Semmering-Pass

Semmering view

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The Semmering Pass or short Semmering is a 984 m above sea level. A. high mountain pass between the Rax mountain range in the north and the change in the South. Located immediately above the pass to the south of Hirschkogel and north of the Pinkenkogel ( 1292 m above sea level. A. ). The Semmering forms the natural border between Lower Austria and Styria.

Geology

The Semmering area is a geological window that in the older rocks of the Central Alps over younger protrude - similar to the Tauern window. In terms of area covered Semmering this window, however, only about 200 km ².

In the Semmering area are the remains of several small mines, in which from the 16th century until the 19th century, iron ore, copper and other ores and coal were extracted.

Naming

The area around the Semmering had probably been depopulated during the troubled times of the barbarian invasions in large part, a fate which it shared with many other areas in the eastern Alps. From about the 6th century, Slavic tribes could migrate so that also the Semmering gave his name - " Semmerick ", which translates as " the inhospitable " means conjectural. But there are also other explanations names that speak of other Slavic or even German roots, so that also Slavic names " Smrk " (spruce ) or " Cemerinik " (mountain in the snow rose).

As about the 10th century, the German settlement occupied the Semmering, took over the German colonists - like other local well - the old Slavic corridor designations, and it is known that among the German colonists also long time the German term " Cerewald " ( stone pine ) for the Semmering was in use. In the Arthus travel of the minstrel Ulrich von Liechtenstein who reported his adventures which befell him in crossing the " Semernic ".

History

The first mule track over the Semmering was not created until 1160. Until then, was the traffic between the Vienna Basin and the south over the Pittental, along the old Roman road of the change. This mule was about 1735 under Charles VI. replaced by the first Semmering road. At that time, Vienna Schott developed at the beginning of the actual ascent to major substation for carts had to harness the all additional horses here. Accommodation facilities and the ancillary transport industry ( such as forging, Wagner and Sattler ) flourished.

Already at the beginning of the 19th century, a new route was planned to defuse the dangerous slopes of the old road, this route a second road link was then built in the years 1839-1841.

Beginning in 1842, then railway lines leading from Bruck an der Mur to Mürzzuschlag and from Vienna to Gloggnitz, their gap over the Semmering 1854, built by Carl Ritter von Ghega Semmering railway was closed.

From 1956 to 1958, the Semmering road was realigned a third time and adapted to the growing volume of traffic.

Traffic

The Semmering is next to the AC pass the main link between the provinces of Lower Austria and Styria. He can be crossed on the country road or Semmeringschnellstraße S6 and the Semmering Railway. At the summit is the same climatic health resort Semmering. The pilgrimage town of Maria Schutz is close on the eastern side of the Semmering in Lower Austria, as well as the place Schott Vienna, west of the pass are Spital am Semmering and Miirzzuschlag the valley communities.

A supplement of the Semmering Railway, which is protected as the world's first mountain railway as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is pursuing the project Semmering base tunnel. The project will shorten the travel time significantly, however, is controversial for fear of disturbances of the groundwater budget.

In October 2004 the Semmering tunnel was opened to traffic. This saves time and relieves the health resort Semmering from traffic. It is also critical to consider because it deprives the place the major source of income of commuting. On the other hand, it must be noted that without the through traffic over the pass the quality of life could be increased and a redesign of the pass is being considered.

Ski resort

Directly on the pass, lies the Hirschkogel ski area, west of Semmering in hospital Stuhleck, both of which are visited most of the day and weekend trips. When Maria Schutz another small ski area was not prepared with a very steep and severe slopes on Sonnwendstein.