Information on Mariapfarr & Lungau Part II
The Lungau enjoys a very special status amongst the various districts of
Salzburg, since it actually finds itself on the eastern slopes of the Alps.
Its inclusion in Salzburg is due to historical, rather than geographical
circumstance. In the south, west and north, it is surrounded by high ranges.
This setting lends it a true high-mountain character. The east and south
are dominated by the rounded shapes of the mountains of the Salzburg - Carinthia
"Nock" region, characterized in part by grassy high pastures that do not
significantly extend beyond the tree line.
The nucleus of the Lungau is a central basin, which is divided by the 1578
metres-high Hoher Mitterberg into two valley troughs in a west-to-east
orientation. In the heart of this inner-Alpine basin, Mariapfarr lies atop a
sunny terrace, the sunniest town in all of Austria. Healthy air, numerous sunny
days without any fog and only little precipitation (approx. 700 mm/year) all
contributed to this town earning the distinction of being designated a "Climate
Spa".
Back in the 19th century, a chronicler described the Lungau as the "captivating
Sleeping Beauty of Austria's Alpine valleys". Over the course of time, the
ranges which envelop it have, on the one hand, often delayed change, innovation
and economic development. Yet on the other, they have served to preserve
the authentic nature of so many special aspects of this region's rural and urban
lifestyle. Due to the scientifically proven benefits of its healthful climate,
the Lungau is an exceptionally popular holiday and recreation area both in
summer and in winter.
The Mariapfarr parish church is first documented in 1225, known then as "Sanctae Mariae in Lungauwe"
and a property of the Salzburg archdiocese. The Mariapfarr Silver Altar or "Gold-Altarl",
a Late Gothic altar and shrine with 106 holy relics, along with a
purportedly miraculous painting of the Virgin Mary, is a magnet for countless
pilgrims and visitors. Together with numerous other art treasures, it represents
the heart of today's Parish & Pilgrimage Museum, where the "Joseph Mohr Room"
also reminds us of the creation of the Christmas song, "Silent Night! Holy
Night!". Joseph Mohr, the librettist, served from 1815 to 1817 as curate for the
parish. Put to paper in 1816, the text of probably the world's most famous
Christmas song is documented to have been created right here in Mariapfarr.
The Mariapfarr "Silver Altar", an art work of world renown - 148 precious stones
adorn this Late Gothic altar/shrine housing 106 holy relics - was donated by the
builder of the Mariapfarr Pilgrimage Church, Pastor Peter Grillinger, on the
occasion of its consecration in 1443. From 1427/30, Pastor Grillinger
commissioned the extremely valuable "Grillinger Bible". It is today the most
valuable treasure held by the Bavarian National Library in Munich.
The Lungau countryside shows us its most beautiful and colorful side in
the autumn, a time when the "Indian Summer" paints many magical pictures in our
landscapes for a period of several weeks, when the summer arises one last time and when,
above the tree line, the winter heralds its approach with a splendid cloak of
white. During these extremely stable periods of good weather (September/October),
which invite us to undertake shorter and more ambitious hikes and tours of the
Niedere Tauern mountains, the mountain maples, birch and rowan radiate in
picturesque tones of color, before they lose their foliage and thus are able to
more easily carry the burdens of a long, harsh winter upon their bare branches.
Nestled amid beautiful mountain landscapes, the Lungau serves up slopes
blanketed deep in snow, along with that fresh, healthy mountain air found at
elevations beyond the 1,000-metre mark. Whether you prefer to discover the
snow-covered mountains on skis, stroll along romantic hiking paths, or
explore the valleys and soak up the sunshine on cross-country skis, your
vacation is certain to remain an unforgettable experience.
A winter hike in the Lungau is a true delight no matter what the time of day.
Snow crystals glisten in the sun, trees and bushes are coated in hoar frost.
The clear mountain air and fairy-tale landscapes are a source of strength for
body and soul.
Information on Mariapfarr & Lungau Part II
