Bad Gastein is not a typical alpine Austrian winter destination. This is because it has a fascinating history, which cannot be overlooked during a walk through the historic town center. With its current population of 3,961 at 1000 meters above sea level, Bad Gastein adorns itself with the name “Monte Carlo of the Alps”. In this blog post, you will learn more about the heyday of tourism in Bad Gastein and the now mysterious-appearing Belle Epoque hotels.
I couldn’t stop looking out of the window as the train passed, I was fascinated by this city from a very young age. Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to visit it many times and it is definitely one of these places I will return to. If this place fascinates you as much as me, let’s dive into the history of Bad Gastein:
Why Bad Gastein become popular
The history of Bad Gastein includes myths and legends involving the steaming waterfall’s healing power. For example, one legend is about two hunters who shoot a deer. While following the blood trail of the animal, it led them to a steaming waterfall, where two mysterious men put water from the waterfall on the wounds of the deer. And so was the animal able to run away without limping.
In the Middle Ages, simple wooden bathtubs were used to enjoy the thermal waters. Men and women were allowed to use the baths together, which in these times was uncommon. The healing thermal waters attracted dukes and counts. An additional major economical factor that brought wealth to Bad Gastein was mining for gold and silver. They earned great yields in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The health aspect of the thermal waters of Bad Gastein
The alpine town of Bad Gastein, has 19 thermal springs, most of which are near the waterfall. This water comes out of the ground with a temperature of 46 °C and has high mineral content, especially the mineral radon (low radioactive ingredients). Studies have been conducted on the contents of thermal water and it has been found that chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be cured.
All the springs contained spend close to 5 million liters of thermal water daily. This water is used for various spa houses and is piped to the valley town of Bad Hofgastein. There they also used it in thermal baths and spa houses.
In the place where now the Hotel Austria is, in former days, there was even a horse thermal bath. After bringing guests to the alpine village with the horses, the animals could enjoy a bath in the thermal water.
Historical high times for Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein was very popular during the imperial period. Tourists from all over the world came to the place to enjoy the healing waters. This resulted in the construction of bigger accommodation facilities: Around 1840, they converted the former tavern directly next to the waterfall into a hotel, Grandhotel Straubinger. As well as the associated bath castle, which was built in the former pigsty. Together with the Hotel Austria, the hotels offered 200 rooms. In addition, the Hotel Straubinger has an important historical significance: during the Habsburg Monarchy, the Gastein Convention, an agreement between Austria and Prussia, was signed in the building.
The construction of the train line that connected Vienna to Bad Gastein was finished in the year 1905. It brought even more tourists to the town. A few years later, one of the most remarkable buildings in town opened – the Grand Hotel del Europe. A 10-floor building in neo-renaissance style offered 148 guest rooms, breakfast and restaurant rooms, ladies’ salon, a reading room, a men’s and smoking salon and thermal bathing rooms. Each room had a hot and cold water supply, electric light, and room telephone. This was a rarity at that time. Therefore, the Grand Hotel del Europe in Bad Gastein was considered the most modern hotel in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In addition to this Belle Epoque architecture and the hotel’s future along Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Street, the small alpine town is given a metropolitan cityscape.
The Grand Hotel del Europe attracted celebrities from all over the world, including Edward Henry Harriman American financer and railroad executive, Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani Ruler of Qatar, Shah of Persia, the Japanese ambassador and the delegation of the Supreme Soviet, to just name a few.
Bad Gastein in the mid and late 1900s – the last heydays
In the 1950-60s winter tourism started to grow in Bad Gastein. The Grand Hotel del Europe had closed since it was hard to maintain and was faced with strong competitors. After extensive modernization, the hotel opened again. Bad Gastein and Grand Hotel del Europe experienced again a massive tourism boom.
In 1958 the ski world championship was held in Bad Gastein. Guests poured into the alpine town for this event. Much more than expected, since it was the first big event in Austria after the postwar period.
However, many of these enormous hotels suffered from the increasingly difficultly maintaining their buildings and the move from summer tourism to winter tourism made it even more difficult. In 1988 the Grand Hotel del Europe got insolvent. Multiple Belle Epoque architecture buildings have been empty and decaying for years. Including the congress center built in the 1970s.
Real-estate businessman Franz Duval bought several historical buildings (Hotel Austria, Congress House, Hotel Straubinger, Badeschloss). He never renovated any of those houses. The future of the historical center of Bad Gastein was uncertain for years. That brought frustration to the locals that could see the empty, enormous concrete structures with a huge potential day after day.
Natural stem bath inside the mountains
The Heilstollen is a tunnel inside the mountain with hot natural steam. In the years 1940-1950 medical experts discovered the healing power of this steam and its minerals. It became very famous for treating rheumatism, asthma and skin problems. It is a worldwide unique natural healing method.
Locals of Bad Gastein enjoy going to the Heilstollen every autumn to boost their immune systems for the winter.
I myself had the privilege of experiencing the natural steam bath. During yoga autumn, I book an event called Meditation at the healing tunnel. So, there I was with a bounce of other participants sitting in the seminar room of the building to enter the healing tunnel. First, we got some information about the tunnel and the healing minerals. Then a quick check at the doctor. Finally, dressed in a bathrobe, we were sitting in a tiny train which brought us inside the tunnel where the loungers are. In the beginning, lying on the loungers in such steamy hot air inside the mountain was a strange feeling. But over time, I got used to the hot air and relaxed. After the meditation, the train brought us back to the entrance. I felt super relaxed and at peace.
If you want to do something for your health or are just curious, I recommend you go there!
The clientele of the town today
Nevertheless, even though the historical center consists of old, empty hotels. Other hotels around the center got back on track, belonging to a Swedish investor and attracting a lot of Scandinavians every winter. In addition, the destination management organization of Bad Gastein is very active in promoting the region, also as an all-year-round destination.
The focus of the tourism board is on nature, health, sports, culture and art.
Artists, exhibitions and concerts are now bringing back life to the once-called Monte Carlo of the alps. Especially artists from Germany got captivated by Bad Gastein and brought their art into the town. Philipp Hochmeier a German actor, is amazed by visiting these old hotels or how he is calling them “the forgotten worlds… to travel into the worlds of yesterday”. The actor Lars Eidinger describes likewise his fascination with the town. Friedrich Lichtenstein used Bad Gastein’s historical buildings for his music video:
A regular summer event with the name “summer frische kunst” offers artists since 2011 in Bad Gastein a place to showcase their art and creates a platform for exchange.
And so the investors realized the upcoming cliental of Bad Gastein..
The future of Bad Gastein’s historical hotels
Hotel Straudinger is currently getting renovated, exciting times for the town. As this listed building was empty for such a long time. The Munich-based Hirmer real estate company bought the buildings under the condition of converting them into a 4 or 5-star hotel within three years. The planned finishing of the renovations is in 2023. The roofers Arno Kofler who is involved in the new construction of the hotel, is worried about Bad Gastein losing its identity. But also points out the development is positive.
I believe many involved parties and the local society are curious about the development that Bad Gastein will take.
Also, the once so well-known Grand Hotel del’ Europe changed. For some years, the rooms were used for a casino. Now it belongs to various owners and is an apartment house. In the basement is also a restaurant/bar.
More Lost Place Pictures of Bad Gastein.
If you were inspired by this post and want to learn more about the history of Bad Gastein: Every Wednesday at 3:30 pm is a historical walking tour in Bad Gastein. It is best to inquire at the tourist information office whether it takes place (it is possible that it only takes place in high season).
All the sources used for this article.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
