Discover Mariapfarr

Those who choose Mariapfarr for their holiday will find a place where Silent Night history, pilgrimage and mountain landscapes come together. In Mariapfarr, numerous hiking trails invite you to discover the picturesque mountain landscape of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At the same time, the museum and churches tell a story that extends far beyond a single day trip. This gives Mariapfarr different points of reference for planning your trip – from cultural discoveries to active pursuits.

Silent Night, pilgrimage and remarkable exhibits

The Parish, Pilgrimage and Silent Night Museum dedicates two rooms to Joseph Mohr. From 1815 to 1817, he worked in Mariapfarr as an assistant priest and wrote the lyrics of the Silent Night song there in 1816. Anyone interested in the origins of this famous song will find a tangible connection to the history of the village here.

The collection itself also has some special details to offer. The museum treasury displays the “Silver Altar” from 1443. It also features a large nativity scene with around 100 figures dating from 1750. These two exhibits in particular provide different historical perspectives during a museum visit: the Silver Altar refers to sacred art, while the nativity scene presents an extensive depiction of the Christmas story.

Mariapfarr Pilgrimage Basilica has a centuries-old pilgrimage tradition and is regarded as an outstanding pilgrimage site. The parish church of “Our Lady” in Mariapfarr was elevated to basilica status in 2018. Its older history also includes the first documented mention, dating from 923, as the mother church of Lungau. This probably refers to the small St. Lawrence Church in Althofen. Those who would like to include cultural and religious topics in their holiday planning can earmark these places as separate focal points.

Hiking trails, the Sun Educational Trail and cycling trips

Mariapfarr’s numerous hiking trails provide opportunities for movement in the landscape. A special feature is the Sun Educational Trail: it opened on Friday, 23 June 2006, as Austria’s first educational trail on the subject of the sun. The Sun Educational Trail thus combines a specific natural theme with a more recent chapter of the village’s history. When planning your day, the trail can be considered a thematic addition to a hike or cultural visit, without requiring a particular trail duration.

Cycling travellers will also find a clear point of reference: the Lungau Bike Tour can be started in Mariapfarr. Those choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore consider whether the village is suitable as a starting point for a trip with changing interests from day to day. The Fanningberg ski area is situated at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,100 m. This elevation provides a specific reference value when comparing different ways of spending your holiday.

For quieter moments, the Samsunn Vitality and Wellness Centre is a place of well-being and health. This allows active, cultural and more relaxing interests to be incorporated into your personal travel planning in Mariapfarr, without limiting your holiday to just one season or a single activity.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Mariapfarr, it is worth first deciding on your preferred focus. If you would like to get to know Joseph Mohr, the Silent Night Museum, the treasury or the basilica, the cultural character of the village takes centre stage. If you are planning hikes or the start of the Lungau Bike Tour, Mariapfarr becomes the focal point as a starting place for your activities. Those who would also like to take the Fanningberg ski area into account can separately assess the desired regional focus when choosing their accommodation.

For families, the combination of vivid history, landscapes and various activity ideas is interesting because adults and children can choose their own holiday themes. The nativity scene with around 100 figures, a visit to the museum, an educational trail or a day on the hiking trails each create different focal points. When looking for accommodation, make sure that its connection to Mariapfarr matches your planned holiday arrangements.

If you would like to include additional destinations in your planning, you can also look at Thomatal, Katschberg, Lessach, Mauterndorf, Muhr, St. Martin, Zankwarn and Weißpriach.

For the broader travel overview: Tamsweg.