What could be better than mountains?
Only lakes surrounded by these mountains. It is impossible to take your eyes off this "picture" - the lake beckons, enchants, delights and wins your heart forever. And you involuntarily begin to envy people living among such beauty.
The small resort town of Gmunden is located on the shores of one of the charming Austrian lakes - Traunsee (Salkammergut region). Thousands of tourists come here to admire nature, breathe in the healing alpine air and heal their health. And the resort city has a long history.
In ancient times, the Celts settled here, later a Roman settlement appeared. In the Middle Ages, Gmunden flourished thanks to the salt trade - the city was an important point for the transportation and sale of this product. By the 19th century, the heyday of the salt trade came to an end, and Gmunden had to look for new sources of income.
Thanks to the mild mountain climate and picturesque nature, Gmunden turned into a resort and became the summer residence of the European aristocracy. Many celebrities of that time liked to relax in Gmunden - Brahms, Schubert, Strauss, Bartok. In the summer of 1825, Schubert, while visiting his friend, composed his famous song cycle based on the verses of Walter Scott. Schubert is said to have written the most famous song of this cycle, Ave Maria, while admiring Orth Castle.
Orth Castle is a symbol of the city and is very popular among tourists. A distinctive feature of the castle are two buildings erected opposite each other. One - Seeschloss or castle on the water - is located on a small island, to which a wooden bridge leads. The “water” castle is considered the oldest building in Gmunden (the first building is attributed to the end of the 10th century). The second castle - Landschloss, a castle on the ground - was built later, in the 17th century, on the shore.
During its long history, Orth Castle has changed many owners: first it was owned by the Horts, then the Habsburgs, then the city of Gmunden, and then it returned to the possession of the Habsburgs again.
Another attraction of Gmunden is the shortest tram line in the world, only 2.3 km. It connects the station with the central square of the city.
The main city square, Rathausplatz, is located right on the shore of the lake. From here you can go on a pleasure boat on the lake, or you can just relax on the embankment, admiring the beauty of the Traunsee, watch the "waterfowl" and listen to the chime of ceramic bells on the Gmunden town hall.
You can also walk along the old streets going up from the Town Hall Square, go to the Church of the Three Kings with unique old frescoes or climb the funicular to the top of Mount Grü nber and see a magnificent panorama of the city and the lake. Or walk through the numerous shops selling ceramic products - another Gmunden business card. After all, the production of ceramics began here in the Middle Ages, and at the beginning of the 20th century a ceramic manufactory appeared in the city, thanks to which Gmunden ceramics became known not only in Austria, but throughout the world.
