Ried im Oberinntal is a municipality with 1252 inhabitants (as of
January 1, 2020) in the Landeck district, which belongs to the state
of Tyrol (Austria). The community is located in the judicial
district of Landeck.
The name Ried means "swampy area", but
rich Bronze Age and Roman finds indicate an early settlement. The
village was built around a tower from which the transit route was
monitored. The first documentary mentions can be found from the
years 1115–1122, when ownership of "Rieden" was transferred to the
Rottenbuch monastery.
Duke Sigmund “the rich in coins” had
the tower expanded into a hunting lodge, after which it was given
the name Sigmundsried. From 1550, Sigmundsried Castle was the
administrative center and seat of the court, which was moved to the
district capital Landeck in 1978. Coat of arms and tendril paintings
from the 16th century can be seen in the entrance hall.
The
parish church was first mentioned in a document in 1397 and can be
admired today in the Baroque style.
Today, Ried is a
two-season tourist community (with the surrounding ski areas of
Fendels, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis) and an important employer for the
entire region. Ried was originally the center of the judicial
district of Ried in Tirol and the seat of the district court Ried in
Tirol, but on January 1, 1978 it was added to the judicial district
of Landeck.
Ried is on the long-distance cycle path, which
runs as the Via Claudia Augusta along an ancient Roman road of the
same name.
Catholic parish church in Ried im Oberinntal, consecrated to St. Leonhard
The parish church Ried im Oberinntal stands on the southeast edge
of the village center surrounded by a cemetery in the municipality
of Ried im Oberinntal in the district of Landeck in the state of
Tyrol. The Roman Catholic parish church, consecrated to Saint
Leonhard of Limoges, belongs to the Prutz dean's office in the
diocese of Innsbruck. The church is a listed building (list entry).
A church was documented in 1397. 1445 was a collection of money for
a new choir. In 1516 the altars were consecrated. In 1715 the church
was enlarged and redesigned in baroque style. 1975/1977 was a
restoration.
Architecture
Baroque reconstruction of a
medieval church building with a Romanesque south tower. The tower on
the south side of the choir has two round-arched, coupled sound
windows with cube capitals on top of each other and has a pointed
gable helmet from the 19th century. A low choir with a polygonal end
and late Gothic triangular pilaster strips adjoins the nave. The
baroque three-axis west facade is structured with pilasters and has
a profiled main cornice, in the triangular gable there is a blind
arch field with painting Last Supper with the year 1715.
Furnishing
The baroque altar furnishings from 1720 were created
by Michael Stämer with figures by Andreas Kölle and altar paintings
by Franz Lazier, the original version of the picture was uncovered
in 1977.
Prehistoric and Roman Origins
Human activity in Ried dates
back to the Bronze Age (circa 2200–800 BC), with archaeological
discoveries indicating early settlements in the marshy Inn Valley
terrain. These finds suggest the area was inhabited for its fertile
soils and strategic position along trade routes. During the Roman
era (15 BC–5th century AD), the region was part of the province of
Raetia, and artifacts from this period further attest to continuous
occupation. The Via Claudia Augusta, a major Roman road constructed
around 15 BC under Emperor Augustus and completed by Claudius in
46–47 AD, passed through the Upper Inn Valley, enhancing Ried's role
as a transit point. This ancient infrastructure laid the groundwork
for later medieval developments, as the valley's marshy yet
accessible nature attracted settlers.
Medieval Period and
First Documented Mentions
The village's documented history begins
in the early 12th century. Ried was first mentioned between 1115 and
1122 as "ad Rieden" in records of the Bavarian monastery of
Rottenbuch, which held seigneurial rights over properties in the
area. Another source cites 1120 as the initial reference in the
books of Kloster Reichenbach, also a Bavarian abbey with land rights
in Ried. By the 12th century, the settlement had formed around a
defensive tower built to monitor and secure the vital transit routes
through the Inn Valley. This tower, initially a simple surveillance
structure, symbolized the area's growing importance under Tyrolean
nobility.
In 1397, the Pfarrkirche St. Leonhard (Parish Church of
St. Leonard) was first documented, serving as the spiritual center
of the community. It was later rebuilt in the Baroque style,
reflecting the architectural trends of the Counter-Reformation era.
The 15th century marked a pivotal expansion under Archduke Sigismund
of Austria (1427–1496), known as "der Münzreiche" (the Coin-Rich)
for his monetary reforms. Around the mid-1400s (specifically linked
to 1422 in anniversary contexts), Sigismund transformed the tower
into a hunting lodge, renaming it Sigmundsried Castle. This
development spurred village growth, as Ried became a hub for noble
activities and administration.
Castle History and
Administrative Role
Sigmundsried Castle remains the historical
heart of Ried, evolving from a medieval tower into a multifaceted
structure. By 1550, under Habsburg influence, it was designated as
the seat of the local Gericht (court), functioning as the
administrative and judicial center for the surrounding region until
1978. The castle's entrance hall features 16th-century wall
paintings depicting coats of arms and decorative tendrils,
preserving Renaissance artistry. Associated with the Herren von Ried
(Lords of Ried), the castle's heraldry—a golden basilisk on a black
field—was incorporated into the municipality's coat of arms, granted
in 1973. Over centuries, it served variously as a hunting lodge,
court seat, and symbol of regional power. Today, it hosts cultural
events, markets, and is open for summer visits, blending its
historical legacy with modern tourism.
Early Modern to 19th
Century Developments
The 16th to 18th centuries saw Ried solidify
as an agricultural and transit community, with the castle's court
overseeing local affairs amid the Habsburg Empire's expansions. The
Baroque reconstruction of the parish church in the 17th–18th
centuries highlighted religious reforms. By the 19th century, Ried
remained a rural village, with population dips reflecting economic
challenges, such as the Napoleonic Wars' impact on Tyrol
(1805–1814), when the region saw uprisings against Bavarian and
French occupation. In 1898, the Schützenkompanie Ried (Rifle
Company) was founded by Karl Handle, who served as captain until
1938; it was reestablished post-World War II, preserving Tyrolean
militia traditions.
20th Century and World War II Resistance
The early 20th century brought gradual modernization, with
population growth tied to improved infrastructure. During World War
II, Ried became a site of quiet defiance. In 1944, a resistance
group formed against the Nazi regime, inspired by figures like
Forstmeister Vitus, who returned from the front due to illness. This
group opposed the "Alpenfestung" (Alpine Fortress) plans, a rumored
Nazi last-stand strategy. Their efforts, though local, contributed
to broader anti-Nazi sentiments in Tyrol. Post-war, Ried integrated
into the Austrian Republic, with the court district dissolved in
1978 and merged into Landeck.
Modern Era and Cultural
Preservation
The late 20th century shifted Ried's economy
from agriculture to services and tourism, with key sectors in
hospitality, trade, and public administration. In 2022, the village
celebrated its 900th anniversary with the publication of "900 Jahre
Ried im Oberinntal – Höhepunkte der Dorfgeschichte 1122–1422–2022,"
highlighting milestones from medieval origins to contemporary life.
A historical tour with 22 stations, including the parish church,
castle, Fasslbrunnen (barrel fountain), grain mill, sawmill, and Inn
bridge, features bilingual info boards and a free booklet, promoting
cultural heritage. Notable figures include current mayor Daniel
Patscheider (since 2022) and historians like Martin Bitschnau and
Hannes Obermair, who documented early records. Ried's evolution into
a commuter-friendly tourism destination, with access to ski areas
like Fendels and Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, underscores its resilience and
adaptation.
The topography of Ried im Oberinntal is quintessentially alpine, characterized by a broad valley floor carved by glacial and fluvial processes, rising sharply into rugged mountain ranges. The municipality sits at the base of the Ötztal Alps to the south and the Samnaun Alps (part of the Eastern Alps) to the north, with peaks soaring to over 3,000 meters in the vicinity, creating a natural amphitheater of forested slopes, meadows, and rocky outcrops. The valley itself is relatively flat in the central settlement area, facilitating human habitation and farming, but transitions into steep, terraced hillsides covered in coniferous forests (primarily spruce and pine) and alpine pastures. Notable features include the Fallende Bach waterfall, a 100-meter cascade tumbling from the mountains near the Anton Renk hut, and the surrounding gorges like the Fendler Bach stream gorge, which add dramatic vertical relief accessible via cable cars and hiking trails. The landscape supports diverse terrain for activities such as hiking in summer and skiing in winter, with ski resorts like Fendels nearby offering slopes that integrate into the natural contours.
Hydrographically, Ried im Oberinntal is defined by its position along the Inn River, which flows through the Upper Inn Valley and serves as a major waterway draining the region. The Inn, originating from the Swiss Alps and flowing northeast toward the Danube, provides a vital corridor for sediment transport and influences local microclimates through its valley orientation. Tributaries such as the Fallende Bach and Fendler Bach feed into the Inn, contributing to seasonal flooding risks and supporting small-scale hydropower. A key attraction is the Badesee Ried, a 7,000 m² artificial swimming lake fed by natural springs and surrounded by grassy shores, offering a serene alpine water body for recreation amid panoramic mountain views. The area's karst-influenced geology, common in the Austrian Alps, enhances groundwater quality and contributes to clear, mineral-rich streams.
Geologically, Ried im Oberinntal lies within the complex structure of the Eastern Alps, part of the Austro-Alpine nappes formed during the Alpine orogeny around 100-30 million years ago. The region features metamorphic rocks from the Penninic and Austro-Alpine zones, including crystalline basement (gneiss, schist) overlain by sedimentary layers such as limestone and dolomite, which create karst landscapes prone to caves and high-quality aquifers. Glacial activity from the Pleistocene has sculpted the valley, leaving moraines, U-shaped profiles, and fertile alluvial soils. The area is seismically active due to ongoing tectonic compression, and historical landslides, such as those in nearby Fernpass, highlight slope instability in the Tyrol, with fossil landslides dating back thousands of years influenced by fault-related valley deepening. Mineral localities are noted in the vicinity, reflecting the diverse geological heritage.
The climate is alpine continental, with cold, snowy winters and mild, wet summers, moderated by the valley's elevation and mountain barriers. Annual precipitation averages around 600-800 mm, with higher amounts in the surrounding mountains (e.g., nearby Ötztal records ~632 mm annually), often falling as snow from November to April. Temperatures range from average January lows of -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F) to July highs of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), though the Alps amplify warming trends—twice the global average in recent decades—leading to reduced snow cover and increased extreme events like heavy rainfall. Föhn winds occasionally bring warmer, drier conditions from the south, enhancing the area's appeal for year-round tourism.
The diverse elevation gradients support a rich biodiversity: lower valleys feature mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, alpine meadows with wildflowers (e.g., edelweiss, gentians), and higher zones with hardy shrubs and lichens. Fauna includes chamois, red deer, eagles, and smaller mammals adapted to alpine environments. Land use is predominantly natural and agricultural, with about 40-50% forested, 30% pastures and meadows for dairy farming, and the remainder settlements and tourism infrastructure. Tourism dominates economically, leveraging the geography for hiking, cycling, skiing, and wellness activities, while sustainable practices preserve the pristine setting. Overall, Ried im Oberinntal's geography embodies the harmonious blend of valley accessibility and mountainous grandeur typical of the Tyrolean Alps.