Culture and History

The town of Radstadt, the main hub of the SalzburgerLand's Ennspongau region, lies at 856 metres above sea level on a terrace which falls off on three sides. With Bavarian settlement in the 7th century and the subsequent Christianization of the area, we find the actual beginnings of Radstadt's history. On July 27, 1289,  Archbishop von Hohenegg issued a proclamation conferring upon the citizens of Radstadt ("Cives in Rastatt") those same town rights, privileges and liberties which were also enjoyed by the city of Salzburg and other towns within the archbishopric, also exempting Radstadt's citizenry from all taxes and duties for a period of ten years, with the exception of those expenses which were necessary for the fortification and defense of the town. This same document also contains the civic rights of Radstadt itself and was the occasion for anniversary celebrations in 1989. The stamp above shows a stylized view of Radstadt and its coat of arms.

   

Click on photo to zoom

The area which surrounds Radstadt was settled by the Celts in the 4th century B.C.  It was then occupied by the Romans, with the most important of the Roman roads leading from Aquileia across the Radstädter Tauern to Juvavum (present-day Salzburg City). The actual history of this "old town in the mountains" actually begins with Bavarian settlement in the 7th century A.D.  The origin of the town's name, and whether or not it is of Slavic or Celtic ancestry, remains uncertain to this day - RASTAT (1074), RADESTAT (1092), RASTAT (1139).

In the 13th century, the entire terrace was fortified and, under Archbishop RUDOLF VON HOHENEGG, was granted town rights on July 27, 1289 - the only town in the archbishopric of Salzburg to be located up in the mountains. Because of its strategic importance on the border with Austria, it was granted many privileges and liberties. It was first truly put to the test in 1306 during the struggles with Duke Albrecht of Austria, with the town coat of arms dating back to this time. Slowly, the jurisdictional, market and staple rights were transferred from the parent community of Altenmarkt to Radstadt. Due to many major fires (1365, 1417, 1616, 1781, 1855 and 1865), the town was robbed of many of its historic buildings, to which only today's SCHUSTERTURM (a late-Gothic light pillar dating from 1513) in the cemetery still attests.

   

Click on photo to zoom

The most significant era of Radstadt's history was during the Peasant Wars (1525/1526). Led by MICHL GAISMAIR, 5000 peasants and farmers gathered to lay siege to the town, yet the town stood firm and, as a reward for its loyalty, received the Declaration of Freedoms from  Archbishop MATTHÄUS LANG in 1527, along with its motto "ALWAYS LOYAL". The town's uniformed "Bürgergarde" militia has its origins in this very declaration.

In 1621, a Benedictine grammar school was erected in the former PFLEGBURG. In 1628, the Capuchin order took over the castle as a monastery, remaining so until its dissolution in 1978. In 1731/32, due to the Emigration Edict of Archbishop Firmian,  over 3,000 people were forced to leave the district of Radstadt, with many finding a new home in Eastern Prussia. 

In the first half of the 19th century, the town was alternately under Austrian, Bavarian and French occupation, only becoming crown territory of Austria in 1861. In 1875, the construction of the railway line from Bischofshofen to Selzthal brought a new economic upturn.  In 1938, Radstadt's two separate communities (the town and the surrounding region) were finally united as one.

In order to preserve the heritage which had been handed down to it, Radstadt was the first town in the province to find its entire town declared a protected historic monument.

   

Click on photo to zoom

PAUL HOFHAYMER, a famous son of Radstadt

"An artist, just as Hofhaymer on the organ and Dürer von Nuremberg in painting." This was penned by no other than Teophrastus Paracelsus. To be mentioned in the same breath with Dürer, and this by world-famous physician, Paracelsus, must have put him high on the pedestal of his time 

Paul Hofhaymer (born on January 25, 1459), was famous as an organist and lutist, composer and conductor, inventor of the organ regal and as courtier to Emperor Maximilian. He came from the small town of Radstadt where he attended the Radstadt school for town singers and organists.

He continued his education in Innsbruck at the court of Sigismund "the Wasteful".  From here he came to Emperor Maximilian, with whom he was continually on the road "like a gypsy" for thirty years . Nevertheless, his fame continued to grow. 

In 1515, he was dubbed a knight for his magnificent performance of his TE DEUM in St. Stephen's Cathedral.  Dürer sketched his likeness - as part of the triumphal processions for Emperor "Max"  - also engraving the sketch in copper. His organ play is vaunted as being filled with great power and harmony, but he still was able to find the right musical language for simple folk songs as well.  Paul Hofhaymer died in 1537.

   

Click on photo to zoom

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING & TRANSIT ROUTES

Radstadt (elev. 856 m) lies on a rocky terrace in the Upper Ennstal Valley, flanked by the Dachstein to the north and the peaks of the Radstädter Tauern to the south.
This small, 700-year-old town with barely 5,000 residents is only 70 km from Salzburg City, home of the world-famous festival, and is easy to reach via the Tauern Autobahn and by express train.
Nearest Airport: Salzburg.

FLORA AND FAUNA

The elevation, the soil conditions and the climate of the countryside surrounding Radstadt all promote the flourishing of spruce forests. These are accompanied, to a great or lesser extent, by beech, pine, larch and sycamore. In the town, there are individual pockets of Swiss pine, which are also found in largish numbers on the Labeneck. Very beautiful old trees (maple, chestnut, pine, larch, Swiss pine) stand before the northern town wall. Oaks only appear below Schladming. Drainage, dams and clearing have pushed back the once extensive moorland areas and thickets of alder. Nowadays, pastures cover the valley bottoms, while arable farming plays a virtually insignificant role. Only two meadow names still remind us of the days of barley and flax farming. A relatively large moor has been preserved near Mandling. Peat farming resulted in the reduction of the number of flowering plants. Occasional areas of reeds may also still be found.


   

Click on photo to zoom

In the extensive marsh lands which existed prior to the damming and management of the Enns, numerous migrating visitors, including crane, storks and purple heron, would briefly take up residence. The figure of a heron in the fountain in front of the heritage museum reminds us of those times. With the pushing back of the once marshy forests and the expansion of agricultural areas, the presence of buzzards, rooks and magpies increased. The muskrat is a relatively new arrival, first making its way through the Oichental to Salzburg in 1925. In 1963, a wild boar was hunted down in Altenmarkt. The forests are home to red and fallow deer, while chamois may encountered at higher elevations. Chamois are also found on the limestone slopes of Mandling, e.g. in the Zaimwald forests. On the forest's edge,  we see mating grouse and black cock. In spring, we hear the cuckoo and the woodpecker tapping away on trees. House names still draw attention to the fact that there were once also bear and wolf in this region as well.

CULTURAL RADSTADT

Nurturing culture has a long tradition in Radstadt. Radstadt's cultural bearers of today are primarily artists and a variety of heritage associations involving many of Radstadt's citizens.

   

Click on photo to zoom

The Bürgergarde, a citizens' militia originally formed more than 700 years ago to defend the town, today dons its spruce uniforms to add an eye-catching splash of color to the town's secular and sacred celebrations. The "Gardefest" is renowned far and wide, held annually on the first weekend in August. The Radstadt town band, which cooperates closely with the Bürgergarde, provides the musical backdrop for many a festivity and for funerals. The "Goasstoana" is the name of the heritage society, committed to preserving the town's historical traditions. Furthermore, the heritage society is also dedicated to promoting the town's historical folk costumes. The Radstadt Choral Society is also heavily involved in the cultural sphere, a constant source of excitement to its audiences with concerts of the very highest order. In Radstadt, ancient traditions are still alive and well. Raising the maypole on May 1st is a red-letter day on the cultural calendar, as are the Harvest Festival celebrations in October when, after holy mass, the Harvest Festival crown is borne in a ceremonial procession through the town. Other Radstadt cultural attractions include the heritage museums in Schloss Lerchen and the Capuchin Tower, the parade of cattle returning from high pasture in the second half of September (held every 2 years) and the Krampus revelry which takes place at the beginning of December. With numerous events of the highest caliber, the "Das Zentrum" cultural society underscores Radstadt's position as the cultural centre of the Salzburg Sports World

The people of Radstadt are very proud of the new Zeughaus am Turm, which was dedicated and opened in 1998. This tower is open to the public year-round and, along with the new adjoining building, serves as the venue for an array of cultural events.