Page 252 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

250  A USTRIA REGION B Y REGION

the Napoleonic wars, when
the Tyrolean highlanders fought
for their independence from
the Bavarians and the French.
A monument commemorating
the battle now stands in front
of the church of St Lawrence.
This church, built in 1748, is
Baroque in style and has
interesting stucco decorations,
vault paintings, a main altar with
Baroque sculptures and an
attractive medieval statue of
the Madonna.
Wörgl’s location between
the two popular tourist regions
of Kaisergebirge and the
Kitzbühel Alps makes it a
Charming flower displays outside the Alpine houses in Alpbach convenient base for winter
and summer expeditions.
8 Alpbach 9 Wörgl
Road map C4. * 2,600. n (05337) Road map C4. * 13,000. 0 Söll
21200-30. ∑ alpbachtal.at n Bahnhofstrasse 4a, (05332) 76007.
Road map C4. * 3,500.
Proclaimed the most beautiful The industrial town of Wörgl, n 050509-210.
village in Austria, Alpbach is at the fork of Inn river and
located in a high mountain Brixentaler Ache stream, is Söll, a small town in the foothills
valley, 1,000 m (3,280 ft) an important road and rail hub. of the Hohe Salve, part of the
above sea level. Its charm is The earliest settlement on the Wilder Kaiser (Wild Emperor)
undeniable: traditional wooden site, revealed by archaeological massif, grew around the church
chalets and Alpine houses, finds on the northeastern of St Peter and St Paul. Built
their balconies brimming outskirts of town, date from in 1361 but completely altered
with colourful flowers, the Bronze Age. In later years in the Baroque style in 1768 by
are surrounded by this was the site of a Roman Franz Bock of Kufstein, it con tains
lush cow pastures, settlement, and in the beautiful vault paintings by
unspoilt woodlands 4th century a Christian Christoph Anton Mayr and, by
and beautiful community was the same artist, a picture of the
mountain scenery, founded in the area. Madonna in the main altarpiece.
making Alpbach a In the 13th century The town has many attractive
picture-postcard Wörgl belonged to houses with picturesque façades.
destination. Bavaria; during the The greatest attraction of
It is also one of reign of Maximilian I Söll, however, is the Hohe Salve
Austria’s most it finally became mountain, rising to 1,828 m
popular ski resorts, Monument to the Battle of incorporated into (5,997 ft) and visible from every
offering a range of 1809 in Wörgl Tyrol. Wörgl and its point in the town. Two gondolas
cross-country environs were the provide transport to the summit.
skiing trails and ski slopes. scene of fierce fighting during There is a small chapel here,
The terrain is gentle and and the view over
undulating, making it perfect Brixental, the Kitzbühel
for beginners and families. Alps and the High
During the summer months Tauern Mountains
cycling, hiking and even para- in the distance,
gliding are major attractions. is truly majestic.
The little town also has the Söll lies at the
interesting church of St Oswald. centre of a large skiing
Its earliest records date from region, Skiwelt Wilder
1369, although it was altered in Kaiser-Brixental, in
1500 and the Baroque interior the southern part of
dates from 1724. The naves Kaisergebirge. It is one
have ceiling paintings by of the most extensive
Christoph Anton Mayr (1751); ski regions in Europe,
the sculptures in the presbytery and includes the
(c.1779) are the work of Franz nearby towns of
Xaver Nissl. Visitors sunbathing on Hohe Salve, near Söll Scheffau and Ellmau.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp298–9 and pp323–4

250-251_EW_Austria.indd 250 12/09/17 2:46 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm