History Of Haus im Ennstal

Starting in the early Middle Ages, Haus im Ennstal boasts a rich and varied past. Haus, which means a guesthouse or a place of hospitality, comes from the Latin word “hospitium. This implies that Haus was a midway point for pilgrims and visitors headed toward the 1074-founded Benedictine monastery of Admont. Haus was first mentioned in a record in 928 when German King Henry I gave the bishop of Salzburg the territory. After being included into the Duchy of Styria, Haus was run under the direction of the Lords of Haus, the Counts of Walsee, the Counts of Hardegg, and the Counts of Salm-Reifferscheidt among other noble families.

Haus im Ennstal was also a centre for mining and ironworks in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Extracted from the surrounding mountains, the iron ore was handled at the local smelters and hammer mills. The iron goods then were moved to other areas along the Enns river. Haus also claimed a flourishing trade and handicap industry, with markets and many guilds. Along with a wall, the town was guarded with four gates, two towers, and a moat. Built in the Gothic style in the 14th century and then rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century, Haus’s main church is dedicated to St. Michael. The church boasts many artistic gems including the early Gothic crucifix, late Gothic winged altar, and Baroque organ.

Wars and many natural disasters define the history of Haus im Ennstal. Fire in 1493 destroyed most of the town and the church. Emerging in 1525, the peasant rebellion against the feudal system besieged Haus. During the Thirty Years’ War, the Protestant troops of Ernst von Mansfeld pillered and attacked Haus. Fire in 1750 once more devastated the town and the church. During the Napoleonic Wars in 1800, Haus was under French army occupation. The Allied bombings on Haus in 1945 marked the end of World War II and caused extensive damage to many buildings.

Additionally noted at Haus im Ennstal was the evolution of tourism and winter sports in the 20th century. The first ski club opened in Haus in 1909; the first ski lift built in 1924. On the Knappl hill in 1939, Haus staged the first international ski jumping event. Haus was included into the Schladming-Dachstein ski area in 1958, which offers 52 ski lifts and 115 km of slopes. Important ski events including the World Cup alpine races and the women’s World Championship events in 1982 have taken place at Haus. Haus is also known for its customs and cultural legacy, which includes the annual market festival, nativity scene exhibition, and deanery museum displaying upper Enns valley religious and folkloric relics.