Economy Of Murau
Murau is a small town in western Styria, Austria, with about 3,600 inhabitants. Especially for fans of winter sports, the administrative center of the Murau district is a favorite tourist destination. Murau is also known for its cultural heritage and brewing customs, which originated in the fifteenth century.
Tourism: The Main Driver of Murau’s Economy
Unquestionably, tourism is the main driver of economic development in Murau; it generates 40% of the employment and almost 60% of the total value added. Murau mostly welcomes guests from Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic as well. The main attraction is the adjacent Kreischberg ski resort, with 42 km of slopes, 13 lifts, a snow park, a tubing arena, and a ski jumping hill. Here have already been several international events including the 2015 and 2023 FIS Snowboard and Freestyle Ski World Championships. The resort offers biking, hiking, golfing, and many more summertime sports as well.
Murau boasts a brilliantly preserved historic center with many Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings. Built in 1682 and honoring the town’s release from the Ottoman siege, the Mariensäule dominates the central square, Schillerplatz. From here, one wanders through the meandering lanes and alleys of the old town, where one can marvel at the distinctive inner courtyards, multicoloured, ornate portals, and strikingly vivid façade of the historic homes. Among Murau’s most loved architectural icons are the following:
- Schloss Obermurau: Originally mentioned in records in 1250, the aristocratic Liechtenstein family owned this castle overlooking the town until the later part of the 16th century. The Schwarzeneberg family, who still live here, built the present Renaissance palace between 1628 and 1643. Wednesdays and Fridays bring guided tours of the castle from June to September.
- St. Matthew’s Church: Between 1284 and 1296 Otto von Liechtenstein, the great minnesinger Ulrich von Liechtenstein’s son, constructed this Gothic parish church. Among the few crossing tower churches, it boasts a high altar from 1698, a wooden pulpit from 1515, and an opulent interior with many paintings and sculptures from the fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries.
- Holzmuseum: The Holzmuseum presents the customs and history of the forestry and wood processing sectors of the region. It resides in an eighteenth-century former grain store. Among the more than 30,000 displays in the museum are a nature trail, a demonstration workshop, tools and machinery as well as furniture and art pieces.
- Burg Grünfels: Perched above the town, the remains of this mediaeval castle offer a broad view of the Mur valley. Built 13th century, the castle was destroyed by fire in 1524. From the town, a hiking trail winds to the ruins of the walls, towers, and gatehouse.
Among the athletic and cultural activities Murau hosts annually are the Murau Classic Car Rally, Murau International Music Festival, and Murau-Kreischberg Marathon. These events attract visitors and media coverage, so supporting the local identity and culture.
Brewing: The Oldest and Most Famous Tradition of Murau
Apart from another important and distinctive sector in Murau’s economy, brewing adds to the pride and sense of identity of the town. Founded in 1495, the Murauer Brewery is the largest and oldest brewery in Austria situated in Murau. The Murauer Bock, Weizen, and Märzen are among the beers the brewery makes from malt and spring water from the nearby area. The brewery offers tastings, museum visits, and guided tours as well.
The Murauer Brewery is a creative and ethical business as well as a profitable one. The brewery runs solar power and biomass among other renewable energy sources to satisfy its needs. It supports nearby farms and suppliers and lowers waste generation and water consumption as well. These deeds taken together show its dedication to sustainability. Funding R&D, enforcing strict quality standards and controls, and obtaining many accolades and certifications including the DLG, the IFS, and the ISO 9001 has shown the brewery’s dedication to excellence. As part of their social responsibility, the brewery also sponsors several local cultural and social events including the Murau-Kreischberg Marathon, the Murau Classic Car Rally, and the Murau International Music Festival.
Apart from a producer, the Murauer Brewery advocates Murau’s brewing legacy and customs. The brewery organizes and participates in several events and activities, including the Murauer Bierfest, the Murauer Bierkulturwochen, and the Murauer Bierakademie, so informing and entertaining the public about the origins, manufacture, and consumption of beer. The brewery also partners with other regional groups including the Murau Tourism Association, the Holzmuseum, and the Holzwelt Murau to promote cooperation and increase knowledge of Murau as a beer enthusiast destination.
Agriculture: The Backbone and the Future of Murau’s Economy
Agiculture is Murau’s third economic pillar; it also forms the basis of the town and provides future development impetus. About seventy percent of Murau’s territory is used for farming, which also generates most of the employment and income for many families in the city. Apart from that, other sectors including tourism, wood, and brewing depend on agriculture as their main source of raw materials and resources. Murau’s surroundings, culture, and identity also define in great part agriculture.
The great quality and diversity of Murau’s agriculture set it apart. Murau produces a great variety of agricultural products, including dairy, meat, honey, and herbs, on several farm kinds: organic, family, alpine, and mountain farms. Murau also provides a variety of agricultural specialties, each with a distinct taste and scent: Murauer Bergkäse, Murauer Almkäse, Murauer Ziegenkäse, each based on goat, sheep, or cow milk. Murau also boasts a large spectrum of agricultural certifications and labels, including the Gutes vom Bauernhof, the Bio Austria, and the AMA-Gütesiegel, which attest to the quality, provenance, and production standards of the goods.
