Zell am Ziller is a municipality in the rear of the Zillertal in
a valley basin on the right side of the Ziller and belongs to the
Schwaz district in Tyrol (Austria).
The foundation of the
community was laid by monks in the 8th century who converted the
residents of the valley to Christianity from the Gerlos Pass and
built a simple monk cell.
Zell was of great importance to the
Archbishopric of Salzburg. In addition to extensive real estate,
there was a direct connection over the Gerlos Pass to the Salzburg
region.
In 1187 the St. John's Hospital was built for the
numerous pilgrims and travelers, from which the foundation
retirement home emerged. 1188 the place name Zell as Cellensis
parrochia (parish of Zell) in a document Archbishop Adalbert III.
first mentioned in a document by Salzburg. When gold was found on
the Hainzenberg in the 16th century, the importance of the place
increased, so that the administration of the Salzburg court in the
Zillertal was relocated to Zell in 1592.
After the decline in
mining in the 19th century, Zell was a place of cattle markets. In
exchange for wine, the cattle were driven over the Tuxer Joch and
the Brenner Pass to Bozen.
In the course of the Napoleonic
Wars, Zell was sacked by Bavarian troops on November 6, 1809 during
the Tyrolean uprising. After the end of the wars, the Austrian
Emperor Franz I paid homage to the Austrian emperor on June 5, 1816,
until he traveled on to Fügen, where the local imperial monument was
erected. He was an advocate of the participation of the then still
Salzburg areas such as Zell in the Tyrolean freedom struggle in 1809
and advocated the unification of these areas with the County of
Tyrol.
Miners were still working in the mine until 1930, but
mining was discontinued as unprofitable.
In 1989 Zell was
raised to a market town.
Attractions
Parish Church of St. Veit. Built in 1779.
Zillertal regional museum. The museum gives an insight into
historical life. The centerpiece is the 17th century Hof Ental,
which was removed from its original location and rebuilt here. Open:
in summer.
Activities
The local ski area is the
Zillertalarena, the largest ski area in the Zillertal; Valley
locations are Zell, Gerlos, Krimml, Wald-Königsleiten; 30 huts and
snow bars;
Height 630 - 2 500m; 50 lifts; 163 km of slopes;
Regular events
Gauderfest. The Gauderfest takes place every year
in the days before the first Sunday in May. It is one of the oldest
folk festivals in Tyrol. The Gauderbock, a Bock beer specially
brewed by the local brewery for the festival, is served. There is
also a pageant with floats, bands and groups in traditional costume.
A highlight is the wrestling, a form of wrestling. The festival has
been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Getting there
By plane
By train
From Jenbach an der
Unterinntalbahn (route Kufstein - Innsbruck) with the Zillertalbahn
to Zell.
By bus
There are bus connections from Innsbruck
main station.
By street
Zell is located in the middle of
the Zillertal, the approach is from the north from the Lower Inn
Valley (Inntal motorway A12, Kufstein - Innsbruck, toll!), Exit
Zillertal and continue on the federal road B169 through the
Zillertal to Uderns. The toll-free journey from Germany is possible
via the route along the Achensee.
In an easterly direction,
Gerlosstraße branches off to the Gerlos Pass (1490 m).