Up-hill and down-hill
by Manara
The oldest part of Bad Gastein is the one near the waterfall and to the North of it, which means a bit downhill, towards the valley.
Evidence of it is the fact that the oldest churches are there. Now also the Congress Centre and the Casino are there, as well as most hotels.
The modern part, where most of the permanent inhabitants live, is the one South of the railway station. Here is where you can find the supermarkets, the school, the foot-ball ground, the Police station and several doctors' surgeries.
St. Nicholaskirche - the oldest church in the area
by Tolik
Late Gothic St. Nicholaskirche, dating from 1389, with a central Gothic pillared aisle and valuable frescoes, the serpentine pulpit (15th century) is the province’s oldest.
It has also original Paracelsus’ monument on the backyard. Bad Gastein is one of parts of Austria which boast Paracelsus connections. He was impressed by the curative properties of the local spa waters. Paracelsus also lived in Villach as a young man (his father practiced medicine here from 1502 to 1532), studied the respiratory ailments of Tyrolean silver-miners and died in Salzburg in 1541.
Some History, Part I
by Manara
These valleys have been inhabited since ancient times. The latin name of this valley, as mentioned in medieval documents, was Gastuna. By the 16th century the reputation of its warm waters and their therapeutic power was widespread, and many people travelled here for this reason in the summer. At that time the name of Bad Gastein was Wildbad Gastein.
In 1807 the emperor Franz I inspected the place personally, in order to decide about projects to build infrastructures to take advantage of the spas as an economic resource. The thermal springs were at an altitude of 1000 metres above sea level, on the slopes of a steep mountain, so it seemed convenient to convey the water to the village of Hofgastein, which lies in the valley. That village, whose name became Badhofgastein, is still nowadays a thermal resort.
Bike ride to Böckstein
by Theomis
During our stay in Badgastein we rented bikes (at our hotel, but there is also a sports store near the train station where you can rent bikes) and went on a bike ride to Böckstein, south of Badgastein. It's a short but beautiful trip. Unlike the streets of Badgastein, there are no steep hills on the way to Böckstein.
Badgastein, grandeur from the past
by Roeffie
Badgastein was one of the first touristic centers of Austria. Several royal persons stayed in the hotels of Badgastein. At has a whole different characteristic than other alpine towns.
At something royal and expensive to it! Nice for a short visit! Main thing to see here is the Gasteiner Ache, a small fast flowing river that cuts Badgastein in two halves.
Greetings Roeffie
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location of hotel
Burgschenke
The entrance to the club
The Sonnblickgruppe
