Zillertaler Urgesteine - personalities
The Zillertal is known for its culture and history, which is reflected in its personalities, crafts and the traditions of the region. The Zillertal's "Urgesteinen" include not only musicians, artists and craftsmen, but also athletes, hoteliers and chefs. Through their work, all of these contribute to making the region known and keeping its traditions alive. Craftsmanship, such as woodwork and textile production, has a long history in the valley and is an important part of its cultural heritage. The Zillertal is proud of its rich history and culture and works hard to preserve it for future generations. Learn their stories here.
Roman Erler
Wondrous ice formations, mysterious cavities and frozen waterfalls – deep in the heart of the Hintertux Glacier, twelve years ago, Zillertal local Roman Erler discovered a system of caves like no other in the world, which is still shrouded in mystery to this very day: the Natur Eis Palast (Nature’s Ice Palace).
Theresa Kröll
In Stumm, Theresa Kröll still hand-produces tailor-made Zillertal folk costumes and Tux loden jackets. Theresa Kröll is one of the very few seamstresses who still make traditional Zillertal folk costumes. When she finished agricultural school, she originally wanted to be a geriatric nurse. However, plan B turned out to be even better: “The tailor’s shop is my true destiny.”
Didi Wechselberger
The Adlerbühne Ahorn is the highest bird of prey station in Europe. At an altitude of 2,000 metres, these Zillertal Alps sky aesthetes truly live up to their name. And they are only one wing flap away.
Martin Fankhauser
Martin Fankhauser, master distiller with a passion, makes tradition come alive in the in-house show distillery. Here, a wide variety of fine brandies and liqueurs are produced from regional ingredients. The necessary knowledge about distilling has always been passed down from generation to generation in the Stiegenhaushof.
Alexander Stiegler
A very rare craft has been passed down for six generations by the Stiegler family from Stumm in the Zillertal: Satchel and quill embroidery. Alexander Stiegler is one of the last in Austria to master this subtle craft and continue to live this centuries-old tradition. Each satchel is unmistakable and bears the embroiderer's very personal signature. At least 130 hours of handwork go into each finished piece.
Peter Erler
When he was only 12 years old, Peter Erler spent the whole summer alone on the Stoankasernalm for the first time. The Stoankasern mountain cheese dairy is a rustic snack station. Here at 2,000 metres above sea level, nestled in a wildly romantic landscape, award-winning mountain cheese matures from milk from happy cows. The cows graze on lush alpine meadows, eating wild herbs and grasses. Peter Erler processes the milk into the best mountain cheese. For him, life here is home.
Thomas Rauch
Thomas Rauch masters an ancient craft like no other person in the Zillertal: he makes beautiful little works of art from antlers. The passionate hunter uses only antlers that are already dead. For him, deer horn carving combines a wonderful mixture of tradition, handicraft and love of nature.
Andreas Eder
Coal in, wood in, then a fire is lit. The stoker Andreas Eder and the engine driver Bernhard Krismer roll through the Zillertal at full steam, namely with the historic steam train of the Zillertal Railway. The steam locomotive is almost 120 years old and as the train travels through the picturesque Zillertal to Mayrhofen, it exudes the charming romance of times gone by and relaxed nostalgia.
Family Hartl
Family Hartl is the fourth generation to make the original Zillertal Doggln. The traditional felt shoe is made of 100% natural materials and is known and appreciated far beyond the borders of the Zillertal. The fashion designer Vivienne Westwood brought this eccentric and classic shoe onto the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week.
Margret Schiestl
Margret Schiestl is a Zillertal power woman, artist and fashion designer. With her fashion label "Tiroler Adlerin" she has not only fulfilled a dream, but created a fashion brand that is known far beyond the borders of the Zillertal. Anyone who meets the Tiroler Adlerin immediately senses how imposing the wingspan of the self-confident designer is.
Christoph Anfang
The Spannagelhöhle cave on the Hintertux glacier is fascinating, thrilling, mysterious. And an unforgettable climbing experience for all daredevils who move through the narrow gorges. Christoph Anfang was born in Tux and is a trained cave guide. He also works as a farmer and at some point he stopped counting how many times he has already descended into the Spannagelhöhle.
Peter Fankhauser
Peter Fankhauser is a Gault Millau chef and successful permaculture gardener in Zillertal. In his vegan/vegetarian restaurant "Guatz Essen" in Stumm he cooks and serves exclusive menus, mainly from the rich harvest of his permaculture garden
Maria Pfister
Maria Pfister makes wine and runs the first wine tavern in Zillertal at the Gielerhof winery. In 2014 she took over the farm from her parents, had soil samples taken and realised: viticulture in Zillertal is possible! And at the latest with the first sip of the "Zillertal wine" it becomes clear: it tastes good!
Markus Kröll
The extreme trail runner and nature lover Markus Kröll is on the road with Stephan Eberharter, one of Austria's most successful ski racers, in the high mountain nature park Zillertal Alps. They explore the impressive mountain world of the Zillertal Alps on touring skis.
Matthias Schiestl
The 3-time climbing world champion Matthias Schiestl is a full professional, a man of the heart and a mountain expert. His climbing paradise is in nearby Ginzling. The "Eternal Hunting Grounds" promise plenty of variety and climbing for beginners and professionals.
Andreas Hotter
In 2018, the bar manager and hotelier Andreas Hotter in the Hotel Englhof in Zell am Ziller won the “Mixology Bar Award” for the best bar in Austria.
Peter Habeler
Peter Habeler, who in 1978 together with Reinhold Messner succeeded in making the first ascent of Mount Everest without artificial oxygen supply, is an extreme mountaineer, mountain guide and pioneer of Tyrolean alpinism. Here he is climbing the 3476-metres-high Olperer
Hannes Dengg
Schnapps has been distilled at the Innerummerland distillery for 300 years. Hannes Dengg, schnapps distiller, is seen here "digging for masterwort", collecting his most important ingredient, the masterwort. It is also known as a medicinal plant and as the "Ginseng of the Alps".
Lukas Sporer
Lukas Sporer lives the life, philosophy and work of a modern miner. He spends his summers together with his family high up in the Zillertal mountains on the Unterbergalm in harmony with nature and his animals. He impressively describes his ideas of responsible alpine pasture and agriculture.
Stefan Wierer
Zillertal mountain guide Stefan Wierer tells the unique story of the oldest refuge in the Zillertal Alps. The Berliner Hütte is located at an altitude of 2024 metres in the heart of the High Mountain Nature Park Zillertal Alps. This architectural and historical jewel was built in 1879 and thus bears witness to the birth of alpinism and alpine tourism.
Andreas Wetscher
Andreas Wetscher sets off well before sunrise to pick up the fresh milk from the surrounding alpine pastures and farms, "the white gold", as he calls it. Because as a milk driver for the Zillertaler Heumilch Sennerei Fügen, he is on the road very early in the morning on the mountain roads to his highest station at an altitude of a good 2,000 meters.
Stories from the valley
Immerse yourself in the unique stories from our Zillertal magazine. From the finest cuisine, to traditional craftsmanship, to exciting stories from and in the Zillertal. You can only read that here: Stories from the Zillertal.
Zillertal
Welcome to Zillertal! Where sun, snow and well-being become the meaning of life and where great freedom tempts you to let go.
Zillertal Newsletter
Our newsletter provides you with great information about the Zillertal. Get the best seasonal tips, information from the ski resorts and about the summer mountain railways and much more.
Hosts in Zillertal
Find the right accommodation for your perfect winter holiday in Zillertal – from cosy private rooms to luxury five-star hotels.
Getting to Zillertal
Zillertal is located in the west of Austria and is the widest of the side valleys on the south side of the Inntal Valley. Get to Zillertal safely and comfortably.
