A historical excursion into the castle and town of Mittersill

The market town of Mittersill was an important trading center as early as the Middle Ages. The lively mule trade of mostly wine and salt over the Felber Tauern made today’s town an important hub in Salzburg’s Pinzgau region. Schloss Mittersill—back then still a fortress—played an important part in Mittersill’s history. But when did Mittersill become a town? Here you can learn more about the history of Mittersill, the castle, and its rulers.

Schloss Mittersill was built around 1150 on the instructions of the Counts of Mittersill (Lechsgemünd), the feudal lords of the Upper Pinzgau, long before the first documented mentions of Mittersill as a market. Almost 150 years later, Gebhart von Velben was enfeoffed with the castle and the provincial court, and his descendant Heinrich von Velben was marshal and castle count. The peasants’ wars brought disaster to the market and the castle. In 1525/26, rebellious peasants plundered and pillaged the castle. The uprising was crushed, and after minor changes, the castle was restored by the Archbishop of Salzburg. The year of completion, 1528, can still be seen above the archway.

Many years later in 1936, the rural and market communities were merged to form the joint municipality of Markt Mittersill. An important event significantly shaped the development of Mittersill. The Felber Tauern Road opened in 1967, making Mittersill once again an important intersection in north-south and east-west traffic. In recent years, Mittersill has developed into an important economic center in the Upper Pinzgau region. Well-known companies such as Blizzard, Fahnen-Gärtner, and various construction companies contribute to great economic success. Through the establishment of various types of schools and the National Park Center, very popular with locals and guests from the beginning, Mittersill has become a school center and the official “National Park Capital.” In 2008, the time had finally come: Mittersill gained “town status” from the provincial government after a vote by the inhabitants.

Since 2009, the castle has been in “Pinzgau hands” for the first time. In the course of the extensive renovation, it was equipped with the most modern comforts. The attention to detail can be felt everywhere and there are numerous mementos of earlier times, making the castle a unique place. It is the combination of the centuries-old ambience and contemporary, high standards that makes a stay at Schloss Mittersill incomparable.

We are delighted to offer you this special experience. Enjoy the beautiful stories at Hotel Schloss Mittersill!