Attractions & Landmarks In Mühlbach am Hochkönig
Mühlbach am Hochkönig offers a wonderful combination of historical sites, recreational activities and natural beauty in Salzburg, Austria. Since the mountains of the mighty Hochkönig mountain range surround the city, it attracts nature lovers, hikers, skiers and history buffs. Many interesting aspects of Mühlbach am Hochkönig are listed here:
Spanning four mountain peaks, the stunning Königstor hiking trail showcases the diverse Alpine scenery. Start your adventure. The route offers views of forests, meadows, lakes and glaciers through several difficulty levels and well-marked paths. There are small huts along the way that provide a place to stop and have drinks. The Konigstour starts in Mühlbach, Dienten, Maria Alm or Hinterthal from June until October.
Discover the region’s mining past at the Bergbaumuseum, a 16th-century museum still open today. Featuring tools, equipment and even a tour through an old mine, the museum offers a window into the life and work of miners housed in a former mine shell. From May to October, guided tours are offered in German and English and provide an overview of the local mining sector.
The Karbachalm cable car will give you access to a mountain pasture with panoramic views of the Steinerne Meer, a rocky plateau resembling a sea of stones. In addition to a café and a playground, Karbachalm is a starting point for hiking and cycling trails. From May to October and from December to April, the cable car gives access to Toni’s Alm Adventure Park, where guests can relax, climb and practice archery.
Discover the Liechtensteinklam, one of the longest and deepest valleys in the Alps, created by the Grossarler Aachse River over thousands of years. Walking along a wooden path beside the river allows visitors to see rock formations and waterfalls, testament to the power and mystery of the environment. Access to this stunning natural wonder, which is open from May until October, requires an entrance fee.
One must-see site is the Festung Hohenwerfen, a medieval fortress located on a hill overlooking the Werfen. Built in the 11th century, the castle has had many functions over the years and today is a museum showcasing local history and culture. Events and shows inside the castle add to the experience; A bird of prey exhibit with owls, hawks and eagles highlights the castle. The castle is open from April to November and is easily accessible by bus, car or funicular.
Mühlbach am Hochkönig Mining Museum
The Mühlbach am Hochkönig Mining Museum in Pongau is evidence of the great contribution made by Mühlbach am Hochkönig to the history of European mining, and thus to the history of the state of Salzburg. The museum embodies this rich tradition by showcasing one of Europe’s major copper ore deposits as well as its 4,000-year mining legacy along with a viewing tunnel.
Copper ore was first extracted and purified more than 2000 BC; It was then used continuously throughout the Bronze Age until about 800 BC. In Bischofshofen, Götschenberg shows more ancient traces of metallurgy and mining. At more than 190 known melting sites in the Mitterberg distribution area, including the Trockenbach Extension, there are slag fragments, some dating back more than 4,000 years. It is worth noting that the copper used in the Nebra Sky Disc, a historical relic displaying the first known European depiction of the sky, came from Mühlbacher Mitterberg. This disc, made of Mühlbacher-Mitterberg brass, was found alongside an important European archaeological find known as the “Ötzi”. From 800 BC until their return in 1827, mining operations were suspended.
With meticulous precision, the Mining Museum represents two historical periods of copper ore mining and smelting, and presents stunning photographs of Mitterberg’s copper products, tools and working practices. Aside from mining activities, the museum uses a large area for the many minerals found in Mühlbach. Exhibits from other Salzburg and Austrian sites add to this comprehensive exposure and thus allow comprehensive awareness of the abundance of minerals in the region.
The mining past of Mühlbach am Hochkönig is important not only locally, but also on the wider European scene. The viewing tunnel adds an immersive experience that clearly shows the difficulties, inventions and cultural impact of thousands of years of mining activity, thus enhancing the museum’s story. Through its carefully selected exhibition, the museum successfully conveys the complex procedures used in extracting and refining copper ore, thus enabling visitors to have a physical link to the industrial heritage of the region.
Aside from being a historical artefact, the museum’s collection of copper goods, tools and artefacts highlights the technical achievements and ingenuity of the people of Mühlbach am Hochkönig over thousands of years. Furthermore, the museum’s focus on the many minerals found in Mühlbach promotes a more complete geological knowledge and thus increases visitors’ respect for the natural riches of the region.
Parish Church of St. Sebastian
The parish church of Mühlbach am Hochkönig is located in Pongau, which is the Church of St. Sebastian. Built in the late Gothic style, it was completed in 1637 after financial constraints and unrest caused by the Peasants’ Revolt between 1519 and 1525. Originally founded as a branch dedicated to Saint Sebastian of the Parish Church of Bischofshofen,
Surrounded by a cemetery since 1785, the church underwent changes in the late 19th century with the addition of a new Gothic tower and a change to the Baroque interior between 1881 and 1888. The facility was rebuilt in keeping with Old English ideas in the late 1960s, which included the removal of certain neo-Gothic features such as the high altar.
The interior received major renovations between 1998 and 2000, including the construction of a new organ gallery, the installation of a flat roof with ornamental fields, and the reorganization and restoration of the artwork. A major turning point came with the 2003 installation of the organ, a gift from the Benedictine Archbishopric Monastery of St. Peter in Salzburg.
Salzburg artist Karl Weiser gifted the choir with three stained-glass windows in 1969. These windows show the Transfiguration of Christ, the arrival of sin into the universe, and the crucifixion of Jesus. Neo-Gothic images of saints, with the martyrs John and Paul on the outside and Saints Barbara and Catherine in the centre, line four columns above the altar. Since the Middle Ages, the latter, the Holy Helpers, have been of particular importance; Saint Barbara is the patron saint of miners.
Located in the chancel are the church’s oldest pieces of art: a late 15th-century Gothic statue of Saint Robert and a Baroque monument to the Archangel Michael from the early 18th century. Furthermore, the altarpiece features sculptures of the scourged Jesus and Our Lady of Sorrows from the early 18th century.
Baroque artwork abounds in the nave. Among them are a 17th-century Madonna with the Child Jesus and a crucifix from 1689. The north wall shows the original high altar painting with Saint Sebastian. An unnamed artist produced 14 of the late Baroque crucifixes that line the walls of the nave.
During the summer, the church has four columns on the walls that stand out from each other by their swirling tops and colorful wool bands. Different from the Lungau prang columns, which are in bloom, these prang columns are processions over the Body of Christ, the Assumption of Mary, and the Thanksgiving feast bearing prang columns, thus increasing the ceremonial aspect of the church’s customs and festivals.
Riedingtal
The Riedingtal, nestled in Mühlbach am Hochkönig, stands as a captivating high valley on the southern slope of the Hochkönigstock. Accessible via a hiking trail from Erichhütte towards Arthurhaus or a more straightforward supply road branching off from Mandlwandstraße, this valley offers a picturesque escape.
Locals may reach Redingtal along the described trade route, which also includes an alpine grazing area called Redingalm. This area contains alpine buildings and is the site of summer Alpine agricultural activity. Furthermore, the lodge improves the valley’s appeal and utility. One should note that the huge beech trees that mark the entrance to the Redingtal are natural monuments found in Salzburg.
Aside from its ease of access, Ridingthal’s appeal comes from its strategic location on the southern slope of Hochkönig, which offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. This small high valley will be attractive to visitors seeking natural beauty and peace due to the panoramic views that underscore its charm.
Historically, the North Ridinghall Center was based in Ridinghall and included a venue for international ski jumping competitions. This school had a great influence on the education and training of the prominent Salzburg ski jumpers and teachers Bobby Bradl and his comrades. The environment still shows remains of former ski jumps, which is evidence of the valley’s great importance in the history of winter sports and the legacy of skiing’s past.
