Ramsau am Dachstein
Encyclopedia
Ramsau am Dachstein is a municipality in the district of Liezen, state
of Styria, Austria
. It is also the name of the elevated plateau between the Dachstein range and the Enns
valley on which this municipality is located.
The appendage am Dachstein is added to distinguish the municipality from others of the same name existing in Austria. It is usually omitted in common speech.
valley in the south. While the Dachstein range contains peaks up to 2,995 m (9,826 ft) and the towns of the Enns vally, such as Schladming
, lie at around 700 m (2,300 ft) above sea level, the Ramsau plateau
is a comparatively level piece of land at an elevation of around 1,100 m (3,600 ft). Towards the north, some hills at the foot of the mountain range rise up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft). At approximately 75 km² (29 sq mi), the plateau is an exceptional geological feature in the rugged terrain of the Alps
which is more usually characterized by high mountain ranges and narrow valleys.
The municipality of Ramsau am Dachstein is made up of several smaller towns, namely Leiten, Rössing, Ramsau, Schildlehen, Vorberg and Hirzegg. Owing to their position on a plateau, the settlements are more spread out than in a typical Alpine valley. The overall population of the municipality was recorded as 2,701 in the 2001 census.
and St. Peter's
. After the events of the Reformation
and the Counter-reformation
of the 16th century, the relatively secluded Ramsau emerged as one of the few thoroughly Protestant communities in Austria; something which it remains to this day.
As early as the 15th century, the area established a tradition in the manufacture of loden
, a thick cloth used in the traditional dress of the wider region. With the advent of commercial tourism in the late 19th century the area gained another steady source of income.
. Owing to the historically close connection of cross-country skiing and ski jumping (cf. Nordic sports
), several ski jumps were erected in the region in the 20th century. The excellence of the Nordic venues of Ramsau am Dachstein was recognized by FIS
when it awarded the region the 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
. There are also several smaller lifts for Alpine skiing along the hills on the north side of the plateau. In addition, Ramsau hosts the base station of the cable car
leading up to the Dachstein glacier
. On top of the Dachstein, there is a year-round resort for Alpine skiing
, cross-country skiing
, and snowboarding
.
States of Austria
Austria is a federal republic made up of nine states, known in German as Länder . Since Land is also the German word for a country, the term Bundesländer is often used instead to avoid ambiguity. The Constitution of Austria uses both terms...
of Styria, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. It is also the name of the elevated plateau between the Dachstein range and the Enns
Enns River
The Enns is a southern tributary of the Danube River, joining northward at Enns, Austria. The Enns River spans , in a flat-J-shape. It flows from its source near the towns of Gasthofalm and Flachau, generally eastward through Radstadt, Schladming, and Liezen, then turns north near Hieflau, to flow...
valley on which this municipality is located.
The appendage am Dachstein is added to distinguish the municipality from others of the same name existing in Austria. It is usually omitted in common speech.
Geography
Ramsau am Dachstain is situated between the Dachstein range of mountains in the north and the EnnsEnns River
The Enns is a southern tributary of the Danube River, joining northward at Enns, Austria. The Enns River spans , in a flat-J-shape. It flows from its source near the towns of Gasthofalm and Flachau, generally eastward through Radstadt, Schladming, and Liezen, then turns north near Hieflau, to flow...
valley in the south. While the Dachstein range contains peaks up to 2,995 m (9,826 ft) and the towns of the Enns vally, such as Schladming
Schladming
Schladming is a small mining town in the Austrian state of Styria, that is now very popular with tourists. It has become a large ski resort and has held various skiing competitions recently. The shopping area has lots of cafes, restaurant and a variety of shops and caters well for tourists.As of...
, lie at around 700 m (2,300 ft) above sea level, the Ramsau plateau
Plateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
is a comparatively level piece of land at an elevation of around 1,100 m (3,600 ft). Towards the north, some hills at the foot of the mountain range rise up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft). At approximately 75 km² (29 sq mi), the plateau is an exceptional geological feature in the rugged terrain of the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
which is more usually characterized by high mountain ranges and narrow valleys.
The municipality of Ramsau am Dachstein is made up of several smaller towns, namely Leiten, Rössing, Ramsau, Schildlehen, Vorberg and Hirzegg. Owing to their position on a plateau, the settlements are more spread out than in a typical Alpine valley. The overall population of the municipality was recorded as 2,701 in the 2001 census.
History
The name Ramsau was first recorded as Ramsowe in a document dated to around 1120 AD. Important landowners during the feudal period and beyond were the abbeys of AdmontAdmont Abbey
Admont Abbey is a foundation of the Benedictines on the River Enns in the town of Admont in Austria and is the oldest remaining monastery in Styria...
and St. Peter's
St. Peter's Archabbey, Salzburg
St Peter's Archabbey, otherwise St Peter's Abbey in Salzburg is a Benedictine monastery in Austria. It is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the German-speaking area, if not in fact the oldest.-History:...
. After the events of the Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
and the Counter-reformation
Counter-Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was the period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648 as a response to the Protestant Reformation.The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major elements:#Ecclesiastical or...
of the 16th century, the relatively secluded Ramsau emerged as one of the few thoroughly Protestant communities in Austria; something which it remains to this day.
As early as the 15th century, the area established a tradition in the manufacture of loden
Loden
Loden may refer to:*Water-resistant material for clothing made from sheep's wool, without removing the lanolin. It is usually green and used in Austrian traditional clothing. See Loden cape....
, a thick cloth used in the traditional dress of the wider region. With the advent of commercial tourism in the late 19th century the area gained another steady source of income.
Tourism and sports
Due to its exceptional geography of relatively flat terrain at a high elevation, the Ramsau plateau has developed as a major center for cross-country skiingCross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
. Owing to the historically close connection of cross-country skiing and ski jumping (cf. Nordic sports
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
), several ski jumps were erected in the region in the 20th century. The excellence of the Nordic venues of Ramsau am Dachstein was recognized by FIS
International Ski Federation
The International Ski Federation, known by its name in French, Fédération Internationale de Ski is the main international organisation for ski sports...
when it awarded the region the 1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
1999 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships
The FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1999 took place February 19-28, 1999 in Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria. The 7.5 km Nordic combined sprint event debuted at these championships.- 10 km classical :February 22, 1999- 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit :...
. There are also several smaller lifts for Alpine skiing along the hills on the north side of the plateau. In addition, Ramsau hosts the base station of the cable car
Gondola lift
A gondola lift is a type of aerial lift, normally called a cable car, which is supported and propelled by cables from above. It consists of a loop of steel cable that is strung between two stations, sometimes over intermediate supporting towers. The cable is driven by a bullwheel in a terminal,...
leading up to the Dachstein glacier
Dachstein Glacier
Dachstein Glacier is a glacier located above the town of Ramsau am Dachstein in Austria.- Skiing :The Dachstein is a popular ski area that remains snow-covered for much of the year. It has one T-Bar Lift and one two-seater chairlift, as well as a cable car to take people to the glacier.- Ski Tours...
. On top of the Dachstein, there is a year-round resort for Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing
Alpine skiing is the sport of sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. Alpine skiing can be contrasted with skiing using free-heel bindings: Ski mountaineering and nordic skiing – such as cross-country; ski jumping; and Telemark. In competitive alpine skiing races four...
, cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
, and snowboarding
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
.
External links
- Official website
- Info-Plattform about Ramsau in 58 Languages
- http://austria.europe-mountains.com/styria/ramsau-am-dachstein.aspx