DAY 7
GROSSGLOCKNER ROAD
OVERNIGHT IN HEILIGENBLUT
Today's journey into the Hohe Tauern National Park, the largest nature reserve
in Central Europe, will be one of the greatest drives of your life.
On our way to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, passing through Mittersill,
we see high above the town its famous castle,
Schloss Mittersill.
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the longest and most splendid alpine highway in Europe,
climbs to 8,220 feet and takes you through almost every non-tropical climatic
and vegetation zone.
The road follows the old Roman mountain trail and offers what many feel are
the most beautiful and spectacular mountain vistas in all Europe!
At Fuscher Lake at 2,262 meters above sea level, there is a display with the
history of the construction of the road. Nearby is a memorial to those who died
during the building of this incredible road. A terrace with a view towards the
Grossglockner offers one of the loveliest photographic vantage points.
DAY 8
FREE DAY IN HEILIGENBLUT
OVERNIGHT IN HEILIGENBLUT
The village of Heiligenblut (Holy Blood) in the Austrian province of
Kärnten (Carinthia) is surrounded by the 68 peaks of the Glockner
mountain range.
Age-old traditions of the region hark back to the ancient Romans and
the medieval gold miners. The name Heiligenblut derives from a legend
connected to the Roman trail over the Alps. A Byzantine field-marshall
died in a snow storm here, as he was on his way across the Alps bearing
a relic of Jesus Christ’s holy blood.
The church tower of Heiligenblut's Wallfahrtskirche St. Vinzenz
touches the sky above his grave. The
church also holds another treasure: one of the most beautiful gothic altar
pieces made by master sculptor Michael Pacher.
Today is a free day to recuperate from the rigors of traveling and enjoy
the splendid mountain scenery and the clean air.
Stroll along the beautiful River Möll, which flows along a flat pedestrian
walkway which leads to several nature walks and the Gössnitz Waterfall.
Young Dancers Perform in Heligenblut's Main Square
Photo by Michael Reed ~ Creative World Travel
Typical Alpine House in Heiligenblut, Austria
Photo by Michael Reed ~ Creative World Travel
