Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Comprising 1,020 residents, the small Austrian municipality of Heiligenblut am Großglockner is located in the Central Eastern Alps. It forms part of Spittal a der Drau’s Carinthia district. Popular ski resort, old church, and stunning surroundings define this place. Perfectly located 1,288 meters above sea level in the Möll Valley, the community is surrounded by the grand Hohe Tauern mountain range. Rising shockingly 3,498 meters, the Großglockner is the highest mountain in the region. Indeed, it is rightly the highest peak in Austria. The village is somewhat close to the Pasterze, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps.

The local continental climate is marked by mild summers and frigid, snowy winters. The average annual temperature is 6.4°C; July is the hottest month and January is the coldest. With an average of 1,948 hours yearly, the town enjoys plenty of sunlight. The majority of the inhabitants (95.7%), are Austrians; smaller percentages of Germans (2.4%), Italians (0.7%), and persons of other nationalities (1.2%). Though German is the official language, here both German and the local Carinthian Slovene dialect are spoken.

Heiligenblut am Großglockner finds its backdrop in a mediaeval context. The technique gets the moniker “holy blood” from the narrative of Saint Bricius, a Danish nobleman who converted to Christianity in the ninth century thanks to Saint Boniface.

Austrian settlement Heiligenblut am Großglockner has existed since 1253 and boasts a rich history with significant events. Salzburg’s principality included it up until 1803. Though its past is not perfect, the community made great progress in the twentieth century, especially once the Großglockner High Alpine Road was finished in 1935. Apart from turning into a vibrant center of culture and art, the little town has evolved into a paradise for alpinism and skiing. Many creative kinds looking for inspiration in its surrounds have been enthralled by its amazing beauty and unquestionable appeal.

Though any time of year, Heiligenblut am Großglockner is an amazing place; especially in the changing seasons. Heiligenblut am Großglockner is a year-round delight regardless of the winter wonderland, spring blossom display, summer picnic, or autumn leaf tour. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, guests visiting the village can take advantage of a great range of attractions and events.

Visitors to Heiligenblut am Großglockner can arrive by vehicle, bus, train, and airline among other means of transportation. The next airport is Klagenfurt Airport; the closest train station is Mallnitz-Obervellach. Thanks to the cable car service, which also offers a free shuttle bus and a network of tracks for pedestrians and bicycles, guests may readily reach the Gößnitz Waterfall and Fleiß Valley from the town center.

Rich in history, culture, and environment, the little town of Heiligenblut am Großglockner is located in the Großglockner region. Among the area highlights are the lovely 48-kilometer Großglockner High Alpine Road across the Alps, the National Park Hohe Tauern, the educational Glascher Museum, and the magnificent Gößnitz Waterfall. Within the chapel lies a vial containing the blood of Saint Bricius, the hamlet’s patron saint. Daily open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the path offers amazing views of mountains and glaciers. There is no entry cost. Remarkably spanning 1,800 square kilometers, the Hohe Tauern National Park boasts a great range of breathtaking beauties including calm lakes, enigmatic tunnels, and gorges that will astound you. Deeply exploring the area’s intriguing geology, varied environment, rich history, and unique culture, the Glasner Museum The Gößnitz Waterfall is a remarkable natural gem; it drops seventy meters into an amazing canyon. Visitors can appreciate its accessibility and appeal all year long.

Euro (€) (EUR)

Currency

Austria

Country

04824

Area code

1,020

Population

193.53 km2

Area

German

Official language

1,288 m (4,226 ft)

Elevation

UTC+1 (CET)

Time zone

Geography Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Geography Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Tucked in the Central Eastern Alps, Carinthia, Austria’s charming Heiligenblut town presents amazing vistas. Heiligenblut, at the foot of the Pasterze Glacier and at the base of Austria’s highest peak, offers breathtaking natural beauty and simple access to many other sites.

Well-known as the southern end of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a scenic path from Salzburg to Bruck, Heiligenblut is Leading into the municipality, this road—which contains the ancient Hochtor Pass—offers amazing views of the nearby glaciers and mountains.

Apart from the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Heiligenblut presents a range of activities for visitors. Out of all the local attractions, the Heiligenblut-Roßbach-Schareck cable car presents amazing views from 2,606 meters. Apart from an outdoor museum, visitors might appreciate the calm beauty of Lake Kachelsee and the Apriach Stockmühlen mills. Although the area boasts breathtaking waterfalls and reservoirs, it also possesses

Heiligenblut has a special quality since it is close to the railway tunnel connecting to the Fleißalm mountains. A shining example of engineering creativity is this water-filled summer tunnel used as a railway tunnel in the winter. Linking the Fleißalm winter sports area depends critically on ensuring flawless and quick mobility for visitors.

Weather & Climate In Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Weather & Climate In Heiligenblut am Großglockner

The temperature averages 6.4°C; January at -3.9°C is the coldest month; July is the warmest month at 16.2°C. The settlement receives 1,216 milliliters of average annual precipitation; August has 156 milliliters and February has 63 milliliters, the wettest and driest months respectively. Every year, there are 1,948 average hours of sunlight; July boasts 247 hours of sunshine while December has the least cloud cover at 97 hours.

Due to the steep terrain, proximity to glaciers, and high elevation, the climate is humid and cold; seasonal variance in precipitation and temperature results. A range of air masses affects the hamlet as well; the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and continental ones provide seasonal and wind-directional changes in the temperature. These elements can cause events ranging from snowfall to avalanches, thunderstorms to strong winds.

The village records several seasonal weather patterns. Mild precipitation, longer days, and progressively rising temperatures define spring—which runs from March to May. Low humidity, high temperatures, and little precipitation define the driest and warmest summer months—June through August. Autumn (September–November) marks still another transitional season with shorter days, cooler temperature, and more precipitation. Winter (December through February) is the coldest and snowiest season; it is distinguished by low temperatures, few days, and lots of precipitation.

Demographics Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Demographics Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Heiligenblut am Großglockner is a small town in the Austrian Carinthia. The 2018 census counts 1,020 people with a population density of 7.4 inhabitants per square kilometer. The most of the residents are Austrian, then Germans, Italians, and individuals from other ethnicities. The hamlet’s de jure language is German; some of its residents do use the regional dialect, Carinthian Slovene.

Roman Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, and a few other faiths call Heiligenblut am Großglockner home. Low birth rates, high mortality rates, and negative net migration have been driving consistent declining population of the town since 1975. Heiligenblut am Großglockner has a somewhat higher population of adults and seniors than the rest of Carinthia and a smaller percentage of children and teenagers.

The somewhat smaller male-to—female ratio compared to the Carinthia standard essentially assures gender parity. There is a tiny minority speaking Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian, or another language; most of the municipality is German-speaking. While a small portion of people are either non religious or connected with another faith, most people are Roman Catholics.

Economy Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Economy Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Regarding tourism and the economy, Heiligenblut, a municipality in the High Tauern, distinguishes itself from the others. Heiligenblut has several economic structures since most of its staff members work in the “accommodation and catering” business, which is rather important in the “transport” sector.

Being a small community, Heiligenblut mostly depends on tourism to boost his income. Though the number of visitors staying overnight has been dropping, tourists remain a major component of the economy. Reducing from 4.0 days in 2008 to 3.0 days in 2019, the average length of stay is largely responsible for the change. Heiligenblut has two strong tourist seasons unlike those of its neighbors, with February and August hitting highs of around 40,000 overnight stays apiece.

Infrastructure-wise, Heiligenblut is reachable from the Großglockner Road (B 107), which links Lienz to the north and the Großglockner High Alpine Road to Salzburg. The weather limits Heiligenblut’s access to the south for six months, from May to November, and subsequently. Among the nearest cities are Lienz (38km), Spittal (85km), and Klagenfurt (157km). Built in 1986–1987, the Heiligenblut tunnel railway links the Fleißalm ski area in the winter and acts as a water conduit in summer. Heiligenblut does not have a train link, though.

History Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

History Of Heiligenblut am Großglockner

The Duchy of Carinthia town of Heiligenblut boasts a rich and legendary religious past. It was thought to have been carried there by a Danish knight called Bricius in 914 AD, starting its association with a Blood of Christ relic. Legend goes that after an avalanche buried him while crossing the Alps, Bricius hid the relic in an open sore on his calf. On the Heiligenblut coat of arms, three wheat grains peeking through the snow hint that his remains were found in the same place.

In the village sits a Gothic pilgrimage church honouring Saint Vincent of Saragossa. Notable elements of this church, built between 1460 and 1491, are a late-Gothic winged altarpiece from 1520 and a characteristic spire. Bricius’s mortal remains are housed in the church’s holy vault and tomb, therefore augmenting Heiligenblut’s religious legacy.

Rich in religious importance as well as gold mining and transhumance farming, Heiligenblut has a history. Long acting as a main checkpoint on the ancient Roman road and bridle path leading to the Hochtor Pass in the Italian Alps, this site has long It clearly had an influence on Late Bronze Age Hallstatt civilization. Austrian Archduke John started building in the 1800s.

Best Time To Visit Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Winter sports aficionados find refuge from December to March at Heiligenblut am Großglockner. The village’s ski resort, with 12 lifts, 55km of slopes and a snow park, is under focus. Celebratory events include the New Year’s Eve Fireworks, the Ice Sculpture Competition, and the Christmas Market give the winter experience fresh vitality.

Heiligenblut am Großglockner is most lovely from April to June when the snow melts and the flowers blossom. There are lots of paths for bikers and hikers to explore; the surroundings are vibrant and aromatic. The appeal of spring comes from exciting winter sports such rafting, fishing, and horseback riding.

Heiligenblut am Großglockner has its busiest season as summer (July–September) gets ready. The best time to visit is when the Großglockner High Alpine Road opens and the weather is sunny and mild. The cultural and musical highlights of events including the Glascher Pilgrimage, concerts, and festivals are front and center.

The community gains a calm attitude between October and November. It is, predictably, the least busy and most reasonably priced time of year. The scene changes remarkably as the leaves turn shades of red and gold. Visitors might enjoy the calm environment and see the customary cattle drive as they watch farmers bring their cows down from the highland meadows.

How To Get In Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

How To Get In Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Traveling by car gives visitors freedom and convenience that lets them really enjoy the breathtaking scenery and stop at several places of interest. Especially on the Großglockner High Alpine Road, it is interesting to note that the roadways can occasionally be tiny, twisting, and steep. This route is toll-based, hence every car has to pay 37 euros to use it. Drivers should be able to access it, with weather allowing, May through October. Apart from other attractions including museums, wildlife parks, and shows, the road offers amazing views of mountains, glaciers, and valleys. Heiligenblut offers lots and garages for anyone who would want to explore the town by foot or by public transportation.

Regularly connecting to nearby towns and cities such Lienz, Spittal, Klagenfurt, and Salzburg, the ecologically aware and reasonably priced ÖBB Postbus connects Your Heiligenblut bus ticket can be purchased online or at the station; the cost varies according on the season and the distance. The bus station lies in the middle of the hamlet, hence most hotels and attractions are easily reachable on foot. Over the one to four hour bus journey, passengers can take breathtaking views of the mountains and farmland. Public holidays or bad weather could cause bus service to be disrupted, hence it is imperative to verify the availability and schedule.

For travel, the national railway operator of Austria, the ÖBB presents a pleasant and leisureful choice. Heiligenblut’s closest train station is 45 kilometers from the town at Mallnitz-Obervellach. Regular operations of the rail station cover Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck among other locations. Two choices for getting from the town to the rail station are buses and taxis. Usually the trip takes one hour. The train journey might run three to six hours. Travelers on this path will be treated to breathtaking views of the surroundings and grand mountains. It’s advisable to get ready ahead and check the train schedule since it could be more costly and offers less alternatives than the bus.

How To Get Around In Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

How To Get Around In Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Heiligenblut am Großglockner offers several ways of mobility to see the surroundings. Thanks to its unmatched flexibility and ease, the area’s several areas of interest could be quickly and simply visited by automobile. Still drawbacks to consider are tolls, parking fees, and traffic congestion. From Heiligenblut am Großglockner, the beautiful Großglockner High Alpine Road links to the other side of the mountain. Accessing this great road requires a toll payment. Usually open from May to October, the road may open differently depending on the weather. Maintaining an eye on the road conditions and arming your car with the correct winter tires and chains is absolutely vital in the dead of winter.

Lessening the cost and better for the environment is using the bus. The bus service of Großglockner offers simple access to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe viewpoint and visitor center as well as surrounding towns and cities. The distance covered and the bus company will affect the cost of a bus ticket. Those riding the bus might purchase tickets from the driver on the street or at the terminal. The Kärnten Card offers visitors cheap or free access to several public transportation choices as well as attractions.

Riding a bike is a sensible and fun way to get about if you want a quick and exciting kind of mobility. To negotiate the area’s steep and twisting slopes and roads, though, you’ll need a great degree of fitness and experience. You may find many locations to rent or buy bicycles. There are also guided bike rides to some of the most pictures-perfect locations in the vicinity.

While enjoying the amazing landscape, the cable car offers a quick and easy way to attain higher altitudes. Riding the Rossbachbahn or the Schareckbahn, two cable cars, you may find Heiligenblut am Großglockner. See the amazing sights and reach the mountain’s top on the magnificent Schareckbahn ride. The Rossbachbahn will transport you to the Rossbach valley if you’re seeking for a well-liked spot to ski or hike. Season and number of rides you intend to take affect the cable car rates. Either buy your tickets online or go personally to the cable car station. The Kärnten Card also entitles the cable cars free usage.

Attractions & Landmarks In Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Attractions & Landmarks In Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Heiligenblut am Großglockner, a picturesque village in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, hosts entertaining and educational activities that appeal to a wide range of interests. The picturesque Großglockner is more than simply a starting point for mountaineers attempting to summit Austria’s highest peak.

The Gothic church, which dates back to the fourteenth century, stands as a testament to the historical wealth of the town. With its elaborate murals depicting tales from the past and an altar adorned with over a thousand angels, the chapel is a sight to behold for all who visit. Hikers can enjoy thrilling journeys along the Pasterze, one of the longest glaciers in Austria, which gracefully joins the Kärntner River.

The cultural heritage of Heiligenblut am Großglockner is celebrated in a museum located in the village. Insightful analyses of previous civilizations are on display, allowing guests to better grasp the ways in which things have evolved through the years. Skillfully blending local culture with the town’s natural surroundings, the town provides a unique and captivating location.

Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and climbing are just a few of the many outdoor activities available in Heiligenblut am Großglockner. Climbers of all skill levels will find what they’re searching for in this tranquil retreat, thanks to its varied trails and slopes. The town’s distinctive character is emphasized by its historic sites, shops, events, and the Hohe Tauern National Park, which provides opportunities to see lakes, waterfalls, and the St. Vincent Pilgrimage Church.

Ski Resort Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Ski Resort Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Nestled in the Mölltal valley, Carinthia, Austria, the charming town and ski resort Heiligenblut am Großglockner has an amazing natural surroundings and a treasure of historical relics. Part of the Hohe Tauern National Park, the biggest protected area in the Alps, Heiligenblut is situated at the base of the tallest peak in Austria, Grossglockner.

Renowned for its high-alpine terrain and snow-sure conditions, Großglockner’s Heiligenblut ski resort is With its ten lifts, forty-seven kilometers of slopes, and three ski paths, the resort suits skiers and snowboarders of every ability. The longest run on the Schareckabfahrt is eight kilometers; the tough Fleissalmabfahrt boasts a slope of up to 60%. One of the many facilities the resort provides is a freeride arena spanning 1,500 hectares of off-piste terrain, together with a snow park, ski school, rental services, and ski bus.

Apart from skiing, Heiligenblut presents a wide range of winter and summer activities available for visitors. Visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, sledding, and winter hiking among other winter sports. The town hosts a Christmas market, a carnival, and fireworks on New Year’s Eve among other events all year long. This region will be a refuge in the summer for bikers, mountaineers, hikers, and everyone else that enjoys the great outdoors. Beginning in Heiligenblut, the long-distance hiking path Alpe-Adria-Trail winds all the way to the Adriatic Sea via Hohe Tauern National Park.

Food & Drinks In Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Food & Drinks In Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Serving a range of cuisine including homemade strudel and cakes as well as regional delicacies and Italian classics, Heiligenblut am Großglockner’s Café-Restaurant Dorfstub is a friendly and pleasant venue. This restaurant presents amazing views of the nearby town and mountains from its great position in the Glascherlamm area. Christian and Marlies, the landlords, are dedicated to provide first-rate service and guarantee that their visitors will remember their stay.

modern, highly competent Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe’s panoramistic layout calls for 250 chairs and a sun terrace. From traditional Austrian cuisine to worldwide favorites, you might find a range of specialties at its breakfast and lunch buffets.

In Hohe Tauern National Park, rustic mountain cottage Tauernberghütte stands 1,750 meters above sea level. Thanks to his intimate ties to the Heiligenblut hunters, Johann Fleissner-Rieger, the landlord, can wow visitors with his knowledge of rare game cooking. Popular stop for bikers, hikers, and ecotourists, the hut features cozy apartments or dorms fit for up to forty people.

Nestled 2,346 meters in the Schober Group, Hohe Tauern National Park, Elberfelder Hütte is a high-altitude adventure cabin Here you may savor the Milky Way, starry heavens, and amazing views of the neighboring mountains. From approximately the middle of June to roughly the middle of September, the hut offers soups, salads, meat and cheese platters among other things.

Top 10 Hotels In Heiligenblut am Großglockner_Austria Travel Guide
Heiligenblut am Großglockner Travel Guide

Top 10 Hotels In Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Limit your search for a refined and comfortable stay to Nationalpark Lodge Grossglockner. This hotel is sits close to the national park and cable car station; it offers comfortable rooms with balconies and views of the mountains. Before eating in the restaurant, savor the sauna, steam room, and relaxation room of the spa.

Perched on a hilltop, Panorama Hotel Lärchenhof offers amazing views of the village and the grand Großglockner. After a day of sight-seeing, the large, contemporary rooms—some with balconies—offer the ideal haven. Following a spa area sauna, hot tub, and sun terrace relaxation session, savor the creative and traditional cuisine of the hotel.

The Hotel Kaiservilla has cozy, well-lit rooms close to the city’s ski slopes and if you’re searching for a more peaceful setting. Keep your ski equipment dry with the boot drier in the ski room; then, relax in the Finnish sauna or steam room of the hotel.

The lovely chalet Zirbenchalet Grossglockner is ideal for a more solitary trip in a picturesque location. The kitchen, living room, and sauna are all well-equipped; you might unwind in the cosy, homy environment the fireplace and wooden furniture create. People looking for a temporary home will find ideal fit in this cabin.

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Heiligenblut am Großglockner - Info Card

CategoryInformation
LocationNorthwestern edge of Carinthia, at the foot of the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria
Elevation1,288 m (4,226 ft) above sea level
Population1,020 (as of 2018)
Tourism officeHof 4, 9844 Heiligenblut am Großglockner
Postal code9844
Phone prefix04824
Area193.53 km2 (74.72 sq mi) 
EstablishedFirst mentioned in 1271
LanguageGerman (official), Slovene (minority)
License plateSP (for Spittal an der Drau)
Districts & NeighborhoodsApriach, Rojach, Zlapp und Hof
Weather & ClimateAlpine climate with cold winters and mild summers. Average annual temperature is 5.6 °C (42.1 °F). Average annual precipitation is 1,181 mm (46.5 in)
Best Time To VisitDepends on the activities you prefer. Winter is ideal for skiing, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. Summer is great for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. Spring and autumn are also beautiful seasons with less crowds and lower prices
Attractions & LandmarksSt Vincent Church and its relic of the Holy Blood, Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Heiligenblut-Roßbach-Schareck cable car, Stockmühlen mills, Lake Kachelsee, Möll, Gößnitz and Leiter waterfalls, Margaritzen reservoir, Lake Sandersee, Haus der Steinböcke, etc
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