History Of Mayrhofen
Origins and Early History
Most likely, the earliest immigrants in the Mayrhofen region came from the south over the Joche. They gave pre-Germanic names such Ziller, Stillupp, Tux, Zemm and Floite. These names suggest that the area had plenty of rich ground and water supplies. Mayrhofen has origins in an episcopal Meierhof, a sizable estate or farm controlled by Salzburg’s bishop. First referenced in a Salzburg Archbishopric document in 1200, the site was
Mayrhofen belonged to the main team of Pramberg, today’s Brandberg, until 1801. From then on it seen as an independent major team from which the municipality of Mayrhofen developed throughout time. A core team comprised of farms that shared similar rights and responsibilities including taxes paid, road maintenance, and military duty. Like the remainder of the Salzburg Zillertal, Mayrhofen joined Tyrol in 1816 during the Congress of Vienna. Originally a crown territory of the Austrian Empire, Tyrol subsequently joined Austria-Hungary.
Many Mayrhofen family among other Zillertal Protestants (Zillertaler Inklinanten) had to flee their own country in 1837. Their theological views deviated from the official Catholic dogma, hence they were punished. They left for Silesia, Prussia, then the United States, where they established Indiana’s Goshen town. Some of them went back to Mayrhofen following the Edict of Toleration in 1861, therefore allowing religious freedom to Austria’s Protestants.
Tourism and Modern Development
Developed with the Berliner Hütte, which first opened in 1879, more refuges in the Zillertal Alps soon followed. Built by Berlin division of the German Alpine Club, the Berliner Hütte was the first alpine cabin in the Eastern Alps. Attracting numerous mountaineers and adventurers who found fresh paths and summits in the nearby mountains, it drew Opening in 1902, the Zillertal Railway gave even another incentive for travel. It linked Mayrhofen with the main railway system, therefore facilitating visitor access to the town.
The thousand-mark ban had a notable drop in Mayrhofen’s overnight visitors. Nazi Germany instituted a restriction in 1933 wherein foreign guests had to pay a charge of 1,000 Reichsmark (approximately 400 US dollars at the time) to enter the nation. Many visitors, particularly from surrounding nations, were therefore deterred from visiting Germany and its acquired lands, including Austria, rather effectively. Famous German writer and pacifist Erich Kästner spent three months in the town in 1945 and observed the end of the war there. at his book Notabene 45, he compiled his experiences at Mayrhofen.
Lift building (1954 Penkenbahn, 1969 Ahornbahn) let Mayrhofen expand into a well-known holiday destination worldwide. Cable cars called Penkenbahn and Ahornbahn respectively carry skiers and hikers to the slopes and paths of the Penken and Ahorn mountains. They provide amazing views of the valley and the neighboring mountains. Another well-known event hosted by Mayrhofen is the Snowbombing festival, an annual music and winter sports event with thousands of guests worldwide.
Awards and Partnerships
Mayrhofen become a market town in 1969. Usually implying a certain degree of economic and social relevance, a market town is a town with the right to organize a regular market. The society received the “Honorary Flag of the Council of Europe” in Strasbourg in 1973. Promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law inside Europe, the Council of Europe is an international body. The flag comes to represent European identity and solidarity. The Council of Europe conferred upon Mayrhofen the “Plaque of Honor” in 1989. The monument honours the town’s successes in promoting European collaboration and integration.
The Austrian Association of Municipalities presented Mayrhofen with a prestigious prize in 1980 for outstanding townscape and environmental care. Municipalities that show a great degree of dedication and inventiveness in safeguarding and improving their natural and cultural legacy are awarded the prize. Mayrhofen is renowned for its green areas, flower-filled balconies, and classic buildings.
Mayrhofen is on close terms with the cities of Cabourg (France), Bad Mondorf (Luxembourg), Chur (Switzerland), Terracina (Italy), and Bad Homburg (Germany), having founded the 1st European Partnership Ring. Comprising cities with shared values and interests like tourism, culture, and education, the cooperation ring is a web. Particularly among young people and students, they plan frequent visits and exchanges among their residents.
Since 1947, Mayrhofen has been a site of German language instruction. Cooperation with the University of Innsbruck drives international university language courses. Along with cultural and leisure activities, the courses include intense and engaging language education. They welcome students from all backgrounds and levels who wish to enhance their German language competency and experience Austrian way of life.
