Old Town Schwaz

The lovely ancient town of Schwaz, with its many hidden gems, is well worth a visit. The town plaza and Franz-Josef-Straße lead to Schwaz’s magnificent old town. Because of several structures from the heyday of silver mining, the town has painstakingly and wonderfully retained its medieval flare. A walk around Schwaz’s ancient old town, which is definitely worth visiting, shows how much history is concealed beneath the old structures. The Franz-Josef-Straße goes to the Maria Himmelfahrt parish church via ancient structures. It is Tyrol’s largest Gothic hall church and Europe’s only four-nave church. More than 14,000 copper plates cover the church’s roof alone.

The History of the Old Town Schwaz

The history of the Old Town Schwaz dates back to the 10th century, when the area was part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. The first mention of Schwaz was in 930, when it was a small settlement on the banks of the Inn river. The town grew and prospered in the 13th and 14th centuries, when it became a trading center and a market town, and received the town charter and the coat of arms from the Habsburgs. The town reached its peak of glory and wealth in the 15th and 16th centuries, when it became the center of the silver mining industry, which produced about 85% of the world’s silver and 70% of the world’s copper. The town had a population of about 20,000 people, and was the second-largest city in the Holy Roman Empire, after Vienna. The town also became a center of commerce, culture, and education, attracting merchants, bankers, artists, and scholars from all over Europe.

The town declined in the 17th and 18th centuries, when it faced several challenges and crises, such as the depletion of the ore deposits, the competition from other mines in Europe and America, the wars and conflicts that ravaged the region, and the social and religious upheavals that affected the miners and the citizens. The town also suffered from the fires of 1578 and 1639, which destroyed much of the town, and the earthquakes of 1670 and 1694, which damaged the buildings and the infrastructure. The town lost its economic and political importance, and became a provincial and rural town.

The town revived in the 19th and 20th centuries, when it became a center of industry and tourism, and benefited from the development of the railway and the road network. The town also preserved and restored its historic and cultural heritage, and became a popular destination for visitors and pilgrims, who want to enjoy the beauty and the charm of the Old Town Schwaz.

The Attractions and Landmarks in the Old Town Schwaz

The Old Town Schwaz has many attractions and landmarks that are worth visiting and exploring. Some of them are:

The Fugger House: This is the most impressive and elegant building in the Old Town Schwaz, and was built in 1515 by the Fugger family, who were the richest and most powerful bankers and merchants in Europe. The Fugger House has a Renaissance facade, with a portal, a balcony, and a coat of arms. The Fugger House also has a courtyard, with a fountain and a fresco. The Fugger House was the residence and the office of the Fugger family, who financed the silver mining and the coin minting in Schwaz, and who had close ties with the Habsburgs and the popes.
The Parish Church: This is the main church of Schwaz, and one of the most important and impressive religious buildings in Tyrol. The church was built in the 15th century and features a striking tower, a richly decorated interior, and a magnificent organ. The church also contains the tomb of Archduke Sigismund of Tyrol, who was a patron of Schwaz and a promoter of the silver mining industry.
The Trading House: This is a late Gothic building that was built in 1460 by the merchant Hans Lasser, who was one of the richest and most influential citizens of Schwaz. The Trading House has a Gothic facade, with a portal, a bay window, and a coat of arms. The Trading House also has a hall, with a vaulted ceiling and a fresco. The Trading House was the place where the silver and the copper were weighed, stored, and traded, and where the taxes and the duties were collected.
The Silver Mine: This is the largest and oldest silver mine in the world, dating back to the 15th century. The mine was the main source of wealth and power for Schwaz, which was once the second-largest city in the Holy Roman Empire. The mine is now a museum that offers guided tours that take visitors into the underground tunnels and chambers, where they can learn about the history, technology, and culture of the silver mining industry.
The Freundsberg Castle: This is a medieval castle that overlooks the town of Schwaz from a hilltop. The castle was built in the 12th century by the lords of Freundsberg, who were influential nobles and allies of the Habsburgs. The castle is now a museum that displays various exhibits and collections related to the history, art, and folklore of Schwaz and Tyrol.

The Old Town Schwaz is a splendid and magnificent place that reflects the history, culture, and faith of Schwaz and Tyrol, and the importance and influence of the silver mining industry in Europe and the world. The Old Town Schwaz is a must-see for anyone who is interested in medieval and early modern architecture and art, and in the social and economic life of the town. The Old Town Schwaz is a place that is worth visiting and exploring.

Schwaz, Austria