History Of Rauris

The Raurisertal is one of the few valleys in the Tauern inhabited all year round. There is evidence that the roads through the Rauriser Tauern (Hochtor) were used by prehistoric people. For example, the Maschlalm revealed a remarkable gold-plated neck ring dating from the La Tène period, around 400 BC. At the market, six silver coins were discovered; three of them were found to be similar to King Philip of Macedon, a well-known Balkan king who ruled from 360 to 336 BC. Notable finds include a bronze sword dating from 1300 BC, a scarab from the reign of Ramses II around 1200 BC, important ancient relics and a small statue of Hercules from Roman times.

Colonization of the valley came from the south. The story begins in the 12th century with the founding of Schwaigen. Rauris is a town with a long history; written references date back to at least 1120. Its name comes from Gaisbach, the alluvial fan on which it was built. The valley was associated with the name Rurise in 1122 when Bishop Heinrich von Freising gave two farms to his brother Count Friedrich von Peilstein.

Like the neighboring town of Gastein, the name is said to have pre-Bavarian roots although its precise origin is unknown. The common Indo-European root *ru/*reu for rivers is also present in the surrounding valleys and could be Slavic or directly Romance.

Since 1230, Wörth has been a main hub for mules and carts connecting the mining area (Hüttwinkl) with the Tauern region to the south.

As the eastern access to the Heiligenbluter Tauern (Hochtor), the Seidlwinkltal had the particular advantage of being open longer than other Tauern passages. Time has not aged the Rauriser Tauernhaus. As with other Tauernhausen in several valleys, the supply and maintenance of mules was vital. Licensing rights were granted to him in 1491.

On the Rauris were the pass and the barrier. This passport office was central to overseeing food and disease control in the Rauris mines. It was also created to prevent alcohol smuggling in the Tauern region. The Rauris valley is home to the only Tauern crossing open in winter. One might naturally assume that the Rauris crossing post was not the only fortification. At 1100 meters above sea level, this place would probably be on a promontory of the Wörthberg, near the current Burgstall farm.

Even in 1706 the barrier was rather dilapidated. After Prince-Archbishop Leopold Anton von Firmian forcibly expelled Protestantism between 1731 and 1733, the Franciscans aggressively sought missionary activity to prevent it from proliferating throughout the country. Protestants from Heiligenblut invaded Carinthia in 1744, leading to efforts to build a guardhouse at Rauris. But since Rauris’ current barrier was so easily broken, it proved useless in this type of situation. The bailiff’s receipt of the brick barrier house and its use as a prison site were also expected. Although military patrols damaged the terrain, plans for a new crossing were ultimately abandoned.

In honor of Saint Michael, Chrysant of Einöd built a chapel in 1203. Finally, following a request in 1339, a new church was built and completed after 15 years. Documents dating back to 1411 also refer to the new construction and conversion of the church. Rauris has been a separate parish since 1858. The parish church of Rauris pays homage to Saint Martin and Jacob.

The growing importance of the valley stems from the earliest accounts of gold mining dating back to 1354. Rauris had its own regional and mountain courts from 1377 to 1802. Mining peaked in the 15th and 16th centuries. The handcrafted houses with bay windows and arched portals bear witness to the wealth of the period. In the 1500s, the valley was home to more than 3,000 residents.

The gold miners have been archbishops of Salzburg since 1636.

The word “market” first appeared in 1478. In 1884, Emperor Franz Joseph officially granted market rights. He received a new distinction in 1928.

Following the Protestant exile of 1732, 166 Protestants from the Rauris Valley were forcibly displaced.

Gold mining in the Rauris and Gastein valleys declined sharply at the beginning of the 20th century. But OBR Dipl.-Ing. Imhof and the Preußische Bergwerks- und Hütten AG (Preussag) led efforts to revive the gold mining industry once the German Empire acquired Austria. However, he was hired in 1944.

Public debate on the possible comeback of gold mining has been rather active lately. Conversely, the communities of the Gastein Valley and the market town of Rauris have strongly opposed this idea, so raising legitimate questions regarding the effect on the tourism and the environment.