Bad Ischl: a place to visit

Imperial and royal charm

A town with imperial and royal history

Archaeological finds prove that the Romans and Celts settled here as early as the 1st century. However, Ischl’s golden age did not begin until the 19th century. Thanks to the brine baths established by the saltworks physician Josef Götz, doctors from outside the region and, subsequently, patients suddenly took an interest in spa treatments in Ischl. The first spa guests arrived in 1822, the first saltwater bath was established in 1823, and the first hotel in the Salzkammergut opened in 1827. With the establishment of the summer resort, wealthy tourists from all over Europe came here to enjoy the healing waters, the clean air and the romantic natural surroundings. Emperor Franz Joseph I was already taken with Ischl in his childhood. His parents had already spent time here recuperating, and he himself spent a total of 81 summers here! It is no surprise that he built his summer residence here and that his engagement to Sissi also took place in his favourite spot. As a wedding gift, the couple received a summer villa from his parents, which would later become the Imperial Villa. It is built in the shape of an ‘E’ (for Elisabeth). With the Emperor came culture and many tourists to the town. Ischl’s reputation echoed throughout Europe. Anton Bruckner, Johann Strauss, Franz Lehár and Johannes Brahms regularly spent their summers here. Ischl had become a world-class meeting place for artists. The architectural remnants of this era still contribute to the charm of Bad Ischl today. In 1906, Ischl was finally renamed Bad Ischl. In 1920, it was designated a spa town, and in 1940, Bad Ischl was finally granted town status.

Places of interest in Ischl

Bad Ischl is well worth a visit just for a stroll. However, those wishing to explore the town in more depth should take a closer look at a few things. Unmissable and resplendent in the centre of Bad Ischl is the Imperial Villa with its extensive Imperial Park, the Marble Palace and Sissi’s Tea House. Anyone wishing to learn about the history of the monarchy should book a guided tour here. The villa of the operetta composer Franz Lehár stands right on the banks of the Traun and has been preserved in its original state (visits are only possible with a guided tour). He is said to have remarked that this was where his best ideas always came to him. Certainly one more reason to visit Bad Ischl. The Trinkhalle in the centre dates from 1831 and stands like a Greek temple. It was formerly a venue for drinking cures and now serves as a visitor centre hosting a range of events. The town museum is housed in the engagement house of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. Here you can learn all about history, salt production, cures, customs and, of course, imperial life and the culture of that era. The East Asian collection of the Ischl-born world traveller Hans Sarsteiner is also well worth a visit. Other interesting museums in the town include the Photography Museum, the Salzkammergut Natural History Museum and the Vehicle, Technology and Aviation Museum. Those wishing to enjoy the views should head up the Siriuskogel or take a ride on the Katrin cable car.

Ischl’s delights

Cultural delights are the order of the day in Bad Ischl: the Kongress & TheaterHaus, the Operetta Festival, the Lehár Festival and the Bauernherbst are just a few of the highlights on the annual calendar of events. One must also mention a culinary speciality of Bad Ischl. For here stands the Zauner confectionery. It was once the imperial and royal court confectioner and created many a sweet delicacy for the imperial couple, which can still be bought today. These include Ischl wafers, Ischl tartlets, Ischl croissants, the Zauner Guglhupf and, of course, the famous Zauner Stollen.
We recommend simply sitting down at Café Zauner and indulging in these sweet treats.

written by Christian Messmer