Zirl Between Cultural Heritage and Gorge Trails

Zirl surprises visitors with an unusual combination of living traditions, castles and historic buildings, as well as impressive paths through gorges. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Zirl can therefore tailor their stay to a wide range of interests: culture, nature experiences, hikes or an excursion to the Martinswand.

Traditions and History in Zirl

A special highlight of the annual calendar is Zachäus singing. This annual fair tradition takes place on the third Sunday in October from 4:30 a.m. Its significance extends beyond the individual event day: In September 2015, Zirl’s Zachäus singing was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. For travellers who would like to get to know regional customs, this date is a notable reason to plan their trip for autumn.

The history of the buildings and the town also offers notable points of reference. The Fragenstein castle ruins are protected as a listed monument by official decree. The castle is estimated to have been built between 1200 and 1227. The Old Roman Bridge, the Catholic parish church of the Holy Cross and the cemetery in Zirl are also protected as listed monuments; for the latter two sites, the protection applies by regulation. Each of these protected buildings offers a different perspective on the history of the town, without needing to be combined into a single attraction.

The Roman military station of Teriolis is also of historical interest. It existed in the 4th or 5th century BC at the intersection of important transport routes. In 1280, Zirl was mentioned as a transshipment station and transshipment depot, as well as a transport hub for the roads from Innsbruck to Telfs and from Innsbruck to Mittenwald. The history of the castles also includes St. Martinsberg: The castle located in Zirl was expanded under Emperor Maximilian around 1500 into a hunting lodge with a game park.

Gorges, a Cave and the Martinswand

Alongside its cultural focus, natural formations shape the possible holiday experiences. The Maximilian Grotto is located in the Martinswand near Zirl, around 200 metres above the floor of the Inn Valley. The natural cave is 26 metres wide and 19 metres high. These specific dimensions make the grotto a memorable destination for anyone wishing to combine unusual landscapes and historical connections during a trip through Zirl.

For hikers, the Ehnbach Gorge offers a route that is well secured with footbridges, steps and wire ropes. Another option is the easy circular hike in the Lower Schlossbach Gorge. It starts at a covered wooden bridge and then continues through the large Hausbogen into the Lower Gorge. A waterfall lies at the end of the route. The two routes focus on different aspects: the Ehnbach Gorge focuses on a secured path through the gorge, while the Lower Schlossbach Gorge offers a circular hike with a clearly described route and a waterfall at the end.

The Martinswand is now a popular climbing hotspot. This focus complements the hiking and nature experiences with a sporting perspective. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether culture, a day of hiking through a gorge or climbing at the Martinswand is the decisive factor for you.

Other Places to Include in Your Search

If you would like to compare Zirl with other places, you can also include Schmirn, Kolsassberg, Ampass, Absam, Gries Im Sellrain, Fritzens, Flaurling and Unterperfuss in your further research.

For the higher-level travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.