Gold-digging village of Heiligenblut
Looking for Tauern gold in the Hohe Tauern National Park
During the Gold Rush, thousands of people were on the move in the Hohe Tauern, in search of good fortune in today’s National Park. The gold rush is long gone, yet somehow there is still a certain amount of fascination about Tauern gold. In so far as that in Heiligenblut am Großglockner a gold-digger settlement has been reconstructed, true to the original.
From Tauern gold to Gold Rush
We do not want to go into detail here. Only to say that primary gold deposits supply the material for secondary gold deposits. Chemically, these are very robust and are transported into the streams and rivers. Anyone who is lucky might come across grains, leaves or even bigger clumps, so-called ‘nuggets’ in various water bodies. It was precisely these that people were looking for as part of the Gold Rush in the Hohe Tauern.
The first of its kind
The gold digging village in Fleißtal near Heiligenblut was the first open-air gold-digging museum in Europe, wholly reconstructed in the style of the late 16th century. Thanks to subsidies from the state of Carinthia, support from the EU and many first-rate artisan craftspeople from Heiligenblut and the surrounding area, the dream of a replica of a gold-digging village, true to the original, became reality.
“Original” fun for all the family
Reconstructed to look like the original, the little settlement on the historic area in the Fleißtal inspires. At over 1800m altitude, you get to experience so much about the history of the Gold Rush, about the life of the miners who looked for gold here between the 14th and 18th centuries. And you can then try your luck too, just pull on your rubber boots, grab a basin and meet at the Fleißbach to pan for gold. Gold-diggers will give you great tips and who knows, you might be in luck!
Alpengasthof Alter Pocher
At the end of an exciting day in the gold-digging village of Heiligenblut your belly and throat will probably be letting you know they’re there. Located right in the gold-digging village and surrounded by the majestic 3000 metre mountains in the Hohe Tauern is Alpengasthof “Alter Pocher”. The manager, Monika, looks forward to welcoming you to the inn and to serving real Carinthian specialities and delicious treats from Austrian cuisine.
Facts & Figures
Historic gold-digging settlement above 1800m altitude
Historic mining buildings dating from the 16th century.
Exit onto bend 27 on the Großglockner High Alpine Road
Open from June until September
Gold panning available from € 9.-- per person
Free entry with the Kärnten Card and Nationalpark Kärnten Card
Visit the open-air museum, free
Refreshment stop TIP: Alpengasthof Alter Pocher
Real gold-panning fan says
“I want to go back to Heiligenblut again. On our last summer holidays we went to the Hohe Tauern National Park and I panned for gold on the Fleißbach. Alas, I didn’t find any gold but I definitely want to go back. I’m certain that I will have more luck this year and will find a fat nugget …”!
So, have you now been bitten by the Gold Rush bug and are you certain that you too will strike it lucky when you pan for gold on the Fleißbach?
Get in touch for more information & details, or send us a no-obligation holiday enquiry. Telephone +43 4824 2700
