Schladming-Austria | Emblematic and Famed Recreational Resort of Styria.


The name Schladming,a notorious centre of Austria is often and frequently mentioned for the recent Alpine World Ski Championships celebrated not a long time ago but that emblematic and famed recreational resort of Styria also has a long history to narrate and with all its natural and historic beauties it is certainly a notable and great tourist destination to choose or insert in your itinerary if you are planning to visit that magnificent Austrian corner.

With its approximately 4,600 inhabitants,that stunning site is situated approximately at 170,0 kilometres north-west from the appealing city of Graz the Capital of that captivating State and at 99,0 kilometres south-east from the fabulous Salzburg birthplace of Mozart crossing the beautiful and picturesque valleys in proximity of Huttau and Radstadt along the A10 Mototway leading to the splendid Haus im  Ennstal a picturesque small centre highlighted by its scenic verdant landscapes.

Surrounded by fascinating and majestic peaks such as the Planai and the groups of the Schladminger Tauern,the Murau Tauern and the Dachsteingebirge which all together form a kind of splendid natural crown around that Austrian municipality situated in the district of Liezen.

Since a long time ago the fame of that place is superb thanks to a high quality in terms of incoming flows and boasting a distinguished reputation for a a network of services consisting in comfortable and equipped accommodations,superb facilities and outstanding connections and infrastructures extremely appreciated by every visitor.

Notable is the wide range of excellent Hotels,Apart Hotels and apartments linked to a wide variety of other Hospitality structures developed in the last decades and combined with many restaurants,bars and shops which all together permit Schladming to be an ideal place to spend enjoyable holidays and pleasant stays all year.

That resort is a kind of icon which has gained fame and prestige on Travel Guides,Media and Alpine Tourism spots and brochures promoting that resort  in many International Fairs worldwide thanks to a great job of the Austrian National and Steiermark Tourism Boards launching it as one of the most trendy places to visit and enjoy in the entire state.

The first thought about that emblematic place immediately goes to the beautiful Austrian Alps of Styria and that town which is since long time ago a very distinctive symbol for Winter Sports hosting the Ski Alpine FIS World Cup but also great to visit in other seasons thanks to numerous things to do and recreational outdoor activities which can be practised in its boundaries satisfying a large number of visitors with different tastes and exigences.

Its mountain the legendary and charming Planai gave the world the chance to discover that centre which at the beginning of  its long history was a tiny Alpine village and later mainly known as a mining centre.

The history of that wonderful centre of Styria is very long and that land was inhabited since prehistoric times.Settled many centuries ago by Celtic populations before to be colonised by the Romans who incorporated the current state was part a vast region called Noricum which was in a period one of the most flourishing and prosperous set of villages and towns which formed a relevant network of trade also highlighted by a considerable artistic and cultural life.

The local territory was a dream of conquests by many populations and several civilisations such as Visighots, Ostroghots,Lombard,Franks,Slavic and Hungarians landed there due to its strategic geographic  position in the heart of Europe making it a desired hallway between the German and Slavic countries opening from there new commercial routes along territories which year by year were becoming a considerable gateway to new European horizons.

 A relevant historic period started in medieval times exactly in the 12th century under rule of the Carinthian Duchy which also ruled the current Slovenia.The former settlement became since those times an important cross point of merchants who across the Tauern mountains on which were developed several strategic paths serving the traders reached during their trips several notable centres highlighting a very busy geographic area.

If you take a simple look of an Austrian map you will notice that Schladming is exactly in the middle of a circle with all around very important cities such as  Salzburg,Villach, Klagenfurt and Graz and including with a splendid access to the Tyrolean Alps  via Zeel Am See and Mayrhofen and its Capital Innsbruck.(If you are interested I wrote a post about that splendid city and another one regarding the mentioned Zell am See too.)

The 14th century corresponded to the times of a consolidation of the former centre with all the main routes further developed and the former municipality increased its fame also thanks the discovery of  rich mines which changed its history.

The notoriety of that centre acquired a relevant importance for the different metals extracted by its mountains such as nickel and cobalt but also a notable quantity of silver,copper and lead.Since then Schladming played an important role at international level about the miners rights and it is in that town which was written and presented the first document to protect the rights of that hard work in the early 15th century,exactly in the year 1408.

Despite that official signed act in the 16th century took place a big revolt of those workers and Ferdinand I of Hapsburg,Archduke of Austria as punishment deleted in a reform all the privileges of the town obtained over a century.

That centre was incorporated under the administration of the nearest Grossming but continuing to be a very active and productive site despite other riots of the population which saw as offencive such politic change continued to be alive generating several clashes with the Imperial rulers.

 The local golden ages although the mine resources notably enriched the Austrian Empire with the discovery of others suffered in the 19th century a considerable decline when those activities related to the extraction of minerals were interrupted for reasons of profitability.

The fall of an entire economy which was mainly based on such source was saved by the construction of the railway in the year 1875.With that new connection the trains could reach that resort and since then started a new life which linked that centre of Styria to another industry : the Tourism.

In a short time the current resort became and important and famed holiday destination,the beautiful landscapes,the Alps and an uncontaminated atmosphere gave many people the opportunity to spend enjoyable times in contact with a natural environment absolutely stunning and also starting to be a trendy and leading site for winter sports.

After the 1st World War the State of Steiemark lost some territories which were according a new design of the European maps assigned to the current Slovenia but it was not the case of that town which remained a municipality linked to Austria continuing to be a well known place for many Austrian citizens who decided with frequency to visit it.

In the year 1938 Schladming as all Austria was annexed to the German Third Reich until the end the 2nd War when was rebuilt the Osterreicher Republik the Republic of Austria after a slow recovery of a country which suffered several damages and was starting a new era with many politic and economic changes.

The centre of the town is arranged in a very compact way on the eastern shore of the river Enns which offers along its course beautiful views.Rosegerstrasse at north and Salzburgerstrasse at south are two long avenues which lead to the municipal core crossing that waterway permitting a easy and fast access to all the most strategic points to start a visit.

Schulgasse and Berggasse are also two other important streets which are a sort of belt of the centre,the first at north runs in an area in which you can find a good number of Hotels and at a short distance from  Hauptpaltz the main square of the town while the second one is situated in the southern side of the urban boundaries leading to the Planai Hochwirzen Bahnen the Planai station in which you can start to enjoy the Alpine Ski slopes.

The exit of the town is located at north of historic core in proximity of Ennstalstrasse an artery which directly leads to the motorway flanking the river Enns.

The attractive centre  has a relevant historic patrimony and you can start the visit from Schladming Rathaus,the Town Hall consisting in a wonderful building erected in the 19th century by order of Prince August of Saxony-Coburg.

That beautiful construction was developed in two periods visible by the Renaissance and Baroque architectonic elements used to embellish that structure.The Renaissance inspirations is from the lines and details took by a traditional an elegant Manor Palace with an ample light red facade highlighted by a majestic tower as part of the structure and inserted in the middle surmounted by a polygonal roof .

On both sides you will notice three lines of rectangular windows placed on different levels while the central tower has two long windows and that structure has clear Baroque details.

The Coat of arms of Schladming which you will see there is to pay homage and remembering the prestigious past of mine town depicting a miner with a hammer and chisel placed over the entrance of the building and visible is also the Crest of the Couburg the noble family who used that palace as hunting lodge during their stays in that Austrian territory.

Next to the Rathaus in the nearest park you can see an engraved stone and a tombstone with a plaque representing a  double monument erected in the 16th century,a local patrimony consisting in a former stoned block corresponding to the foundation of the municipality.

The letters you can see  are two B a Z and a S and that composition means Burgerschafts Burgfriedstein a  honour for the peace and healthy economy the citizens gave the town while the depicted hammer and pick you can see engraved on that stone represent the iconic symbols of the  miners' tools.

Another emblematic building of Schladming is the Alte Post,a traditional Styrian building consisting in a huge house with a a scenic gable roof.The ample light facade has a charming arched entrance door and a series of windows arranged on three levels with decorated shutters.Notable are the fine lines used to define the contour and shape of that structure and the symmetry of the architectonic elements in the layout of its front side.

The name Alte Post derives from the old Post Office which occupied that building since 1808.Today that site is called Gasthof Zur Alten Post and it is a charming guesthouse offering a very comfortable stay in a great location of Schladming.

About that historical theme linked to the local mines,in the square Hauptplatz you can see a monument in memory of that activity commemorating the revolt of the miners in 1525 against the reforms of Ferdinand I of Hapsburg.

The monument consists in a stoned block surmounted by another bridged element supported by four stoned spheres and it is certainly something of relevant linked to the flourishing period of the town in the 16th century but also reminiscent of the struggle of his citizens to defend their rights.

Also in that charming square is situated the Bezirksgericht the District Court,a sober building which presents on its facade two lines of huge rectangular windows and also on its high front side was developed a dark roof in perfect harmony with the rest of the design and execution of such structure.

That construction was erected on a rectangular plan in the 19th century by order of Johan Ritter Von Gersdoff who was an important local figure owner of several mines and a character closely related to the high spheres of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire and furthermore well known as a distinguished mineralogist.

That square is considered the beating heart and focal point of Schladming and on it was elevated the former Rathaus,the old Town Hall which was hosted in a building until the year 1849 you can see today there highlighted by an ample facade and currently occupied by a couple of shops on its ground floor.The aspect of that structure well preserved presents a charming balcony,windows with green shutters and a rectangular doorway leading to a splendid vaulted portico.

The Heiliger Florian is a monument dedicated to St.Florian situated in proximity of Siedergasse.It is a stoned Chapel covered by a small roof and and with an arched structure containing behind a small iron gate the statue of St.Florian with a flag,a relevant work by a sculptor called Helmuth Simonleher.

Katherine Kirche is the local Catholic Church since a long time ago.That Sacred Temple dedicated to St.Catherine was rebuilt in the 16th century on a previous dating back medieval times.It is a wide construction erected on a long rectangular plan painted in ochre colour with vertical white lines and with a series of scenic arched vaulted windows on its wall.

The light red roof although in contrast with the colour of the facade gives that Church a very particular charm and one of its highlight is a magnificent bell tower survivor of the former building erected in the middle ages. Completed by arched windows and developed in an eclectic renaissance style topped by a wonderful onion dome of vague Byzantine inspiration with a pinnacle and a small iron Cross on the top it is certainly one of the best Ecclesiastic architectonic buildings existing in Schladming.

The interior is highlighted by a beautiful Baroque altar with works by local artists and on one side next to the sacristy you can also see an image dating back the 17th century depicting Matthias Von Katzpeck a famed figure related to the local mines.

 Close to the cemetery adjacent to Katherine Kirche you can admire a charming small Church called Anne Kapelle dedicated to St.Ann.That Religious construction dating back the 17th century but due to a fire was devastated and restored twelve years later.

Anne Kapelle was mainly used as ossuary and in the main facade confirming all that you will notice some marble tomb slabs of one of the most prominent families linked to the mines business the family Katzpeck who started a relevant activity in the 16th century.Today that site also hosts events,celebrations,concerts, music performances and concerts thanks to its excellent acoustic.

Next to Church you can admire the Stadttor which represents an ancient gate and former section of the fortified walls erected around the town.Also called Salzburg Tor,the Salzburg Gate,that name was given because immediately outside that point of the walled perimeter of the old core started the road leading to the splendid city of Mozart.

That construction consists in an ample stoned wall with two arched doors adjacent to the buildings lined on both sides and on the top you can see the Coat of Arms with the historic and legendary date : 1322.
The walls of the town today are not preserved in their totality apart Stadtor there is only one tower of the former four which were built to establish the old defencive system checking from their summits all the cardinal points.
 
Evan Kirche is another local Ecclesiastic monument consisting in the Protesstant Lutheran Church of Schladming.It is  splendid example of traditional Austrian Baroque developed on a pretty large base in a white tonality with high curved windows on the walls and completed by a gray gable roof.

Very relevant for its lines and imposing aspect is its majestic tower dating back the 19th century erected on a square plan and developed o three blocks.The first is an high element topped by a kind of square wall with arched windows and surmounted by another turret with a watch and as terminal was placed a conical gray roof with a golden pinnacle.The interior has an ample central nave and the main highlight is a splendid altar developed in the second half of the 16th century.

Reissinger Haus situated at a short distance from that Sacred building is a charming house painted in light colour with several stylish windows on its walls and a charming balcony flanked by a Baroque tower covered by a conical dark roof.That stylish construction was residence of some distinguished local figures and one of them was Johan Ritter Von Gerstdorff who built the District Court.

At the end of Coburgstrasse walking east from Hauptplatz outside of the old town you can admire Olympiastadion Planai Ski,a very modern and futuristic glass building result of an inspiration taken from a space station showing a flattened shape which seems a launching pad for spacecraft and satellite missiles.

That area is particularly famous because in the past hosted the Alten Markt,the old market and probably it was also the site in which born the first former agglomeration of the Alte Stadt,the old town which began its development in medieval times.

In proximity of the river Enns,a short distance from Salzburgstrasse you can reach Bruderladehaus the current Stadtmuseum,the Town Museum situated in the street Talbachgasse.That exhibition represents  the history of the town and of the mines recalling all the chronological events of what linked to the first economic resource of that centre of Styria and worth a visit simply to learn more about the activity which gave Schladming an extreme relevance.

Erected in the 17th century,that attractive building is highlighted by two balconies arranged on two levels and it is also historically famous because in the past hosted widows and orphans of the miners and including workers with severe problems of health.

Not far from Erzhetzof Johannes Strasse outside the centre east to the river Enns you can see as in the major part of the towns of Central Europe which were part of the old Austrian-Hungarian Empire the Pest Kreuz consisting in a monument with a white wall and  a crucifix remembering the victims of the plague of the year 1716


The history of Schladming is obviously linked to Alpine Ski with an emblematic and distinctive tradition.If Kitzbuhel (I wrote a post in the case you are interested about it) can be considered the Queen of the Austrian Alpine Ski,Schladming could be without hesitation awarded with the the title of Princess.

Birthplace of several champions as Josef Walcher World Champion at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1978 (if you are interested I wrote a post about that splendid German resort) but also of Hans and Bernhard Knauss and Michael Trischer champions of prestige with medals and successes at the most high level in several competitions,that resort has always lived that sport and activity with enthusiasm writing important pages in the history of winter sports.

Schladming is well known because it inaugurated its first Ski Lift in the year 1973 and it hosted famed competitions related to the Alpine Ski World Cup in numerous occasions.An event which elevated furthermore the image of the resort in the top ranking was undoubtedly when it was seat of of the Alpine Ski World Championships celebrated in in the year 1982.Certainly a  great C.V if you add another superb event as the Special Olympics hosted in 1993 and several times place of World Cup stages in the International calendar.

Schladming as you know hosted the Alpine World Ski Championship 2013 a great event for that town of 4,600 inhabitants.What are the secrets which made and make so captivating and successful Schladming regarding Winter Sports and Tourism ? The answer is simple : many.

Those secrets are a sum of brilliant features,one of them is of course an excellent geographic position,a very short distance from Salzburg and in addition Germany,Slovenia and Italy are not far and another aspect is a constant great organisation in every area of tourism and hospitality.

The services and facilities provided  by Schladming are absolutely outstanding in terms of information,the chance to practise different kind of sports and a very active cultural tourism also linked to its secular history and furthermore excellent connections with the International Airport of Salzburg Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

That resort despite it is a centre developed on a human scale boasts over 115,0 kilometres of Alpine ski slopes and 25 Official Ski slopes tracks.Same number in terms of ski lifts.You can find there Black,Blue and Red tracks and all that means the opportunity for everyone from the beginners to the intermediate skiers and ending with the most experienced skiers including masters and professional athletes to have the chance to have a stunning set for skiing.

The excellent presence of  a big number of snow machine arranged all along the slopes network providing the presence of fresh snow every time is another superb quality highly appreciated by all people  who decides to spend holidays in winter season skiing in a place so well organised.

The Planai with Hochwurzen, Reiterhalm, Kaibling all mountains which form that famous network called Schladming Vier Berge Schaukel provides different areas and sub areas inserted in that huge ski space called Espace Salzburg World Sport Amadé or also Schladming-Dachstein Ski Resort,that second denomination took by the name of a spectacular glacier part of that large territory.

That stunning and giant system is subdivided in different slopes developed in different geographic points  including Gastein,Amade,Grossarl and Hockonig among others.It offers the sensational presence along its vast surface over 760,0 kilometres of tracks and  270 lifts.

 Planai slopes are certainly the icon of the resort also highlighted by its complex which boasts WM Park Planai one of the bigger underground parkings of the globe.Wide tracks,very challenging with steep sections and straights,those pistes are ideal for experienced skiers who can also enjoy those wonderful 4,6 kilometres used for the the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup competitions.

Hochwurzen also offers stunning  tracks,ideal for everybody including for families with children.In that area you can find spaces with blue slopes ideal for beginners but also for snowboarders and highlighted by a toboggan space approximately 7,0 kilometres long,a perfect place to have fun and spending enjoyable times in a very pleasant scenery.

Another very important aspect gave Schladming its prestige is the expert staff who prepares the tracks in a impeccable way.The quality of the snow is always practically perfect and never there are strange blocks of sharp ice spurs,the skis on those surfaces slip and run with a perfect adherence on the snow.

Ski Schools are another highlight with a superb tradition and  the Franz Tritscher Schule offers everything with excellent masters all with awards and high experience to teach skiing at all levels,so if you want to have lessons that is one of the right places ideal to start to practise Alpine Ski.

The resort also offers opportunities for all people who loves other spectacular specialities such as Freestyle and Snowboarding with specific slopes to practise those trendy activities.Including Nordic Ski is present with approximately 260,0 kilometres of tracks suitable to practise that so great sport born in Scandinavia in an Alpine paradise between forests and mountains with plain sections and challenging climbs.

That famed recreational resort of Styria also offers several chances to enjoy many other activities and Mountain Bike is one of them.The town for some years hosted the Downhill World Cup and in the year 2010 only for the works due to the preparation of the Alpine Ski World Championships the competition was moved to another town of Austria called Leogang.

The local routes regarding that spectacular sport are an authentic attraction,many are very challenging and  developed in forests,other along mixed and dirt trails with long straight with different level of altimetry beneath magnificent mountains which are a striking frame so spectacular and loved by the fans of such sport who can be delighted by such magnificent natural image around them.

Cycling on road is another incentive for all people who wants to discover the beautiful landscapes of the district of Liezen and the same is for who wants to enjoy hiking,trekking and climbing there is an endless list of spaces in the boundaries of that centre to fill your days during a stay with a vast alternative of things to do.

In addition great are the excellent chances to play Golf in the 18 hole Golf Club at Oberhaus and the Sport Complex of Schladming provides a beautiful swimming pool.

In that resort there are Hotels and accommodations of different category many of them very close to the ski slopes so a brilliant option for every visitor to choose the most suitable  and appropriate regarding costs, exigences and location.

 In addition once there in the case you want to move to visit other sites and leaving your car in the parking of your accommodation enjoying a day without driving,the town has its Bus and Train Station with the brilliant opportunity to reach several destinations.

The cuisine of Styria has its excellent traditional specialities reflecting the spirit of a culinary art which always expressed divine flavours and genuine ingredients.A famous recipe is a  delicious pancake very common in all that area and called  Heidensterz.

Very appreciated is the trout prepared in different styles which is a gastronomic highlight just like the iconic national plates the Schnitzel,a delicious breaded fillet served with vegetables or potatoes and  the Knödeln sort of dumplings served in soups or accompanying meat and stews.

Absolutely great in Austria despite of Hungarian heritage is the excellent Gulash and the Tafelspitz which is boiled veal meat combined with sauce or a kind of gravy.You will find in that corner of Styria a wide selection of suppen among them the typical Zwiebelsuppe consisting in an onion soup,the Nudelsuppe a soup made by pasta pasta or the Gemusesuppe prepared with a large variety of vegetables.

Austria is paradise regarding bakery,cakes and desserts and it is not difficult to find in Schladming everything about that noble Austrian tradition such as the famed Strudel, Apfelstrudel,Sachertorte,Krapfen and also the famed delectable Palatschinken.Notable is also a local fine wine a Rosé called Schilcher of excellent quality and very appreciated by many people.

The nearest airport as previously mentioned is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Flughafen International Salzburg Airport and you can reach the resort in approximately one hour driving and taking the A10 motorway via Werfen and Bad Vigaun you will be at destination. 

That Princess situated in the heart of Austria is a destination you can choose all year,the charm of its captivating old town,all the spectacular mountains which surround that Austrian gem are a marvellous frame for that emblematic and famed recreational resort of Styria which will offers you many things to do every day.

Schladming is one of the diamonds of a land which boasts several attractions,a place to enjoy and choose without hesitations,charming and captivating at first sight with its natural and historic beauties and one thing is certain that after an enjoyable welcome and once ended your stay there,you will remember it for all the pleasant times you spent in such great resort.

Francesco Mari


Recommended Accommodations in Schladming

Aparthotel Ferienalm
Hotel Mitterhofer 
Hotel Zum Kaiserweg
Sporthotel Royer
Posthotel Schladming
Hotel Aqi Schladming
Hotel Alpine Club

Recommended Restaurants in Schladming

Gasthaus Brunner
Gasthaus Vorstadt Stub´n
Gasthof zue Alten Post 
Restaurant Die Tischlerei
Restuarant San Daniele


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