Municipality in Lower Austria, Austria
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Semmering is an alpine pass connecting Lower Austria and Styria. The Semmering railway is a UNESCO world heritage site as it is the first high alpine mountain railway.
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Carolus Denkmal
Emperor Karl VI ordered the first Semmering road to be built in 1728 for faster connection between Vienna and the south. The emperor visited and used the newly-opened road on 21 June 1728.
Rax Schneeberg Gruppe
The mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps are the closest mountains to Vienna. In the summer they are a traditional hiking destination. There are also some possible mountain bike routes. Refer to the Keltenkalk guide for the climbing areas. In winter several cross-country skiing routes traverse these mountains.
The former Benedectine monastery sits elevated on a rock in middle of Gloggnitz. It is a popular site for weddings.
Semmeringbahn
The railway solved a big challenge for civil engineering from the pioneering phase of railway building. The high standard of the tunnels, viaducts and other works has ensured the continuous use of the line up to the present day. It runs through a spectacular mountain landscape and there are many fine buildings designed for leisure activities along the way, built when the area was opened up due to the advent of the railway. The historical name is Trieste Route as it connected Vienna with the Adriatic Sea.
The sanctuary place was built after the water allegedly cured the plague. In 1728 it was rebuilt, and had severe damage after a fire in 1826 and an earth quake in 1837. Since 1925 it has incorporated a Passionistes monastery.
First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline
The water pipe for Vienna was built in 1872 and there are two tunnels for its flow around Gloggnitz.
The festival-performances are mostly theatre-plays in German language from Austrian writers around 1900. There are more than 100 performances of four different plays, a few piano recitals and artist's presentations. Performances take place in two different locations, the old theatre-hall (391 seats) and the new open arena (with stage in the centre, 305 seats), both in the same festival building.
Semmering
The Hirschenkogel mountain features 14km of downhill slopes, including a split park for fun-ski and snowboarders. It has huge artificial snow facilities to provide skiing possibilities even in winters with less snow fall in eastern Austria. It hosts World Cup Slalom events.
Stuhleck
The Stuhleck mountain has several snow and fun parks. Ten lifts operate on a total of 24 km of downhill slopes from which 18 km are classified as blue, i.e. easy. The highest station is at 1774 m. There are several huts for lunch or afternoon breaks.
In the summer time the slopes are ready for down hill gear.
Simple affordable Austrian food for everyone.
The restaurant fabricates hand made "Klosterkrapfen".
The chef Michael Hackl earned praise for his regional qualitative food. The menu offers plenty of choices between modern and traditional cuisine. The service is mostly handled by apprentice from the nearby tourism school, which may lack in professionalism. The desserts are recommended. The restaurant mostly sees hotel guests.
Christian Riess
Après ski.
An après ski bar.
Grand Hotel am Semmering
It is a historic 4-star hotel in the centre, which opened in 1888. For the restaurant of the hotel see above.
Focussed on organic food and living.
Familie Hübner
The Hotel is located at the foot of the Rax mountain. The dinner menu that one can opt in on a per day base has two options with one being vegetarian. The breakfast is included and offers plenty of choices ranging from good Austrian bread with butter and marmalade, eggs, healthy fruits to müsli. The guests facilities include a sauna and a whirl pool.
By train with the Semmering railway (Semmeringbahn) either from Vienna or Graz. The Semmering is a mere 100 km away from both cities.
Read in the guideThe railway connects the major municipalities. The beautiful landscape offers plenty of hike possibilities. Of course, all municipalities are connected and accessible by car (S6 highway).
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Feldkirchen bei Graz · International · GRZ
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