Page 234 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

232  A USTRIA REGION b y REGION

9 Bischofshofen fortifications, built by the town was almost entirely rebuilt.
archbishops of Salzburg, The Neo-Gothic Domkirche,
Road map D4. * 10,000. @
£ Tel (06462) 2471. have remained intact. the cathedral of St John the
The surrounding area boasts Baptist (1861), is acclaimed as
The Celtic settlement that many small, beguiling castles, the most outstanding work of
stood on the site of the present including the Renaissance Neo-Classicism in the Salzburg
Bischofshofen was once a Schloss Tandalier, southwest of area. Its architects were Georg
centre of the copper mining the town. Schloss Lerchen, in Schneider and Josef Wessiken.
trade; the area was also rich the centre of town, shows some The charming carved altarpiece
in salt mines. Colonization of traces of original, 13th-cen tury (1530) in adjacent St Anna’s
the region started well before architecture; today it houses Chapel has late-Gothic wooden
recorded history and traces a regional museum. figures of saints. Some 5 km
of ancient cultures (3 miles) south of the town run
can be found Environs: East the torrential waters of Grossarler
everywhere. of Bischofshofen Ache, a rapid mountain stream
The town is runs Radstädter that winds through the scenic
dominated by the spire of Tauernstrasse, one of the Liechtensteinklamm.
St Maximilian’s Church, most scenic roads in the Alps.
reputedly built on the site A vast skiing area extends on
of an older church both sides. The Rossbrand w Wagrain
established by St Rupert, (1,770 m/ 5,807 ft), rising Road map D4. * 3,000. @ £
founder of Salzburg. The walls north of Radstadt and Tel (06413) 8448.
are decorated with accessible by car
15th-century frescoes, St Rupert’s Crucifix, via the Rossbrand Wagrain, situated at an altitude
and next to the Neo- Bischofshofen Panorama Street, offers of 800 m (2,625 ft), is the centre
Gothic side altarpieces astonishing views of of a highly developed winter
stand the original Gothic figures more than 150 Alpine summits sports area known as Ski
of St Rupert and St Virgil. In the on a clear day. Alliance. This vast terrain extends
south arm of the transept between the Tennengebirge
stands a Baroque altar with a q St Johann and Radstädter Tauern mountain
picture of St Anna attributed ranges, and includes several
to Lienhart Astl (c.1520) and im Pongau villages connected by good
a relief on the predella of Christ Road map D4. * 11,000. @ public transport links, funiculars
and the 12 apostles dating Tel (06412) 6036. and buses. One ski pass is valid
from the same period. The most throughout the entire area,
valuable historic relic in the The largest town in the giving the holder access to
church is St Rupert’s crucifix. region, St Johann im Pongau is some 260 ski lifts and 860 km
This simple, gilded cross, a popular resort, visited for its (534 miles) of pistes, suitable for
encrusted with precious stones, excellent skiing conditions in intermediates and beginners.
was given to Bischofshofen in winter and its plentiful facilities Year-round fun in the water
the 12th century by the for swimming and walking is guaranteed by the Amadé
Archbishop of Salzburg. in summer. Water World’s all-weather pool.
Bischofshofen is renowned Little remains of its original The most interesting place is
for its excellent ski-jumping buildings due to a series of fires Zauchensee, the highest village
hills. Every year, on 6th January, in the 19th century; the present in the region (1,361 m/4,465 ft).
the final event of the world-
famous Four Hills Ski-Jumping
event takes place on the largest
of the slopes.

0 Radstadt
Road map D4. * 4,800. @ £
Tel (06452) 7472.
The small town of Radstadt
grew up around a 13th-century
fortress on the banks of the
Enns river. Its wealth hailed from
its propitious location on the
road to Venice, and its monopoly
position in the wine trade.
Radstadt also had a licence to
stock iron and salt. Its medieval View of the town and cathedral in St Johann im Pongau
Picture-postcard Hohenwerfen fortress, near Werfen

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm