The oldest mention from 1389

The oldest mention of the Krimmler Tauernhaus dates from 1389. But the building of this resting place on the path over the Krimml Tauern used from time immemorial for regional transport has probably been there for substantially longer. This difficult path over the Krimml Tauern, serving as a north-south connection over the Alps, was used by travelling artisans and farmers and also by drivers who, in the summer months, imported wine and brandy from the south on their pack animals and would stop here to trade salt in exchange.

Simon Geisler and his progeny

When Simon Geisler, the great-grandfather of Friedl Geisler, the present landlord, acquired the Tauernhaus in 1906, he worked with enormous energy to transform it into a magnificent inn. An additional upper storey offered overnight guests more room, and a meticulous conversion on the ground floor, taking pains to leave the 600 year old inn untouched, transformed the “old tavern” (“alte Taferne”) into a contemporary inn and mountain shelter. At the end of the First World War Simon Geisler modernised the Tauernhaus by building a small power station and installing overhead cables by means of which he as a National Assembly member could keep in telephone contact with the outside world at all times.

After the Second World War, when some 5,000 persecuted Jews from Eastern Europe illegally crossed the Krimml Tauern and Austria’s border with Italy to get to the Land of Israel, it was the landlady Lisl Geisler who devotedly took care of the refugees, providing them with what they desperately needed - a meal and a warm room for the night.

Until 1999 the inn was run by Adolf and Franziska Geisler. In their almost 40-year period as landlord and landlady of the Krimmler Tauernhaus, they constantly modernised and improved the Krimmler Tauernhaus and during this time a road was also built giving better access to the Tauernhaus and the pastures of the Krimml Achen Valley. Since the establishment of the National Park Hohe Tauern in 1984, the Krimmler Tauernhaus is the only farm in the national park.

In 1999 Friedl and Gundi Geisler took over the inn and farm and, with foresight and discretion, modernised the Tauernhaus with careful regard to the very individual landscape and conservation of nature and the environment. The Tauernhaus itself has been extended with great sensitivity, combining contemporary comfort with the functional character of a mountain shelter. Friedl and Gundi Geisler place particular emphasis on an extensive cuisine with regional specialities, for which to a great extent they use milk and meat produce from their own farm.

With pride and a strong sense of tradition they maintain the Krimmler Tauernhaus as a jewel steeped in the history of the Krimml Achen Valley and have an ever open door for guests, mountain walkers, mountain climbers and ski tourers in both summer and winter, welcoming them with genuine hospitality.