Radstadt is a municipality in the Austrian state of Salzburg with 4876 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2020). It is also called the "old town in the mountains" and is known as a winter sports resort.
Lerchen Castle. The building houses part of the
local history museum, it shows the development of the city
City
wall - The settlement of the very conveniently located terrace above
the Ennstal did not begin until late, but became increasingly
important. In the 13th century Finally the entire terrace was
fortified and became the most systematic and regular urban complex
in today's Austria. Under Archbishop Rudolf von Hohenegg, Radstadt
was elevated to a city on July 27, 1289 - by the way, until 2000 the
only place in the mountains with city rights of the Archdiocese of
Salzburg. The city wall, which is considered a masterpiece of its
kind, is still largely preserved in the original. The city entrances
to the west and east, which replaced the city gates at that time,
are pretty much the only structural interventions that have changed
the city wall in the more than 700 years of its existence. Today the
city wall of Radstadt is a listed landmark, which you can walk
around on a leisurely stroll in about 20 minutes.
City towers -
An important era in Radstadt was the Peasants' War of 1525/1526.
5000 farmers and miners gathered here for the last, great, desperate
fight in the German Peasants' War under the leadership of Michl
Gaismair. The city, under its keeper Christoph Graf von Schernberg,
withstood the siege, and the advancing relief army was able to drive
out the besiegers on June 19, 1526. Their leaders were beheaded, and
as atonement the defeated had to strengthen the fortifications and
erect the three round towers. It is still difficult to understand
why only three and not four towers were built. The three towers,
Hexenturm, Teichturm and Kapuzinerturm are partly used again today.
The pond tower was adapted in 1998 as part of the new music and
culture center and is now used as an event location.
Capuchin
Tower. The Capuchin Tower, which houses a museum and whose roof
structure is considered a masterpiece of carpentry, was re-adapted
in 2014. The focus is on the Peasant Wars of 1525/1526, with the
visitor being practically involved in the action by means of
multimedia staging.
Parish Church of the Assumption. The mother
parish of the Salzburg Ennstal was Altenmarkt, which is mentioned as
a parish as early as 1074. Even today, Altenmarkt is the seat of the
deanery. The first church dedicated to St. Virgil was built in
Radstadt in 1314. In 1417, after a fire, the church was rebuilt, so
that a three-aisled basilica was created in the core,
Romanesque-early Gothic, to which a long, high Gothic choir was
added to the east. After the fire of 1616, the church was rebuilt in
a particularly beautiful way under Archbishop Markus Sittikus and
the construction management of Salzburg cathedral builder Santino
Solari and consecrated in 1618, combined with the change of
patronage - to Our Lady of the Assumption. In 1781 the parish church
burned down again and was not rebuilt for a long time. In 1859
Radstadt became its own parish. 1865 was the last damage caused by a
city fire. Afterwards, the three naves were re-romanized and the
choir was reorganized. From 1957 restoration of the church,
adaptation to the post-conciliar liturgical regulations.
Cobblestone tower. Late Gothic light column in the cemetery of the
parish church in Radstadt from the year 1513. In earlier times the
so-called "eternal light" burned inside the tower, which also
protects against wars, storms, diseases and epidemics such as the
plague (hence the wrong opinion of the cobbler tower a plague
column) was attributed. Today one of the few structures that was not
affected by the frequent city fires in Radstadt.
Capuchin Church. The former Capuchin monastery was originally an
old, dilapidated castle, which can be traced back to 1401. The
monastery was built in 1628, incorporating the main walls that were
still standing. This explains the unusual height of the building. In
1634 the Capuchin Church was consecrated in honor of the Immaculate
Conception of Mary. In 1746 the monastery was enlarged. In 1978 the
Capuchin Order left Radstadt and the former monastery now serves
Radstadt as the second Catholic church. Worth seeing: Baroque high
altar and the Capuchin crypt.
Loreto Church. In 1677 Johann
Christoph Ziurletti had the Loreto Church built northwest of the
city. In 1986 and 1987 the Loreto Church was extensively renovated.
Today the Loreto Church is only used for special occasions - the
rear annex is open to visitors!
Schloss/ Castle Mauer.
(Oberbräuslössl) privately owned and not open to the public.
Prehistoric and Ancient Origins
The area around Radstadt has been
inhabited since at least the 4th century BC, when Celtic tribes settled
there as part of the Noricum kingdom. Around 15 BC, the Romans
incorporated Noricum into their empire. A key Roman road crossed the
Tauern Pass, connecting Aquileia in Italy to Juvavum (modern Salzburg)
in the north, highlighting the site's strategic importance for trade and
military movement through the Alps.
Early Medieval Period and
Founding
Bavarian settlement began in the 7th century AD, marking the
start of the town's more continuous history. The name "Radstadt"
(earlier variants: Rastat in 1074, Radestat in 1092, Rastat in 1139)
likely derives from Slavic or Germanic roots, possibly meaning "resting
place" (Rastat).
In the 13th century, as the Pongau region became
part of the Archbishopric of Salzburg amid border conflicts with the
Habsburg dukes of Styria, the fortress of Radstadt was founded. On July
27, 1289, Archbishop Rudolf von Hohenegg granted the town (Cives in
Rastatt) full municipal rights, privileges, and freedoms equivalent to
those of Salzburg itself—the only mountain town in the archbishopric to
receive this status. Citizens were exempted from most taxes and duties
for ten years (except for defense costs), and the town gained
administrative, market, and judicial powers gradually transferred from
nearby Altenmarkt.
Medieval Growth, Conflicts, and Fortifications
Radstadt's strategic location on trade routes and near the Styrian
border made it vital for protecting the Enns Valley and the Tauern Pass.
Its first major test came in 1306 during a conflict with Duke Albrecht
of Austria, from which its coat of arms originates.
The town was
fortified with thick defensive walls, towers, and gates (such as the
Styrian Gate). However, it suffered repeated major fires (e.g., 1365,
1417, 1616, 1781, 1855, 1865) that destroyed many buildings. Surviving
structures include the Capuchin Tower, parts of the monastery and
church, and the late Gothic Schusterturm (a light column from 1513) in
the graveyard.
The parish church has Romanesque-Gothic roots, with a
consecration noted around 1417. A Gothic town hall dates to the 16th
century.
16th Century: Peasants' War and Loyalty Rewards
The
most dramatic episode was the German Peasants' War of 1525–1526. About
5,000 peasants, led by Michael Gaismair, besieged the town, but
Radstadt's citizens remained loyal to Prince-Archbishop Matthäus Lang
von Wellenburg and successfully resisted. In 1527, the archbishop
rewarded the town with a major charter of freedom and the motto "Allzeit
getreu" ("Always loyal"). This charter still underpins the privileges of
the town's uniformed civil militia (Bürgergarde), which participates in
events today.
In 1621, a Benedictine school was established in the
old Pflegburg castle; the Capuchins took it over in 1628 as a monastery
(active until 1978) to advance the Counter-Reformation.
Religious
Turmoil and Emigration
In 1731/32, under Archbishop Leopold Anton von
Firmian, the Emigration Edict forced the expulsion of Protestants
(Exulanten) from Salzburg territories, including over 3,000 from the
Radstadt area. Many resettled in East Prussia under Prussian King
Frederick William I.
19th–20th Centuries: Political Changes and
Modernization
Salzburg (and thus Radstadt) changed hands multiple
times in the early 19th century amid Napoleonic wars and occupations by
Austrian, Bavarian, and French forces. In 1816, it became part of the
Austrian Empire (as a crown land from 1850).
The 1875 opening of the
railway line from Bischofshofen to Selzthal brought economic growth. In
1938, the town and surrounding areas were administratively united.
Radstadt was among the first in the province to receive heritage
protection status.
During World War II, 183 locals perished, and the
town housed many refugees. Postwar recovery included the 1967 opening of
a private secondary school (later state-run) and the 1998 construction
of a Zeughaus (armory) for events. Modern developments include a new
town square and underground parking in 2005, and the Hofhaimer Park in
2009.
Cultural Heritage and Notable Figures
Radstadt is
renowned for its preserved medieval walls (with three towers tied to the
Peasants' War legend), historic buildings, and cultural traditions. Key
figure Paul Hofhaimer (1459–1537), born in Radstadt, was a renowned
organist, composer, and court musician to Emperor Maximilian I. He was
knighted in Vienna and immortalized by Albrecht Dürer; the town hosts
annual Paul Hofhaimer Days in his honor.
Other traditions include the
night watchman tours, militia festivals, harvest events, Krampus runs,
and local associations preserving customs, music, and crafts.
Modern Era
Today, Radstadt blends history with tourism as part of the
Ski Amadé region. Its old town, museums (Heimat museums), events, and
alpine setting attract visitors year-round. The town remains a cultural
and recreational hub in the Salzburg Alps.
Location and Coordinates
Radstadt lies at approximately 47°23′N
13°28′E, in the Enns River valley (Ennstal) near the confluence with the
Taurach tributary. It sits at an elevation of about 858 m (2,815 ft)
above sea level. The town is roughly 60–70 km southeast of the city of
Salzburg and serves as a gateway between the Pongau and Lungau regions.
It borders the Radstädter Tauern (part of the Low Tauern or Niedere
Tauern) to the south and sits near the Dachstein massif to the north,
creating a dramatic enclosed mountain landscape.
Topography and
Terrain
The municipal area covers 60.82 km², with significant
elevation variation. The town's average elevation across its topographic
extent is around 1,185–1,230 m (about 4,000 ft), with a minimum around
797 m (2,615 ft) in the valley floor and peaks reaching up to about
1,956 m (6,417 ft) within or immediately adjacent to the municipality.
Valley Setting: Radstadt occupies a relatively broad section of the
Enns Valley, providing flatter, more habitable terrain along the
riverbanks and lower slopes. The Enns River flows through the area,
offering a major hydrological feature and contributing to the fertile
valley soils.
Surrounding Mountains:
South: The Radstadt Tauern
(Radstädter Tauern), a major range of the Low Tauern (Niedere Tauern) in
the Central Eastern Alps. These include the Radstädter Tauern Pass at
1,738 m (5,702 ft), which connects to the Lungau region and historically
served as an important Alpine crossing.
North/East: Influences from
the Salzburg Slate Alps (including Roßbrand mountain) and proximity to
the Ennstal Alps (part of the Northern Limestone Alps). The broader
Ennstal Alps feature rugged limestone peaks, gorges, and high plateaus.
West/Northwest: Views toward the Dachstein massif, known for its
dramatic limestone plateaus, glaciers (though more distant), and high
peaks.
Overall Landscape: Steep forested slopes rise quickly from
the valley, transitioning to alpine meadows, rocky ridges, and high
peaks. The terrain supports extensive hiking, with trails leading to
2,000 m+ summits, mountain lakes, and plateaus. The area features a mix
of glacial valleys, moraines, and karstic features typical of the
Eastern Alps.
The region is part of the larger Alpine system,
where young fold mountains (formed primarily in the Tertiary period)
dominate, with limestone, slate, and crystalline rocks shaping the
rugged relief.
Climate
Radstadt has a temperate Alpine/montane
climate (influenced by both oceanic and continental patterns),
characterized by significant seasonal variation and strong altitude
effects. At ~850–1,200 m elevation, it is cooler and wetter than lowland
Austria.
Temperatures: Annual average around 3.6–8°C depending on
exact elevation and period. Summers (June–August) see daytime highs
often in the 18–25°C range (occasionally warmer), with cooler nights.
Winters are cold, with averages below freezing and frequent snow;
December highs around 0–2°C and lows to -7°C or lower. Temperature
decreases notably with altitude (roughly 0.6–1°C per 100 m rise).
Precipitation: High, with annual totals often 1,500–2,000+ mm, peaking
in summer (e.g., June can see heavy rainfall). Snow is abundant in
winter, supporting skiing. Föhn winds (warm, dry downslope winds) can
occasionally bring milder, clearer conditions.
Seasons:
Winter:
Heavy snowfall, ideal for winter sports (part of Ski Amadé).
Summer:
Mild to warm, with frequent thunderstorms; excellent for hiking and
outdoor activities.
Transitional springs and autumns can be variable,
with fog in valleys and clearer high-altitude views.
The local
climate is strongly modified by topography: valley floors can trap cold
air (inversions), while slopes and passes experience more wind and
orographic precipitation.
Hydrology and Natural Features
Rivers: The Enns River is the primary waterway, flowing eastward toward
Styria. The Taurach joins it near Radstadt, with the stream valley
providing a southern route to the Tauern Pass.
Lakes and Wetlands:
Numerous small mountain lakes (e.g., in the Tauern area) and alpine
tarns in higher cirques.
Vegetation: Lower elevations feature mixed
forests (beech, spruce, fir); higher up are coniferous forests
transitioning to alpine meadows, shrubs, and rocky barren zones above
the tree line (~1,800–2,000 m).
Geological Context: Part of the
Eastern Alps, with influences from the Northern Calcareous Alps and
Central Alps zones. Glacial history has carved U-shaped valleys and left
deposits.
Human and Practical Geography
The town's position in
a strategic Alpine pass corridor has shaped its development since Roman
times (Tauern road). Today, its geography supports tourism: skiing in
winter, hiking/cycling in summer, with good road (A10 Tauern Autobahn,
B320) and rail access. The municipality includes cadastral communities
like Höggen, Löbenau, Mandling, and others, encompassing valley
settlements and higher alpine hamlets.