Aschau im Zillertal is a municipality with 1844 inhabitants (as
of January 1, 2020) in the Zillertal and belongs to the Schwaz
district in Tyrol (Austria). The community is located in the
judicial district of Zell am Ziller.
Aschau lies at the
transition from the front to the rear Zillertal, at a narrow point.
Besides Mayrhofen, it is the only community on both sides of the
Ziller. The municipality consists of the main town Aschau and
scattered hamlets on the mountain slopes and on the valley floor.
Aschau was first mentioned in a document in 1309 as "Aschowe"
(Eschenau). The name refers to the extensive riparian forests that
covered the valley floor of the Ziller until the 11th century. The
district Distelberg was first mentioned in a document in 1188.
For historical reasons, the municipality is divided into the
diocese of Innsbruck west of the Ziller and the archdiocese of
Salzburg (Distelberg) east of the Ziller.
1973 Aschau was
united with the formerly independent municipality Distelberg.
Parish Church Mayrhofen. Built from 1740 with church consecration
in 1756 as a replacement for the previous building that had
repeatedly burned down. The green roof of the church tower indicates
that it belongs to the diocese of Salzburg. The "Rose of Jericho", a
ceiling painting by Max Weiler, is particularly worth seeing inside.
Erlebnis-Sennerei Zillertal, Hollenzen 116, 6290 Mayrhofen. Tel .:
+43 (5285) 62713, Fax: +43 (5285) 63712. Milk processing and cheese
production, milk bar, restaurant Open: SchauSennerei &
SchauBauernhof: daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (also on Sundays and
public holidays), last admission at 16:15. On-site sales: Mon to Sat
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sun 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. "Sennereiküche"
restaurant: daily 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., hot meals 11:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m. Different opening times in winter.
By plane
The nearest international airport is Innsbruck
Airport (IATA code: INN, approx. 76 km). Other airports that can be
reached are Salzburg Airport (IATA code: SZB, 181 km) and Munich -
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (IATA code: MUC, 200 km);
By
train
From Jenbach an der Unterinntalbahn (route Kufstein -
Innsbruck) with the Zillertalbahn to the terminus Zillertalbahn, Am
Marktpl. 200, 6290 Mayrhofen. Tel .: + 43 5285 62362.
By
street
From the north from the Lower Inn Valley (Inntal motorway
A12, Kufstein - Innsbruck) and on the B169 federal road through the
Zillertal to Mayrhofen
From the east from Mittersill on the
federal road B168 and over the Gerlospass (toll, approx. Ten euros)
to Mayrhofen.
The Zillertal Valley, where Mayrhofen is located, has evidence of
human activity dating back to the Bronze Age, with archaeological finds
indicating prehistoric settlements. The valley’s name derives from the
Celtic term “Cyllara,” suggesting early Celtic influence, followed by
Roman presence along trade routes. By the 9th century, the region came
under the control of the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg, which played
a significant role in shaping Mayrhofen’s early history.
12th
Century Origins: Mayrhofen’s first documented mention appears around
1200 in tax protocols of the Salzburg Archbishopric, referencing the
village as an administrative unit tied to a “Meierei” (Meierhof), a
court or farmstead managed by the archbishops. The name “Mayrhofen”
likely derives from this Meierhof, possibly linked to an early bishop or
administrator named Meier. The valley’s isolation at the end of the
Zillertal fostered a small, agrarian community reliant on farming and
livestock.
Medieval Development: The Salzburg archbishops maintained
control over the Zillertal, integrating Mayrhofen into their feudal
system. The village’s early settlers likely came from South Tyrol (now
Italy), moving north to cultivate the fertile valley floor. By the 13th
century, Mayrhofen was a modest settlement surrounded by mountains like
Großer Löffler and Zsigmondyspitze, which marked the border with Italy.
The valley’s flat terrain, unusual for Tyrol, supported agriculture and
trade, though its remote location kept it peripheral to major historical
events.
Mayrhofen’s medieval history is marked by its role within the
Salzburg diocese and gradual growth as a rural hub. The Zillertal’s
mining activities, particularly silver and copper in nearby Zell am
Ziller, brought some economic activity, but Mayrhofen remained primarily
agricultural.
14th Century: The oldest surviving buildings in
Mayrhofen, such as timber-framed farmhouses, date to the 14th century,
reflecting Gothic architectural influences. These structures, often
frescoed, indicate a stable community with ties to Tyrolean
craftsmanship.
Ecclesiastical Influence: The Salzburg archbishops
administered Mayrhofen through local courts, with the nearby Pramberg
estate overseeing regional governance by 1801. The church, likely an
early predecessor to the onion-domed parish church, served as a
spiritual and social center.
17th Century Tourism Seeds: The first
inns appeared in Mayrhofen during the 17th century, catering to
pilgrims, traders, and early visitors drawn to the valley’s clean air
and scenery. These establishments laid the groundwork for the town’s
later tourism industry, as city-dwellers from Salzburg and Innsbruck
began visiting for health and leisure.
The 19th century marked a pivotal shift for Mayrhofen, as the
Zillertal Valley became a cradle of Tyrolean tourism. The Romantic
movement’s emphasis on nature and alpine landscapes drew urban elites to
the region, transforming Mayrhofen from a farming village into a
burgeoning resort.
Early Tourism: By the early 1800s, Mayrhofen’s
reputation for pristine air and dramatic scenery attracted visitors from
across Europe. The town’s location at the end of the Zillertal, near
peaks over 3,000 meters, made it ideal for summer retreats. Inns
expanded, and guide services emerged for hiking and mountaineering.
Administrative Changes: In 1801, Mayrhofen fell under the administrative
control of Pramberg, reflecting Tyrol’s integration into the Austrian
Empire after the Napoleonic Wars. The 1816 Treaty of Munich solidified
Tyrol’s place within Austria, stabilizing the region after Bavarian
occupation (1805–1814). Mayrhufen’s governance remained tied to Salzburg
until Tyrol’s administrative reforms later in the century.
Cultural
Identity: The Zillertal Valley became famous for its alpine folk music,
with Mayrhofen as a cultural hub. The 1833 composition of “Silent Night”
in nearby Oberndorf (though not directly tied to Mayrhofen) reflects the
region’s musical heritage, which persists in festivals like the
Mayrhofen Street Festival (held annually on the last Friday of July).
The early 20th century saw Mayrhofen’s transformation into a
year-round tourism destination, driven by infrastructure improvements
and the rise of winter sports.
Zillertalbahn Railway (1902): The
completion of the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn railway, connecting Jenbach
to Mayrhofen, revolutionized access to the valley. The railway, still
operational, facilitated tourism by linking Mayrhofen to Innsbruck (90
minutes away) and other Tyrolean hubs. Steam trains and bus services
further integrated the valley, with stops at Zell am Ziller, Fügen, and
Kaltenbach.
Winter Sports Emergence: The Zillertal’s high peaks,
including the nearby Hintertux Glacier (3,250 meters), made Mayrhofen a
winter sports hub. Early skiers and mountaineers, including locals like
Peter Habeler (a renowned mountaineer born in Mayrhofen), popularized
the region. The town’s first ski slopes were developed on Mount Ahorn
and Mount Penken, setting the stage for modern resorts.
Cultural
Growth: By the early 1900s, Mayrhofen hosted over 1.3 million overnight
stays annually, ranking among Austria’s top 10 tourism destinations by
absolute numbers. Its traditional Tyrolean architecture—timber chalets
and frescoed buildings—blended with new hotels, creating a charming
alpine aesthetic.
The post-World War II era cemented Mayrhofen’s status as a premier
ski resort, driven by infrastructure investments and global tourism
growth.
Cable Cars (1950s): The first cable cars, including the
Ahornbahn (Austria’s largest, with 160-passenger capacity) and
Penkenbahn gondola, were built in the mid-20th century, providing access
to Mount Ahorn and Mount Penken. These lifts transformed Mayrhofen into
a ski destination, with 142 km of pistes and 61 lifts by the 21st
century.
Ski Area Expansion: The Penken area, linked with Finkenberg,
Rastkogel, and Eggalm, became one of Austria’s largest ski domains,
featuring the Harakiri piste (78% gradient, the steepest in Austria).
The Ahorn area catered to beginners and families, while the Hintertux
Glacier offered year-round skiing. The Zillertal Superskipass,
introduced later, connected Mayrhofen to 671 km of pistes across the
valley.
Snowboarding Culture: In the 1980s, Mayrhofen emerged as a
snowboarding hub, with local pioneers like Thomas Eberharter shaping the
Vans Penken Park, one of Europe’s top snowparks. The park’s eight areas,
from beginner to pro, attracted international freeskiers and
snowboarders, earning Mayrhofen a reputation akin to Kitzbühel for
alpine skiing.
Mayrhofen’s modern history is defined by its evolution into a
vibrant, year-round resort, balancing tradition with innovation.
Snowbombing Festival (2000–Present): Launched in 2000 (initially in
Risoul, France, before moving to Mayrhofen), the Snowbombing music
festival, held every April, became a global draw for electronic music
fans. Featuring top DJs and artists, it combines skiing, snowboarding,
and nightlife, boosting Mayrhofen’s appeal to younger audiences.
Zillertal 3000 and MOUNTOPOLIS: In the 2000s, Mayrhofen’s ski areas
merged with neighboring resorts to form the Ski & Glacier World
Zillertal 3000, offering 200 km of slopes. The MOUNTOPOLIS brand,
encompassing Penken and Ahorn, emphasizes adventure with attractions
like the Harakiri slope, PenkenPark, and FunRide Ahorn.
Summer
Tourism: Mayrhofen capitalized on its summer potential, with hiking
trails, mountain biking (e.g., Tyrol Mountain Bike Safari), and
attractions like the Zillertal Adventure Dairy, where visitors learn
about cheese production. The Zillertal Alps Nature Park, with guided
tours and the Nature Park House in Ginzling, showcases the region’s
flora and fauna.
Cultural Preservation: The Strasser Häusl Museum, a
few kilometers from Mayrhofen, preserves 18th-century rural life, while
the Erlebnis-Sennerei (since 2015) educates visitors on traditional
farming. The Adlerbühne Ahorn, a birds-of-prey center at 2,000 meters,
adds a unique attraction.