Fieberbrunn, a picturesque market town in the Austrian state of Tyrol, is nestled in the Kitzbühel Alps within the Kitzbühel district. As the largest and most populous municipality in the Pillerseetal valley, it serves as a vibrant hub for tourism, blending alpine charm with year-round recreational opportunities. With an elevation of 780 meters (2,560 feet) and a total area of 76.33 square kilometers (29.47 square miles), the town boasts stunning natural landscapes, including valleys, mountains, and lakes, making it a gateway to outdoor adventures. Originally named Pramau, it was renamed Fieberbrunn ("fever well") based on a legend involving a healing fountain, and today it attracts visitors for its winter sports prowess—hosting international snowboarding events like Lords of the Boards—and summer pursuits such as hiking and mountaineering. As of 2021, the population stood at 4,543, reflecting steady growth from 1,723 in 1869, driven by economic development and tourism. The current mayor is Dr. Walter Astner, and the town is known for its cultural landscape shaped by mining history, folklore, and modern events like the SNOWFEVER Big Mountain skiing competition, held annually since 2006.
Fieberbrunn's attractions emphasize its natural and historical
allure. The Fieberbrunn Fountain, encircled by a wall per legend, is a
central historic site with healing waters and the miner statue nearby.
The Parish Church of Saints Primus and Felician forms a monumental
ensemble with the rectory, showcasing Baroque architecture. The
Johanneskapelle stands out for its Rococo frescoes and riverside
location.
Outdoor highlights include the Wildseeloder Area, an
"all-rounder mountain" with hiking trails, via ferrata routes, and the
emerald Wildlodersee lake. At the Streuböden mid-station, Timok’s Wild
World offers an alpine coaster, low ropes course, and climbing park for
families. The Buchensteinwand features the 30-meter Jakobskreuz cross
with viewing platforms, exhibitions, and access via chairlift—ideal for
panoramas, biking, and skiing. Pletzergraben preserves mining history
with trails to the Herrgott bridge, summits like Gebra and Karstein, and
the St. Daniel Chapel memorial.
Other gems: Lauchsee Bathing Lake for
swimming; Schloss Rosenegg, a nearby castle; and the PillerseeTal ski
area. Trails like the Bienenlehrpfad (bee educational path),
Weitentalweg, Teufelsklamm gorge, and Jakobsweg pilgrimage route cater
to hikers. The village hike, an easy 1-hour loop, connects many sites
and is family-friendly.
Fieberbrunn lies at coordinates 47°28′N 12°33′E in the heart of the Pillerseetal valley, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Kitzbühel Alps. The terrain features a mix of forested hills, alpine meadows, and rugged mountains, with the Wildseeloder peak rising to 2,118 meters (6,949 feet) as a prominent landmark. The Fieberbrunner Ache river, also known as Schwarzache in its upper reaches, flows through the town for 27 kilometers before joining the Großache in nearby St. Johann in Tirol, adding to the scenic waterways that define the area. Nearby, the Lauchsee bathing lake offers a serene spot for summer relaxation, while the Buchensteinwand mountain provides panoramic views. The region's climate is alpine, with cold, snowy winters ideal for skiing and mild summers perfect for outdoor activities. The town's location makes it an entry point to larger networks like the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, Austria's largest connected ski area. Population density is relatively low at about 56 inhabitants per square kilometer, preserving the area's natural beauty and rural feel.
Etymology and Legends
The town's name, Fieberbrunn (meaning "fever
spring" or "fever well"), stems from a medieval legend. According to
folklore, Tyrolean Countess Margarete Maultasch (also known as Margaret
of Tyrol, 1318–1369) suffered from a severe fever during a journey
through the area. She drank from a sulfur-rich spring near the
present-day church and was miraculously cured, leading to the spring
being dubbed Fieberbrunnen. This name eventually extended to the town,
replacing its earlier designation as Pramau. A variant of the legend
attributes a similar healing to Claudia de' Medici (Archduchess of
Austria, 1604–1648) in 1632, who reportedly recovered from illness after
consuming the water. The spring, first documented in 1455, remains a
symbolic landmark, and the town's coat of arms—granted in 1973—features
a silver fountain with two jets, flanked by golden stars and a cross,
alluding to this origin.
Early History and Settlement
(Prehistoric to Medieval Periods)
Evidence suggests human activity in
the Pillerseetal valley predates Roman times, with speculation of
prehistoric mining operations, though no definitive archaeological proof
exists for the earliest settlements. The area was likely inhabited by
Celtic tribes before Roman influence, but concrete records begin in the
medieval era.
The first documented mention of the settlement occurs
in 1156 under the name Pramau, as part of the Hofmark Pillersee, a
territorial jurisdiction linked to the Rott Monastery in Bavaria, which
held extensive lands in Tyrol. By 1187, Baron Rosenberg constructed
Schloss Rosenegg (Rosenegg Castle) in the hamlet of Rosenegg,
establishing it as a manor house and seat of local governance. The
Rosenberg family, originally from Augsburg, acquired control of the
surrounding region from 1534 to 1872, during which the castle served as
a courtroom for local trials, reflecting the family's judicial rights.
They built two residences: Altroseneck and Neuroseneck (the latter now
Neu-Rosenegg), solidifying their influence.
Religious development
marked the late medieval period. The parish church, dedicated to Saints
Primus and Felician, was consecrated on July 17, 1446, and rebuilt in
1689 after earlier iterations. The adjacent rectory, constructed in 1767
following a 1766 fire that destroyed its 1643 predecessor, features
distinctive architecture. In the 18th century, the Rococo-style
Johanneskapelle (Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk) was erected but damaged
by floods in 1787 before restoration. Nearby, the Baroque miner's chapel
of St. Daniel in Pletzergraben was rebuilt in 1975 as a memorial,
highlighting early ties to resource extraction.
Mining Era
(16th–Early 20th Century)
Fieberbrunn's prosperity peaked during the
16th century, fueled by intensive iron mining and metallurgy, which
became the economic backbone. Key sites included the Gebra mine (at
2,057 meters) and Rettenwand meadows above Lauchsee, where magnetite ore
was extracted with over 35% iron content. This ore was smelted in
Rosenegg into the renowned Pillersee steel, celebrated worldwide until
production ceased in 1908.
Mining was hazardous; workers included ore
cutters, keepers, and pit keepers, using black powder (produced locally
by families like the Edenhausers in Weißach) to blast rock. A tragic
avalanche on December 19, 1875, in Pletzergraben buried 54 miners,
though many survived. By 1641, records note five existing pits and 11
new ones, underscoring the industry's scale. The Rosenberg family played
a central role in these operations. Mining's decline by 1908 shifted the
economy, though a 1995 sculpture by Horst Mayr Hochfilzen commemorates
the era.
Infrastructure advanced with the Salzburg-Tyrol Railway
(Giselabahn), constructed from 1873 to 1875, connecting Fieberbrunn to
broader networks and facilitating trade. Electrified by 1930, it endured
WWII bombings but remains vital.
Modern History (20th Century
Onward)
The early 20th century saw mining's end and a pivot to other
industries. Post-WWI population growth reflected recovery: from 1,723 in
1869 to 2,288 in 1923, and 3,010 by 1961. A notable 1937 incident
involved the robbery of housewife Katharina Neuner near the town; the
perpetrator was executed in 1938, highlighting interwar tensions.
After WWII, industry revived, including the founding of Gebro Pharma in
1947 by the Broschek family, which grew into a major pharmaceutical
firm. Schloss Rosenegg transitioned to a four-star hotel in 1938,
connected to modern extensions via a tunnel, preserving its medieval
core while adapting to tourism.
Tourism emerged as the dominant
force. Skiing began in the early 1900s with Bavarian pioneers,
establishing Fieberbrunn as a top destination by 1958. The 1889
Improvement Society promoted the area for alpinism, highlighting sites
like Wildalpsee and mineral springs. In 2014–2015, Fieberbrunn's
mountain railways merged with the Skicircus
Saalbach-Hinterglemm/Leogang, creating a 270 km ski network with 70
lifts. It hosts the Swatch Freeride World Tour annually and events like
SNOWFEVER (since 2006) and churchjump.
Summer attractions include the
Lauchsee lake, 150 km of hiking trails, and the Kitz Alps Trail
marathon. Today, Fieberbrunn blends its historical mining and feudal
roots with modern recreation, maintaining a cultural landscape of valley
settlements and mountain farms.
The economy is predominantly tourism-based, transitioning from historical mining to modern recreation. In winter, Fieberbrunn is part of the expansive Skicircus, offering world-class skiing and snowboarding, including events like Lords of the Boards and SNOWFEVER. Summer tourism thrives with hiking, cycling, and family activities. The Bergbahnen Fieberbrunn cable cars provide access to high-altitude trails, while the railway supports regional connectivity. Culturally, Fieberbrunn preserves its heritage through folklore, art, and architecture. Legends like the Wildlodersee lake's flood story—punishing greedy herdsmen, with a "Screaming fountain" waterfall—add mystique. Mining is commemorated by a 1995 statue of an old miner by sculptor Horst Mayr Hochfilzen, and the town's valley floors, villages, and mountain farms showcase traditional Tyrolean elements. Annual traditions, such as the mountain mass at St. Daniel chapel, highlight community spirit.