Semmering

In 1854 the Semmering railway was built, one of the first railways to pass through high alpine mountains. The spectacular landscape and the monumental buildings were declared UNESCO world heritage. The railway made it easily accessible from Vienna and at the fin-de-siecle several monumental hotels were raised here. Semmering is the best known alpine resort in eastern Austria.
The Semmering region encompasses the municipalities Gloggnitz, Payerbach, Maria Schutz, Semmering in Lower Austria and Spital, Mürzzuschlag, Neuberg, Mürzsteg in Styria.

By train with the Semmering railway (Semmeringbahn) either from Vienna or Graz. The Semmering is a mere 100km away from both cities.

The railway connects the major municipalities. The beautiful landscape offers plenty of hike possibilities. Of course all municipalities are connected and accessible by car (S6 highway).

The railway station has an exhibition regarding the Semmering railway which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The local church and several impressive hotels and villas originate from the end of the 19th century and are worth a visit. They are all located along the main road crossing the town and have a beautiful view of the Alps.

• Karl VI Monument

  address: Semmering
  Emperor Karl VI ordered the first Semmering road to be built in 1728 for faster connection between Vienna and the south. The emperor visited and used the newly-opened road on 21 June 1728.

• Rax-Schneeberg GroupThe mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps are the closest mountains to Vienna. In the summer they are a traditional hiking destination. There are also some possible mountain bike routes. Refer to the Keltenkalk guide for the climbing areas. In winter several cross-country skiing routes traverse these mountains.

• Schloss Gloggnitz

  phone: +43 664 39 20 068
  address: Kirchensteig 3
  The former Benedectine monastery sits elevated on a rock in middle of Gloggnitz. It is a popular site for weddings.

• Semmering railwayThe railway solved a big challenge for civil engineering from the pioneering phase of railway building. The high standard of the tunnels, viaducts and other works has ensured the continuous use of the line up to the present day. It runs through a spectacular mountain landscape and there are many fine buildings designed for leisure activities along the way, built when the area was opened up due to the advent of the railway. The historical name is Trieste Route as it connected Vienna with the Adriatic Sea.

• Wallfahrtskirche Maria SchutzThe sanctuary place was built after the water allegedly cured the plague. In 1728 it was rebuilt, and had severe damage after a fire in 1826 and an earth quake in 1837. Since 1925 it has incorporated a Passionistes monastery.

• 1. Wiener HochquellenwasserleitungThe water pipe for Vienna was built in 1872 and there are two tunnels for its flow around Gloggnitz.

Cultural events

• Festspiele Reichenau

  phone: +43 2666-52528
  address: Hauptstraße 28, 2651 Reichenau/Rax
  The festival-performances are mostly theatre-plays in German language from Austrian writers around 1900. There are more than 100 performances of four different plays, a few piano recitals and artist's presentations. Performances take place in two different locations, the old theatre-hall (391 seats) and the new open arena (with stage in the centre, 305 seats), both in the same festival building.

Sports

The Semmering has two nearby ski resorts, of the two the Zauberberg is more popular as it is closer to Vienna. The Stuhleck area however offers more possibilities.

• Ski resort ZauberbergThe Hirschenkogel mountain features 14km of downhill slopes, including a split park for fun-ski and snowboarders. It has huge artificial snow facilities to provide skiing possibilities even in winters with less snow fall in eastern austria. It hosts World Cup Slalom events.

• Ski resort Stuhleck - SemmeringThe Stuhleck mountain has several snow and fun parks. Ten lifts operate on a total of 24km downhill slopes from which 18 km are classified as blue, i.e. easy. The highest station is at 1774 m. There are several huts for lunch or afternoon breaks.

• Mountainbikepark SemmeringIn the summer time the slopes are ready for down hill gear.

• Semmering ski school

  phone: +43 2664 24 71
  address: 2680 Semmering Passhöhe
  Learn to ski or snowboard.

• Skischule Stuhleck

  phone: +43 3853-764
  address: 8684 Spital / Semmering
  Offers courses for ski and snowboard from apprentice level on.

• Gasthof Berghof

  phone: +43 2664 2320
  address: Passhöhe 271
  Simple affordable Austrian food for everyone.

• Kirchenwirt

  phone: +43 2663 8206
  address: 2642 Maria Schutz Nr. 2
  The restaurant fabricates hand made "Klosterkrapfen".

• Restaurant Panhans

  phone: +43 2664 8181
  The chef Michael Hackl earned praise for his regional qualitative food. The menu offers plenty of choices between modern and traditional cuisine. The service is mostly handled by apprentice from the nearby tourism school, which may lack in professionalism. The desserts are recommended. The restaurant mostly sees hotel guests.

• Seewirtshaus

  phone: +43 2664 20030
  address: Zauberberg 2

• Cafe Pub Iglu Pinguin

  phone: +43 2664 8041
  address: Zauberberg 1, Semmering
  Après ski.

• Zauberbar

  phone: +43 676 84622312
  address: Zauberberg 1, 2680 Semmering
  An après ski bar.

Semmering

• Panhans Hotel

  phone: +43 2664 8181
  address: Hochstraße 32
  Is a historic 4 stars hotel in the centre, which opened in 1888 and got enlarged since. For the restaurant of the hotel see above.

• Panoramahotel Wagner

  phone: +43 2664 2512
  address: Hochstraße 267
  Focussed on organic food and living.

Payerbach

• Hotel Payerbacherhof

  phone: +43 2666 52430
  address: Hauptstraße 2
  The Hotel is located at the foot of the Rax mountain. The dinner menu that one can opt in on a per day base has two options with one being vegetarian. The breakfast is included and offers plenty of choices ranging from good Austrian bred with butter and marmalade, eggs, healthy fruits to müsli. The guests facilities include a sauna and a whirl pool.

The ski resort operates several free Wi-Fi access points.

Semmering lies on the Austrian south railway line which connects Vienna and Graz. Of course cities on the track like Baden (Austria), Wiener Neustadt, Bruck an der Mur, Kindberg or Kapfenberg are also easily reached.

• Graz is the second-largest city in Austria. The City of Graz including it's historic centre and Schloss Eggenberg is a world heritage site.
• Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria and by far its most populous city. It is Austria's artistic, cultural, economic and political centre.
• Leoben is the industrial and educational centre of Northern Styria and home of the Austrian mining industry and university.