St. Wolfgang - Austria

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St. Wolfgang is a place that will definitely make your list of unique discoveries in the world. Located between Hallstatt and Salzburg, on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee, this amazing city is a mix of history, nature and people full of traditions.

Also known as a SPA town, St. Wolfgang is very popular on weekends, as a haven of peace to rest and get lost in nature. During the winter, the Christmas Market takes over the place, the landscape changes completely and everyone waits for the lake to freeze to go ice skating!

St. Wolfgang has an interesting history. Founded in 976 by Bishop Wolfgang, legend has it that he threw his ax into the mountain and declared that where it landed would be the building site for his church. This was done, and the church was built and the city founded. In 1052 after the canonization of St. Wolfgang, the Church became an important place for pilgrims, who believed in the power of the holy miracle worker. The church is full of gifts that pilgrims brought in longing for a gift.

Another fact that made the city famous worldwide was when the comedy play “Im weißen Rössl am Wolfgangsee” (recorded at the White Horse Inn Hotel) celebrated its premiere in Berlin and was a huge success. The city became world famous and attracted movie stars from all corners of the planet.

From there St. Wolfgang has been developing, mainly in tourism, and today it is considered one of the main centers of relaxation and rest in the Austrian countryside.

The ideal way to travel around Austria is by car. In addition to the roads being very well signposted, the landscapes force you to stop every minute. By car from Salzburg, for example, it will take you a maximum of fifty minutes to reach the center of St. Wolfgang.

Another excellent option is the bus and train. Bus 150 leaves the Salzburg bus station for Bad Ischl where you make a short change, walking 20 meters, and take bus 546. If you are coming from the opposite side, from Vienna for example, the train is an excellent option. It makes a short stop in Bad Ischl too (this town is like a transport hub for many places in the region) where you get off and take the 546 bus. Wolfgang, there's no mistake,and rest assured that most buses, even circular ones, are used to and prepared to receive luggage.

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The best way to get to know this St. Wolfgang and its attractions are within walking distance. The alleys are beautiful and there are every hidden place to take your breath away. Two days and two nights is recommended to stay here, but if you are short on time, one day and one night will be enough to walk around the village and discover the three attractions:

The church

This beautiful and historic church is the starting point of the city and where it all began. When Father Wolfgang decided to build it, legend has it that he made a pact with the devil to finish it, saying that he, the devil, would be the first to enter the church. But the first being to enter the holy church was a wolf, which made the devil very angry. Over the years the church underwent several transformations and during the Middle Ages it was one of the most visited and worshiped shrines in all of Austria.

Note the Gothic altar made by Michael Pacher in 1481. The work is twelve and a half meters high and six meters wide, reproducing details of the life of Jesus. It is a true relic of art history.

The Ferry tour, which takes about two hours, departs from St. Wolfgang and passes through several movie villages to reach St. Gilgen, at the end of lake Wolfgangsee. There, passengers disembark and can explore the city for thirty minutes. I took advantage of this time to have a coffee and contemplate nature, St. Gilgen looks like a doll town.

Schafberg Mountain with the SchafbergBahn train

Climbing to the top of the Schafberg mountain is an indescribable experience. The SchafbergBahn train that makes the journey to the top, reaching a height of 1783 meters, has been in operation since 1893 and is open every year for rides during spring and summer (April to October). The mountain has a whole structure to receive tourists. At the top, there is a cafe to rest and several benches spread across the Alps to admire the landscape. It seems that the sky and the mountain become one.

At the top of the mountain there is also the traditional Hotel Schafbergspitze, managed by the Pasch family.

Each round trip on the train takes around thirty minutes and the up and down times are stipulated every hour. Therefore, the tour can take as long as you define. Detail, only take this tour if the weather is clear, otherwise you won't see anything but the clouds.

Now that you've got all the tips, all you have to do is set up the itinerary, choose the accommodation using BITBOOK.NET, pack your suitcase and throw yourself into the charm of this amazing place.

I have no doubt that you will have unforgettable days. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we'll be happy to answer them!

Safe travel and enjoy this amazing place!