Alpbach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alpbach
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Location within Kufstein district
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 Alpbach
Location in Austria
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| Country | Austria | |
| State | Tyrol | |
| District | Kufstein | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 58.37 km2 (22.54 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 975 m (3,199 ft) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
6236
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| Area code | 05336 | |
| Vehicle registration | KU | |
| Website | www.alpbach.tirol.gv.at | |
Alpbach is a beautiful town located in western Austria, within the state of Tyrol. It's known for its stunning mountain views and traditional wooden buildings.
Contents
Alpbach's Past: A Look at History
Early Settlements and Ancient Routes
The name Alpbach was first written down in 1150. But people lived here much earlier, around the year 1000. An old bronze axe found nearby suggests that a mountain path was used even during the Hallstatt period, which was a very long time ago!
Christianity Comes to Alpbach
Christianity arrived in this area in the 7th and 8th centuries. It was brought by monks from Ireland and Scotland. The main church in Alpbach is named after St. Oswald, who was a king from a place called Northumbria.
Mining and the Fugger Family
In the early 1400s, valuable copper and silver were found in the mountains near Alpbach. A powerful merchant family called the Fuggers, from Augsburg, took control of the mining. They even had their offices and a special mining court at a place called the Böglerhof. Alpbach had two inns back then, the Böglerhof and the Jakober Inn, where miners and villagers would gather. By the mid-1800s, the mines were not producing much, so they had to close.
The Old Farmhouse Museum
The Vorder-Unterberg Farm was built by local carpenters between 1636 and 1638. It was used as a working farm until 1952. Today, it's a mountain farming museum. You can see how people lived and worked long ago, with old rooms, a chapel, and over 800 everyday items.
A Unique Architectural Style
The main road into Alpbach valley wasn't built until 1926. Because the village was so isolated for a long time, it developed its own special style of buildings and furniture. This also helped keep local traditions alive much longer than in other parts of Tyrol.
Alpbach Today: A Hub for Tourism
How Tourism Grew in Alpbach
Tourists started visiting Alpbach in the early 1900s. By 1938, the village could host 110 visitors. Now, it can host 2,500 people! About 22,000 visitors come in summer and the same number in winter. This means tourism is the main way people in Alpbach make money. Even so, there are still 105 working farms, just like a hundred years ago.
The "Village of Thinkers"
Since 1945, Alpbach has hosted the Alpbach European Forum. This is a two-week meeting where important people from science, business, the arts, and politics come together. Because so many smart people gather here, Alpbach is known as "The Village Of Thinkers."
Famous Names in Alpbach
The first conference hall in Alpbach was built in the 1950s. It was named after Paula von Preradovic, an Austrian poet who wrote Austria's national anthem. The main meeting hall is named after Erwin Schrödinger, a famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner. He is buried in the Alpbach cemetery.
Keeping Alpbach's Traditional Look
In 1953, the mayor, Alfons Moser, suggested a special rule. This rule made sure that all new buildings in Alpbach had to be built in the traditional style. This helps keep the village looking unique and beautiful.
Awards and Recognition
Alpbach has won many awards over the years.
- In 1975, it was certified to have the cleanest air in all of Austria.
- In 1983, it was voted "Austria's Most Beautiful Village" in a TV contest.
- In 1985, the Council of Europe gave Alpbach the right to fly the European flag. This was to thank the community for its work towards European unity.
- In 1993, Alpbach won "The Most Beautiful Floral Village in Europe" award.
Alpbach's Modern Appeal
The Congress Centre
In 1999, a new Alpbach Congress Centre opened. It has exciting architecture and is designed to be kind to the environment. A cool spiral gallery with glass walls gives amazing views of the mountains.
Skiing in Alpbach
Alpbach is also a popular ski resort. Its slopes are well-maintained and great for beginners to intermediate skiers. There are also off-piste areas for more experienced skiers. A new gondola lift opened in 2006-2007, making it easy to get from Inner-Alpbach to the top of the Wiedersberger Horn mountain.
Alpbach is very popular with skiers. It's also a great place for beginner snowboarders. There's even a halfpipe for those who like tricks! The village has three ski schools:
- The original Ski and Snowboardschool at Alpbach-Inneralpbach, running since 1932.
- The Alpbach Active Skischule.
- Schischule Alpbachtal (SkiCheck), which started in 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Alpbach para niños
