Bichlbach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bichlbach
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 Bichlbach
Location in Austria
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| Country | Austria | |
| State | Tyrol | |
| District | Reutte | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 30.64 km2 (11.83 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,079 m (3,540 ft) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
6621
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| Area code | 05674 | |
| Vehicle registration | RE | |
| Website | www.riskommunal.net/ bichlbach |
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Bichlbach is a small town in the Reutte area, located in the beautiful state of Tyrol, Austria. It's a lovely place nestled in the mountains, known for its history and outdoor activities.
Contents
Where is Bichlbach?
Bichlbach is located about 1,079 meters (3,540 feet) above sea level. It sits in a valley called the Zwischentoren, which connects two other valleys: the Ehrwald Basin and the Lech valley. Water flowing from Bichlbach goes into either the Lech River or the Loisach River.
The town is made up of three main villages:
- Bichlbach itself (at 1,079 meters high)
- Lähn (a bit higher at 1,112 meters)
- Wengle (1,083 meters high)
From Bichlbach, you can hike up the Kohlbergspitze mountain, which is 2,202 meters high. The hike usually takes about 3 hours.
A Look at History
Bichlbach was first settled by people coming from the Allgäu region. The town's name, Puechelpach, was first used around the year 1300. It means "creek surrounded by beeches," which are a type of tree.
Just like in Biberwier, people used to mine for lead and other metals in Bichlbach.
One interesting historical event involves the village of Mittelwald. It was destroyed by a huge avalanche in 1456. The people rebuilt it in a new spot and called it Lähn, which actually means "avalanche." Sadly, this new village was also destroyed by another avalanche in 1689.
For many years, until 1816, Lähn was an important border. It marked the edge between two church areas, called dioceses, of Augsburg and Brixen.
Until 1859, Bichlbach was home to a very important group called the Great Guild Bichlbach. This guild was a special club for masons (people who work with stone) and carpenters (people who work with wood). A famous builder named Joseph Michael Schnöller was part of this guild. The guild's church in Bichlbach is built in a beautiful style called Baroque, and it's the only one of its kind in German-speaking countries today.
Town Symbol: The Coat of Arms
Bichlbach has its own special symbol, called a coat of arms. It was given to the town in 1974.
The coat of arms shows a black, two-headed eagle on a red background. In the middle, there's a silver stripe with a figure of Saint Joseph. He is wearing black clothes and holding a silver carpenter's triangle. Saint Joseph is important because he is known as a patron saint of craftsmen.
The colors of the town's flag are black and red.
What to Do in Bichlbach
Bichlbach is a popular place for tourists, especially in winter. It's a great spot for winter sports because it's located near the entrance to the Berwang ski area.
The town is easy to reach! It's on the Fern Pass road. You can also get there by train, as it has a train station called Bichlbach-Berwang and two stops, Lähn and Bichlbach-Almkopfbahn, on the Außerfernbahn line.
If you love cycling, you'll be happy to know that a long-distance bike path runs through Bichlbach. This path is part of the Via Claudia Augusta, which follows an ancient Roman road!
Culture and Sights
The most famous building in Bichlbach is the baroque church of St. Joseph. It was built in 1710/1711 and is special because it's the only guild church in all of Austria. Guild churches were built by groups of craftsmen, like the masons and carpenters guild mentioned earlier.
Famous People from Bichlbach
- Alois Zotz (1814-1893): He was a priest who later became a journalist and newspaper publisher in America.
- Nicole Hosp (* 1983): A world champion in ski giant slalom, she lives in Bichlbach.
See also
In Spanish: Bichlbach para niños
