The history of early tourism in Kaprun can be divided into two distinct phases. Our exhibition shows both and introduces visitors to the development of Kaprun as a touristic destination.
In the earlier 19th century, Kaprun was known as a “mountain guide village”. This development can be read on the information board in the corridor in front of the exhibition room. While the first climbers of the Wiesbachhorn were two farmers in 1806, the Kitzsteinhorn was first climbed by surveyors and Johann Entacher in 1828. Even before the popularisation of the Pinzgau among mountaineers, Archbishop Cardinal Friedrich Schwarzenberg reached the summit of the Wiesbachhorn in 1841. The period after this ascent saw the publication of various hiking guides, descriptions of the mountains and similar works, as well as the founding of the Austrian Alpine Club.
Kaprun became more and more popular among mountaineers; the infrastructure was expanded and regulations for the omnipresent mountain guides were introduced. Our exhibition shows pictures of the development of the alpine infrastructure as well as the people involved in its development. Historical equipment, documents and badges also illustrate this pioneering phase of tourism in our community.
With the end of the 19th century – and a visit by Emperor Franz Josef I on 10 July 1893 – a change in tourism occurred. Nikolaus Gassner used Kaprun’s sudden fame to drive the development of tourism. Thus, his actions led to the construction of the footpath in the Sigmund Thun Gorge, the travel path to the Kesselfall, the cart path to the Mooserboden, other paths into the mountains as well as the Mooserboden Hotel. At a table, visitors are invited to explore historical offers and receive information about hotels, activities, attractions and famous guests.
A main attraction is the only trap (Bergwagerl) preserved in such a condition, which was used to transport noble guests from the Hotel Kesselfall to the Mooserboden. This means of transport thus also symbolises the former summer resort tourism practised by members of the upper classes. Early tourism in our region was characterised by extremely wealthy people who wanted to stay far away from the big cities and yet did not want to do without luxury.
