journey to Toplitzsee and Kammersee is the lake, sometimes known as the Styrian Sea. The place is really alluring because of the well maintained water and the handy bathing beach. Even more freedom is available to visitors who hire boats from a variety of providers.
Apart from water sports, Grundlsee provides a variety of alternatives for active leisure athletes, such as tennis, archery, fishing, skiing and more. Starting your hiking experiences in the Dead Mountains at Grundlsee is a fantastic idea because there are two shelters there that offer a cozy spot to relax, spend the night, and have a nice lunch. In order to satisfy and nourishe tourists, the article ends with a presentation of Grundlsee’s gastronomic options, emphasizing the existence of renowned three-toque restaurants.
Altaussee Literature Museum
In Austria’s Salzkammergut area, Alois Mayrhuber established the Altaussee Literature Museum in 1970, which is a priceless source for literature and regional history. At first housed at the Steinberghaus, the museum was in danger of closing. Nevertheless, with the help of author Barbara Frischmuth, it was successfully moved to the Altaussee Kur- und Amtshaus in 2005.
The collection of the museum includes writings by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Friedrich Torberg, and Jakob Wassermann, all of whom are strongly associated with Altaussee. The permanent display of the museum offers an engrossing fusion of historical items, text and picture materials, and multimedia elements including audio and video samples. To encourage literary engagement, the facility has a bookshop, reading room, book flea market, and literary garden.
Regular readings by contemporary authors at the museum throughout the summer foster a lively relationship between writers and the audience. To enhance the cultural significance of the region, the Literature Museum also serves as the starting point for the fascinating “LiteraTour,” which allows guests to go on a literary journey through Altaussee.
Among the outreach initiatives of the museum is the yearly scholarship program “Salinenstipendium,” which was established in collaboration with Salinen Austria AG. With an emphasis on study related to Ausseerland’s historical topics or authors associated with the area, this sponsorship supports academic endeavors. The “Salinenstipendium” promotes academic study that deepens our understanding of Ausseerland’s rich cultural and literary past, therefore advancing the museum’s goal as a center for intellectual inquiry.
Ranftlmühle
Completed in 1850, the Ranftlmühle is a medieval water mill on the Stimitz in the Ausseerland municipality of Grundlsee’s settlement of Gößl. Originally called “Rotbart-Mühle,” the mill bears the name of Johann Matthias Ranftl, a painter from Vienna who spent many summers at Grundlsee and drew inspiration for his works.
Built mostly of wood, the Ranftlmühle saw major renovations between 2006 and 2011. Concurrent with the rebuilding of the mill block in 2006 using local fir wood were the pillars above the mill wheel. After these initial repairs, in May 2007, the whole roof was reconstructed. The mill wheel was rebuilt over the winter of 2010–2011, and it was then reinstalled in May of the same year. Reconstruction work came to a close on June 11, 2011, when the water supply was installed.
The Ranftlmühle is noteworthy not just for its historical background but also for its connection to Johann Matthias Ranftl, who came to the mill or its forerunner and found motivation for his artistic goals. A historical name for the mill, “Rotbart-Mühle” suggests a link to regional traditions or historical contexts.
2006–2011 saw renovations meant to protect and resurrect the Ranftlmühle. It shows a commitment to area resources and expertise that the mill block was rebuilt using local fir timber. Both the whole restoration of the mill wheel and the rebuilding of the pillars above it show how dedicated the owners are to maintaining the structural soundness and operation of this mediaeval water mill. The whole structure is preserved by the roof replacement as it protects it from outside influences.
