Wildschönau is a municipality within the district of Kufstein in the state of Tyrol 6 km south of Wörgl.

Wildschönau
Oberau, Wildschönau
Oberau, Wildschönau
Coat of arms of Wildschönau
Location within Kufstein district
Location within Kufstein district
Wildschönau is located in Austria
Wildschönau
Wildschönau
Location within Austria
Coordinates: 47°27′00″N 12°03′00″E / 47.45000°N 12.05000°E / 47.45000; 12.05000
CountryAustria
StateTyrol
DistrictKufstein
Government
 • MayorHannes Eder (ÖVP)
Area
 • Total
97.42 km2 (37.61 sq mi)
Elevation
938 m (3,077 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total
4,242
 • Density44/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6311, 6313, 6314
Area code+43 5339
Vehicle registrationKU
Website[1]

The 24 km long high valley near Wörgl is one of the district's tourist centers. Besides a few hamlets, the municipality consists of the four church villages Niederau, Oberau, Auffach and Thierbach and is situated in the Kitzbühel Alps. The municipal office is located in Oberau.

Besides two tourist seasons, the intense highland agriculture plays an economic role. A lot of inhabitants commute to their place of work in other municipalities. The municipality Wildschönau is based on "gentle" tourism and emphasizes not being a ski circuit like the nearby Kitzbühel. Several older T-bar lifts in the skiing region of Schatzberg (Auffach) were replaced with two chair lifts. A lift connection with the Alpbach valley was built in Summer 2012.

For a long time, mining took place.

Neighbouring municipalities

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Position within Tyrol

Alpbach, Brixlegg, Hopfgarten im Brixental, Kundl, Wörgl.

Boundaries

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The western border of the valley is formed by the following mountains (listed from north to south): Gratlspitz, Schatzberg, Joelspitze, Lämpersberg, Kleiner Beil, Großer Beil (the highest mountain in the valley), and Sonnjoch. In the east there are the: Roßkopf, Feldalphorn, Schwaiberghorn, Breiteggern, and Breiteggspitze (listed from north to south). In the north, the valley is separated from the Inntal by a much lower mountain chain, which is cleft by the Kundler Klamm, above which is the Kragenjoch. At the end of the valley is a rather flat pass, the Schafsiedeljoch.

History

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The first mention of Wildschönau dates back to 1193–95, when the Bavarian count Henry of Lechsgemünd-Rettenberg transferred some of his people to the Herrenchiemsee cloister. Among the testimonies of the deed issued in that circumstance was the ministerialis «Adelbertus de Wiltsconenŏwe» (Albert of Wildschönau).[3]

Coat of arms

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Legend has it that the high valley was originally covered by a lake, with a dragon living on its shores. A farmer killed the dragon and during its death struggle, it smashed the rocks which retained the lake. The water poured down through the resulting flume, the so-called Kundler Klamm, towards the Inn valley and the high valley was released. The coat of arms depicts the legendary dragon, while cleaving the rock.

References

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  1. ^ "Dauersiedlungsraum der Gemeinden Politischen Bezirke und Bundesländer - Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Einwohnerzahl 1.1.2018 nach Gemeinden mit Status, Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. ^ Martin Bitschnau, Hannes Obermair (eds). Tiroler Urkundenbuch. II. Abt.: Die Urkunden zur Geschichte des Inn-, Eisack- und Pustertals. Vol. 2: 1140—1200. Innsbruck: Wagner 2012. ISBN 978-3-7030-0485-8, p. 382, no. 881.
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