Brixlegg is a market town (since 1927) with 3,012 inhabitants (as
of January 1, 2020) in the Kufstein district of the state of Tyrol,
Austria. The community is located in the judicial district of
Rattenberg.
The municipality of Brixlegg is located in the
Tyrolean Lower Inn Valley at the entrance to the Alpbach Valley. It
is one of the oldest settlement areas in the Lower Inn Valley.
Brixlegg can be reached via the A 12 Inntal motorway and the Lower
Inn Valley Railway with a S-Bahn connection (see Brixlegg station).
The municipal area includes the settlements in the valley floor
Brixlegg and Mehrn as well as the slopes on the right side of the
Zimmermoosbach.
The first documentary mention as Prisslech
comes from the Notitia Arnonis from 788-790, a list of goods of the
Salzburg Archbishop Arn. A copy of it from the second half of the
12th century has survived, the original has been lost. The relevant
position is:
In pago qui dicitur Inter Valles: ad Ratfeld
ecclesia cum territorio, ad Prisslech similiter ('In the Gau, which
is called “Between the Valleys”: in Radfeld a church with land, in
Brixlegg as well ‘). The 'Zwischenentalgau' roughly corresponds to
today's Lower Inn Valley.
The place name comes from the
Celtic * brig-s-, which means 'hill'.
During the heyday of
copper ore mining, the largest smelting works in Tyrol stood here
(prince smelting works, today mining works).
During the
Second World War, the site was largely destroyed by bombing. The
approximately 150 m long railway bridge was also the target of
several bombs and was ultimately blown up. It was rebuilt in 1948.
The Grasegg and Lanegg residences and the coppersmith's house from
the 17th century have been preserved.
Parish Church of Our Lady with the cemetery chapel
The parish
church of Brixlegg is slightly elevated in the market town of
Brixlegg in the Kufstein district in Tyrol. The Roman Catholic
parish church, which is subject to the patronage of Our Lady,
belongs to the deanery in Reith im Alpbachtal in the Archdiocese of
Salzburg. The church and the cemetery are under monument protection.
According to records, there was a parish in 788, later a branch,
and again in 1891 a parish. The Gothic church from 1508 was
consecrated in 1520. The interior of the church was baroque in the
middle of the 18th century. 1974/1977 was a restoration.
The
church building, which has been modified in the late Gothic and
Baroque style, has a nave, a clover leaf choir and a north tower.
The church is surrounded by a cemetery with a cemetery chapel and a
war memorial.
The high altar from the end of the 18th century
shows the altarpiece Marriage of the Virgin Mary painted by Kaspar
Waldmann in 1692. The organ was built by Karl Reinisch’s heirs in
1948. Johann Heinrich Wickrath mentions a bell in 1689.
Filial church of St. Bartholomew with the Mehrner healing spring
below in Bad Mehrn
Chapel Mariahilf, also Maria im Grünwald, east
on a hill
Chapel on the Mühlbichl
Schwarzenberg Chapel in
Zimmermoos
Wolfenkapelle
Lanegg Castle
Storage box on the
banks of the Inn
Former plague cemetery
Tyrolean mining and
steelworks museum - is dedicated to the historical mining tradition
Overview
Brixlegg is a small town in the Kufstein District of
Tyrol, Austria, located in the Lower Inn Valley at coordinates
approximately 47.43°N, 11.88°E. It's well-connected by public transport,
with its own train station on the ÖBB network, making it accessible from
major Austrian cities and nearby countries. The nearest major airport is
Innsbruck (INN), about 44 km away, followed by Salzburg (SZG) at 93 km
and Munich (MUC) at 103 km. Travel times vary by mode: flying in and
transferring takes 1-2 hours from Innsbruck, while trains from Vienna
take around 3-4 hours. Always check real-time schedules on oebb.at for
trains or vvt.at for buses, especially in winter for potential delays.
By Plane
Fly into one of the nearby airports and continue by
train, bus, or car. Innsbruck Airport (INN) is the closest at 44 km
(about 40 minutes by car or train).
From Innsbruck Airport (INN):
Take bus F to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (20 minutes), then a regional train
to Brixlegg (30-40 minutes, €8-12 via ÖBB). Taxi or private transfer
costs €60-100 and takes 35-45 minutes. Rental cars are available at the
airport for the drive via A12 highway.
From Salzburg Airport (SZG, 93
km): Bus 2 to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (15 minutes), then train to Brixlegg
via Wörgl (1.5-2 hours, €20-30). Driving takes about 1.5 hours via A8
and A12.
From Munich Airport (MUC, 103 km): S-Bahn to Munich
Hauptbahnhof (40 minutes), then train to Brixlegg via Kufstein (2-3
hours, €30-50). Direct drive via A93 and A12 takes 1.5 hours. Shuttles
like Four Seasons Travel offer transfers from €50/person.
Other
options include Memmingen (FMM) or Bolzano (BZO) for budget flights, but
transfers are longer (2-3 hours).
By Train
Brixlegg has a
station on the Lower Inn Valley Railway, served by ÖBB regional and
S-Bahn trains.
From Vienna: Direct or with one change at Wörgl or
Jenbach; 3-4 hours, tickets €30-65. Depart from Wien Hbf.
From
Salzburg: Regional train via Wörgl; 1.5-2 hours, €15-25.
From
Innsbruck: Direct regional train; 30-40 minutes, €8-12.
From Munich:
Via Kufstein; 1.5-2 hours, €20-40.
Book via oebb.at or
thetrainline.com for discounts. The station is central, with connections
to local buses.
By Bus
Regional VVT buses connect Brixlegg to
nearby towns and stations.
From Jenbach (train hub): Bus 602; 20
minutes.
From Wörgl: Bus or regional train.
From Innsbruck: Bus
650 via A12; about 1 hour.
Long-distance options like FlixBus
stop in nearby Kufstein or Innsbruck. Use the VVT app for schedules;
fares €5-10 locally.
By Car
Driving offers flexibility in the
alpine region. Brixlegg is off the A12 Inntal Autobahn.
From
Innsbruck: Take A12 east toward Kufstein, exit at Brixlegg (40 km, 35
minutes).
From Salzburg: A8 west to A93 south (Germany), then A12
west to Brixlegg exit (120 km, 1.5 hours).
From Munich: A8 south to
A93 south, then A12 west (130 km, 1.5 hours).
Austria requires a
vignette (toll sticker) for highways; buy at borders or online. Winter
tires mandatory November-April. Parking in Brixlegg is available but
limited in the center.
Other Options
Taxis/Rideshares: Uber
operates in the area; from Innsbruck Airport, €60-80. Local taxis via
apps or stands.
Cycling/Hiking: The Inn Cycle Path runs through
Brixlegg for eco-friendly arrivals from nearby towns.
Shuttles: For
ski season (near Alpbach), services like Alpbach shuttles from stations.
Prehistoric Period
The history of Brixlegg, a market town in
the Kufstein district of Tyrol, Austria, is deeply intertwined with
mining, dating back to prehistoric times. The territory was
inhabited by ancient Celtic populations before being integrated into
the Roman province of Noricum. Archaeological evidence indicates
that copper mining in the Eastern Alps, particularly in the
Schwaz/Brixlegg district, began during the Bronze Age (second
millennium BC), leading to significant technological advancements in
ore exploitation. This period saw the establishment of local and
supra-regional metal production territories, with a techno-complex
extending from eastern Switzerland to Upper Styria, characterized by
shared mining and metallurgical processes.
Key sites include the
Mauk E mine in Schwaz/Brixlegg, where charcoal fragments reveal the
use of fire-setting—a technique involving burning wood to crack
rock—for copper extraction around the late 8th century BC
(approximately 800-790 BC). Dendrochronological analysis shows
miners used stem wood from spruce (Picea abies) and fir (Abies alba)
sourced from dense local forests, with limited demand that had
minimal environmental impact. Another significant site is the Late
Bronze Age ore processing area at Schwarzenberg-Moos, featuring
well-preserved wooden constructions for crushing and washing ore,
embedded in peat deposits that provide material for archaeobotanical
and dendrochronological studies.
Multi-proxy analyses of peat
sequences from the Mauken Valley fen demonstrate the environmental
effects of these activities, including vegetation changes correlated
with mining. The polymetallic ores (Fe-Zn-Hg
tetrahedrite-tennantite) in the Mauken area highlight the district's
richness, with mining sites scattered across the valley. Prehistoric
copper production focused on fahlore (sulfosalt minerals), with
evidence of beneficiation and smelting processes. The Brixental
region, connecting Schwaz-Brixlegg to other districts like
Kitzbühel-Jochberg, served as a vital transit area during the Bronze
and Iron Ages. Over 120 ore samples from nearby districts, including
Schwaz/Brixlegg, have been analyzed, confirming the area's role in
prehistoric metallurgy. These activities reflect sporadic to
seasonal exploitation, influenced by environmental factors and
transport routes.
Roman and Early Medieval Periods
During
the Roman era (from around 15 BC), Brixlegg was part of Noricum,
benefiting from the province's mineral resources, though specific
Roman mining in the area is less documented compared to prehistoric
efforts. The town's name derives from the ancient term "Prisslech,"
first mentioned in documents in 788 AD, reflecting its position at
the confluence of valleys like Alpbachtal, Ziller, and Unterinntal
along the Lower Inn Valley. This early medieval period saw Brixlegg
as a settlement surrounded by mountains, setting the stage for
renewed mining.
Mining activities resumed in the 13th century,
building on Bronze Age foundations. The Schwaz/Brixlegg area became
known for silver and copper, with exploitation tied to the Counts of
Tyrol.
Medieval and Early Modern Periods
Brixlegg rose to
prominence in the Middle Ages due to the discovery of copper and
silver mines in the surrounding mountains, transforming it into a
key economic center in Tyrol. By the 15th century, the town gained
fame across the region, supplying the Habsburgs and consolidating
its position within the Austrian Empire. The first documented copper
and silver refinery dates to 1463, marking the start of organized
metallurgy.
The heydays of mining occurred in the 15th and 16th
centuries, when silver production boomed, leading to the minting of
the Silbertaler (silver thaler coins). The Schwaz/Brixlegg district
was renowned for silver in late medieval and early modern times,
with large-scale operations involving fire-setting and other
techniques. This era saw economic significance through trade in
metals, with logistical cooperation across alpine regions.
Historical landmarks from this period include Schloss Lanegg, a
16th-century castle residence of the Faber von Lanegg family since
1588, reflecting the wealth from mining.
19th to 20th Century
By the early 20th century, primary ore extraction in Tyrol declined,
shifting production to copper recovery from scrap metal alloys.
Brixlegg was elevated to market town status in 1927, formalizing its
administrative importance. Economic diversification began, with the
founding of the Giesswein textiles company in 1954.
Modern
Period
Today, Brixlegg's population is around 2,970 (2018), with
Montanwerke Brixlegg AG as the sole copper producer in Austria,
specializing in recycling copper and other metals from secondary
materials. Other industries include Silberquelle (mineral water) and
tourism, focusing on winter sports via the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal
Wildschönau network (145 km of slopes) and spa facilities near
sulphur-rich springs in Mehrn. The town preserves its heritage
through the Tyrolean Museum of Mining and Metallurgy, exhibiting
mining history from the Bronze Age onward. Brixlegg is also known
for "The Cradle" skate arena and traditions like the Christmas
market's Christkindleinzug procession. It is twinned with Aichach,
Germany, and led by Mayor Rudolf Puecher (ÖVP).
Topography and Landscape
The core of Brixlegg lies on the right
(southern) bank of the Inn River, where the broader, relatively open Inn
Valley floor meets the narrower side valley of the Alpbach. This creates
a transitional landscape: a low-lying, gently sloping or flat alluvial
and terrace area suitable for settlement and transport, rapidly rising
into steeper alpine slopes and forested hillsides.
The municipality
extends from the Inn Valley floor up the slopes, particularly on the
right side of the Zimmermoosbach. It includes three main settlement
areas (Ortschaften): the central Brixlegg, Mehrn (also associated with
the former spa/Bad Mehrn area), and the higher, more dispersed and
agriculturally oriented Zimmermoos. Zimmermoos climbs the slopes toward
the entrance of the Alpbachtal and the base of peaks such as the
Gratlspitze, with elevations rising well above 1,000 m in places (for
example, approaches toward the Holzalm around 1,400–1,450 m).
Elevation contrasts are pronounced within short distances. Within a few
kilometers the terrain includes low-mountain and moderate high-mountain
zones, with high mountains nearby. The surrounding landscape belongs
primarily to the Northern Limestone Alps and the Kitzbühel Alps
(Kitzbüheler Alpen). To the north and northwest rises the Rofan range
(Rofangebirge), with the Rofanspitze (approximately 2,259 m) among the
notable nearby summits. To the south and southeast the Alpbachtal opens
into the Kitzbühel Alps, featuring peaks such as the Gratlspitze (around
1,899 m, a prominent local viewpoint mountain accessible via Zimmermoos
and the Holzalm), Großer Galtenberg (about 2,424–2,425 m), Wiedersberger
Horn, and others. The broader setting includes views toward ranges such
as the Karwendel and Wilder Kaiser under clear conditions.
The valley
floor supports denser settlement and infrastructure, while the slopes
and higher ground feature forests, meadows, alpine pastures (Almen), and
scattered farmsteads. Forest cover is substantial (historically around
45% of the municipal area in land-cover data), alongside agricultural
land (around 37–38%), with built-up and other uses making up the
remainder. The permanent settlement area (Dauersiedlungsraum) occupies a
significant but limited portion of the total municipal surface due to
the steep terrain.
Hydrography
The Inn River is the dominant
watercourse, flowing through the main valley and forming a key
topographic boundary and historical transport axis. Brixlegg lies on its
right bank. The Alpbach (the stream that gives the Alpbachtal its name)
joins the Inn near or at the town, marking the side-valley entrance.
Local streams include the Zimmermoosbach, which flows through the
municipality and helps define the separation between valley-floor
settlements and the higher slopes on its right side.
These waterways
have shaped both the physical landscape (through erosion, deposition of
valley fill, and flood dynamics—historically including significant
Alpbach flooding events) and human use (settlement placement, industry,
and later recreation). The nearest larger lakes lie a few kilometers
away (for example, Reintaler See to the north-northeast).
Geology
and Historical Resource Base
The region forms part of the historic
Schwaz–Brixlegg mining district along the southern side of the Lower Inn
Valley. Ore deposits, particularly copper and silver-bearing fahlore
(tetrahedrite–tennantite group minerals), occur in units such as the
Devonian Schwaz Dolomite of the Greywacke Zone and in Triassic
carbonates (Schwazer Trias). These mineralizations supported prehistoric
(Bronze Age) and extensive historic mining and smelting. The local
copper works (Montanwerke Brixlegg) evolved from this tradition into
Austria’s only remaining copper plant, now focused on recycling and
secondary materials rather than primary ore.
The geological setting
of Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks, deformed by Alpine orogeny, underlies
the varied topography of valley, slopes, and resistant peaks.
Climate
Brixlegg has a temperate climate strongly influenced by its
alpine valley location (roughly Köppen Dfb or similar humid continental
with warm summers). Winters are cold, with average January daytime highs
near or below freezing and nighttime lows often well below 0 °C. Summers
are mild to warm, with July–August average highs around 20–23 °C. Annual
mean temperatures are typically in the range of roughly 6–9 °C depending
on the exact dataset and elevation reference.
Precipitation is
relatively high and shows a summer maximum (often peaking in
June–August), with annual totals commonly cited in the 1,000–2,000+ mm
range depending on the source and measurement period; snowfall is
significant in winter on the valley floor and especially on the
surrounding slopes and peaks. The growing season on the valley floor is
typically several months long. Local microclimates vary with elevation,
aspect (north- vs. south-facing slopes), and cold-air drainage in the
valley.