Untersberg

Under massif seen from Salzburg

Pd5

The lower mountain is about 70 km ² and the highest in the survey 1973 m above sea level. NN high mountain range of the Northern Limestone Alps, as a distinctive landmark on the edge of the Alps. It is the northernmost foothills of the Berchtesgaden Alps on the border of Bavaria ( Germany ) and Salzburg ( Austria ). Its main peaks are Berchtesgaden Hochthron (1973 m) and Salzburg Hochthron (1853 m above sea level. A. ), otherwise it forms a distinct summit plateau.

• 5.1 Walking and Climbing
• 5.2 huts
• 5.3 The Untersbergbahn
• 5.4 Museums and other institutions

Geography

Geographical location

The lower mountain is between Berchtesgaden and Salzburg in the south to the north and rises with its northern flank directly from the rand Alpine Salzburg basin with a free profile height of over 1400 meters. It is separated by the Talungen Berchtesgaden from Dürr mountain train through Hallein and the Göllstock to the southeast, the wide intra-Alpine Berchtesgaden pool with the watzmann floor in the south and the Lattengebirge in the southwest, in the north- west rises, separated by the Reichenhaller pool, the Hochstaufen.

Around two thirds of its territory located in Bavaria, the state's border with Austria runs through the northern part of the summit of the main chain of Hirsch Anger head, ox head Salzburger Mitterberg and high throne. The eastern edge of the plateau form from north to south the Rauheck, the Gamsalpkopf and the Berchtesgaden high throne, the highest 1,973 m elevation of the lower mountain. The summit is visible to the north of the secondary summits of the Salzburg Hochthron, the Geiereck. North Eastwards breaks the plateau into the valley Rositten, upstream is the sliver of Leonhard tip against Grödig.

In its southeastern side peak group of the mountain has some foothills as Nierntalkopf, Raunenköpfe, Kneifelspitze, Kiliansberg, Gschirrkopf, Eckberg and high tines.

Summit

Among the peaks ( the highest is in bold) with secondary peaks of the lower mountain and its foothills are (this is the mountain range / group each considered as in northeast-southwest direction) - with height in meters ( m) above mean sea level ( MSL ) and directions:

• Western main chain ( approximately between Grödig and Berchtesgaden ): Geiereck (1806 m) Leonhard tip ( O; 1132 m)
• Gemainberg ( NNO; 995 m)
• Kienberg head ( OSO; 998 m)

• Big Heuberg head (S; 1836 m) Small Heuberg head (SO; 1508 m)

• Neck head ( O; 1198 m)
• Mitterberg (W; 1840 m ) Ox head (W; 1780 m) Anger deer head (W; 1768 m) Achen head (S; 1577 m)

• Gamsalpkopf (N; 1886 m)
• Common fire Unterbichl (WSW; 1562 m) Nierntalkopf (SW; 1135 m)

• Rough heads ( SSO) Large Rough head (on some maps Rauner head) (1604 m)
• Little Rough head ( 1518 m)

• Southeastern side peak group ( approximately between Grödig and Berchtesgaden ): High tines ( 923.4 m)
• Eckberg (1012 m)
• Ochsenberg (980 m)
• Kneifelspitze ( 1188.7 m) Kiliansberg (SO; 960 m)

Geology

The Unterberg consists largely of limestone, and presents itself as erosion of soil banked Dachsteinkalks on a base of Ramsau dar.

In quarries on the north side of the mountain of marble is mined Unterberger. The weatherproof, beige to reddish colored stone has been used since Roman times in Europe as polished block and stone sculptures. There is also a small bauxite deposits at Thomas Eder- climbing, easy to recognize by a reddish coloration.

Due to the karstification of the limestone exist in Unterberg numerous caves, more than 400 are previously known. Among the best known among them include the Schellenberger Ice Cave and the 1845 discovered Kolowrat Cave - by Franz Anton Graf von Kolowrat Liebsteinsky ( 1778-1861 ) - the Doppler gate, with a 300 m high Eingangsdom and input into the previously adopted as the main system Kolowrat Gamslöcher system. Also according to current knowledge (as of January 2013) deepest ( -1058 m) and longest ( 18,100 m) cave in Germany, which in 1995 discovered giant Ding- vertical cave, located on the lower mountain.

Name

The lower mountain got its name probably from the Salzburg side, after the first mention suggesting: First references to the name, Unterberg ' can be found in a document of the Archbishop of Salzburg, Conrad IV of Salzburg on 28 June 1306 in which he referred to as Vndarnsperch will. The word Untarn or enterprises is in the Bavarian dialect an expression for the lunch time, even for lunch or occasionally for the afternoon meal ( Hence the " sub- sleep" ). The word Germanic untern, meantime, ' also known in the importance of morning snack, hence the whole Rupertiwinkel comes as origin into account. He is so in any case probably one of the many " lunch Mountains".

Forestry and nature conservation

The Bavarian part of the lower mountain is located in the Biosphere Reserve Berchtesgaden, where the area is part of the development zone ( core zone of the National Park in the south).

Located on the Austrian side area of the lower mountain in 1981 largely made ​​( Landscape and Plant Reserve Unterberg, LSG 51, PSG 1, 4416.00 ha) under conservation and plant protection according to the Salzburg Nature Conservation Act, embedded therein, the small nature park Unterberg (NAP 1) along the Zwinkbachs (for Kohlgraben after Marzoll ). At the Saalachstrasse borders the Europe and landscape protection area Unterberg Foreland (FFH AT3227000/ESG 17 LSG 63 ) to, in Salzburg, the conservation area Leopoldskroner Moos ( LSG 47).

Thus, the Unterberg is in a cross-border nature reserve complex, extending from Laufen / Oberndorf in Pongau and Pinzgau up.

One for the recovery of large areas of windfall after severe winter storms ( Cyril January 2007 ) established forest road on the Northern Slope between the Austrian authorities and the representatives of a regional citizens' initiative violently disputed. Due to the dimension of this road it is pejoratively called " forest highway ". The Salzburg Authority and the forest owner Maximilian Mayr- Melnhof referred to the danger posed by bark beetle infestation. Representatives of nature protection criticize the extent of engagement, the dimensioning of the street in the conservation area and the failure to examine alternative methods of extraction for wood ( cable car Brin narrowing, helicopters ). The critics urged a compliance with the Alpine Convention. The hurricanes Paula and Emma (2008) met the Salzburg area less bad.

Development and sights

Hiking and Mountaineering

On the Austrian side of the mountain is to climb on the following routes:

• Großgmain (650 m) to the dilapidated four Kaser - alpine (1590 m). Transitions: About ox-head (1780 m), Mitter mountain ( 1840 m ), either south to Berchtesgaden Hochthron (1973 m) and the Stöhr House ( 1850 m ) or to the north over the Rauheck (1846 m) to Salzburg Hochthron (via the Mittagsscharte ) or for Toni -Lenz hut. About Hischangerkopf (1668 m) on the Ten Kaser (1550 m). To Klingeralm ( 1522 m).
• Between Großgmain and Fuerstenbrunn a path leads over the Klingeralm ( 1,526 m ) for four Kaser. This marked path was through the construction of a wide forest road in the conservation area up to 1100 m above sea level. NN destroyed in 2007 and was at times impassable. The trail is restored.
• Further direction Fuerstenbrunn the path leads over 461 Schweigmühlalm, when Kühstein ( 1396m ), via the Great icehouse to Mittagsscharte or directly to Salzburg Hochthron.

• Of Glanegg on the way 417 ( the 1889 opened Reitsteig, past the Bierfasslkopf ( 1393 m)) or 460 ( the Dopplersteig through Rosittental, with branching to the premier for Toni -Lenz - hut route 462) on the Zeppezauerhaus (1668 m) to the Geiereck (1805 m) with the mountain station of the Table Mountain Cable Car.

In the Bavarian side there are the following routes:

• From Bishop Meadow Winkl about Scheibel head for home Stöhr (1850 m) and on to the Berchtesgaden Hochthron (1972 m).
• Bischofswesen - Hallthurm to ten Kaser. From there to Stöhr home or transition to four Kaser.
• ( not signposted ) from Bishop Meadow Hallthurm about Fadererschneid for four Kaser.
• Bischofswesen to Leiterl (either via Raunenkopf or Stöhrweg ) and from there to the house Stöhr.
• Of market Schellenberg Hangendenstein near the state border on white brook to Toni -Lenz Hut. Alternatively, the branch offers at the dilapidated Kienbergalm. About Kienberg head ( 998 m ), which in 1935 collapsed rock gate Drachenloch ( 1247 m) leads to the Schellenberger saddle ( 1433 m), which offers a good view to the north and south. Continue on the path 462 for Toni -Lenz - hut or 460 for Geiereck.
• Of the market Schellenberger weir Paßthurm about the way 463, also Eishöhlenweg, to Toni -Lenz Hut.
• Numerous climbing, whether old classics or modern sport climbing routes, through the distinctive Südabstürze of Salzburg (1853 m) and Berchtesgaden Hochthron (1973 m).
• Since summer 2007, is located on the high throne of a newly built via ferrata. The Berchtesgaden Hochthron climbing wall has a height of about 400 m. The difficulty is C / D. The ferrata's exit ends on high throne summit. This is just a few minutes from the house Stöhr.

• Stöhr House ( 1895 m) just below the Berchtesgaden Hochthron
• Toni -Lenz - hut (1550 m) in the Schellenberger Ice Cave, the property of the cave club
• Zeppezauerhaus ( 1663 m), just below the Salzburg Hochthron
• High-altitude plateau just above the mountain station of the cable car

Besides that, there some farmed in the summer private mountain huts. 1915 was 50 meters below the Geierecks the Doppler hut the section of Salzburg.

The Untersbergbahn

From St. Leonhard ( Grödig ) to Salzburg side, leading to the Salzburg Hochthron an aerial cableway, the Untersbergbahn (UBB ). It was put into operation in 1961, is a powered by commuting two cable car and overcomes 1320 m height difference. The base station is located in the town of St. Leonhard to 456 m, the mountain station at 1776 m, still above the Zeppezauerhauses, in the summit area of ​​the Geiereck. The main span to the support I at the east upstream Leonhard peak ( 1132 m) comprises 1.548 km, maximum distance to the ground is 286 meters - that each of the Alpine region comparatively high values. It carries per cabin 50 persons, and the journey takes about ten minutes every half hour.

The web runs in summer and winter operation and is equipped with a panoramic view on the high throne in the Alps and the Alpine Foreland a well visited destination of the Salzburg - Berchtesgaden region. In winter, a 8.5 km semi alpine, but groomed ski available, which leads to Fuerstenbrunn at the northern foot, from there, the way back are lined with shuttle buses to the valley station.

Museums and other institutions

At the northern foot in Großgmain, on a slope, there is the Salzburg Open-Air Museum, one of the most important museums in the Eastern Alps farm space. On a hill at the upstream Fuerstenbrunn is the Glanegg Castle.

Between Fuerstenbrunn and Grödig is the quarry of the Unterberger marble, which was used since Roman times, such as in particular also for the development of the baroque architecture of the Archbishop city of Salzburg, where you will find everywhere obstructed the material, but also to Hungary and Central Germany. Below the quarry is now a small museum, the Unterberg Museum, with a ball mill, furnished.

On Geiereck the transmitter Unterberg was built in 1970, serving the entire Salzburg-Bavaria border area ( operated by Bayerischer Rundfunk ).

At the northern foot is also the shooting range Glanegg the Austrian army.

Myths

Many myths and legends have grown up around the Bergentrückung the Unterberg.

One of them said that Emperor Charlemagne in the lower mountain awaits his resurrection; he wakes up every hundred years, and when he sees that the ravens still flying around the mountain, then he sleeps for another century. As long as the Emperor is cared for by the " Unterberger Mandln ". With them are dwarf -like figures who are loyal to the Emperor. In another version of the legend is Frederick Barbarossa, who sleeps in the mountain until his resurrection. His beard grows at a round table. Until now, he goes twice around. But when he has finished the third round, the end of the world begins. And it is, according to him, should not a good emperor more to come (the latter applies Sage, however, similar for the Kyffhaeuser, a wooded mountain ridge south of the resin in Thuringia, where the Kyffhäuserdenkmal stands ). Another version has it that the Emperor has long sleep as long as ravens fly around the lower mountain.

When the emperor awakens and the Unterberg leaves - so many variants - will take place the last major battle of humanity on the Walserfeld. The versions of content, timing and local differences occurring to the legend seem to have all their origin in the long prevailing popular belief in the return of peace emperor. A related legend says that will hang his coat of arms to the last battle on the Walserfeld the Elector of Bavaria to a dried pear ( Walser Birnbaum ).

Multiple there is also the topos that someone finds the entrance to the Unterberg Emperor Dwarf Empire, with the typical motifs that he is richly rewarded, or even that have passed on a short visit in the earthly world endless years ( fairyland - topos ).

Relates to the Wild Hunt is the Drachenloch at Schellenberg saddle, a second, an old mine, located in St. Leonhard - those "dragon " or "devil's holes" are more often found in the Kalkkarststöcken.

Major parts of the currently known extended Unterberger legends are first tangible in the Lazarus story. The story of the miraculous experiences of Reichenhaller town clerk mountains aids Lazarus Gitschner ( in later editions also Lazarus Aigner called ) was probably written by a priest of the Augustinian Canons of St. Zeno at Reichenhall in 1558. Individual narrative motifs has this used by the vision of Mechthild of Magdeburg ( recorded in the 13th century) and from the secret revelation of John the Evangelist (Rev 6.15 EU). For example, the author has also taken the 24th chapter ( doomsday chapter) Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 24.32 to 33 EU). The rapture go to these models into the interior of a mountain, the emperor in the lower mountain and the pear tree and the final battle on the Walserfeld back. These motives were mixed by the author with older Tell motives and in its surroundings transferred ( the Unterberg among others). Thus, with the present Emperor Karl in Unterberg originally Emperor Charlemagne, Emperor Frederick depending on the time of origination of the different versions of the word either Frederick I Barbarossa or Frederick II meant. The unknown author created with the Lazarus story a current in his time Apocalypse, which can be regarded as typical of the apocalyptic mood in the Reformation period.

Gallery

South side of the lower mountain range, seen from Fagstein

Unterberg, seen from Hellbrunn