Economy Of Stuben am Arlberg

The first reference to Stuben dates back to 1330, where it was mentioned as a post office known as “the emperor’s highest room.”Legend has it that the name Stuben originates from the phrase “warming room.” Stuben served as the final stop for rest and contemplation before reaching the Arlberg pass. It also functioned as the last refuge for travelers, mules, and carters during the harsh winter months.

At the Diet of Ulm in 1218, Hugo I von Montfort granted the Johanniter in Klösterle the area surrounding Stuben. This was done with the purpose of establishing and managing accommodations for travelers passing through the Arlberg Pass.It is reported that these chambers were built on a small slope in front of their current location, close to the chapel.

During the 14th century, when the Werdenbergs were in power, there was a significant increase in traffic and the movement of commodities across the Arlberg Pass. As a result, the pathways underwent renovations and were widened to accommodate the growing demand.The main goods transported included salt from the Salzkammergut and Hall in Tyrol, as well as linen from Thurgau, specifically Constance linen from the Diocese of Constance.The increased traffic in Stuben resulted in an economic boom. This can be seen in the establishment of the Hospice St. Christoph am Arlberg and the Brotherhood of St. Christoph by Heinrich Findelkind in 1386.

In 1542, Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, the bailiff of the lordship of Sonnenberg and Bludenz, issued an order letter.This guide provides instructions on how to effectively maintain a clear roadway, which includes techniques for breaking through thick snow.The parish of Stuben was established in 1666.

The economic earning potential in Stuben has declined over the years for mule drivers and carters due to changing traffic patterns, such as those on the Fernpass. However, the completion of the Arlberg Pass road has brought about a new wave of growth and opportunity.The Arlberg Pass underwent significant upgrades and restoration during Maria Theresa’s government in 1760. Subsequently, the government of Joseph II undertook extensive reconstruction efforts from 1782 to 1784. The result was the opening of a new road on December 27, 1785, which came to be known as the Arlberg Pass Road or Josephine Street.

Stuben experienced a brief economic boom due to the rapid growth of the textile industry in Vorarlberg and eastern Switzerland, along with increased postal traffic. However, this prosperity was short-lived as the construction of railways across Europe made transportation over the Arlberg Pass more challenging, ultimately leveling off the economic growth in Stuben.The opening of the Arlberg Railway from Langen to St. Anton in 1884 brought about a significant improvement in the tranquility of the Stuben post office area.

The town experienced a revitalization with the introduction of winter sports at the beginning of the century, followed by the advent of motorized private transportation after World War II.The completion of the Arlberg motorway and road tunnel successfully alleviated traffic congestion. However, the economic costs incurred were balanced out by the thriving tourism sector.