Thomatal: Mining History and Mountain Scenery

Get to know Thomatal through its mining history, religious heritage, and seasonal activities. In Bundschuh, mining and smelting date back to the 16th century; elsewhere, you can find reminders of pastor Valentin Pfeifenberger and the pilgrimage church of St. George. There are also various options for winter days and summer activities. These highlights can help you choose what to see in Thomatal based on your interests and the season of your trip.

Mining History and Religious Heritage

In the Thomatal district of Bundschuh, the Stuckofen furnace stands as an industrial heritage monument, recalling the area’s mining history. Mining and smelting here date back to the 16th century. The local history is therefore closely linked to the work involved in extracting and processing ore and metal.

The Valentinum makes the historical legacy of pastor Valentin Pfeifenberger accessible to the public. Admission is free, and you can view the exhibits from outside without entering an indoor space. Check the latest access details before your visit.

The parish and pilgrimage church of St. George in Thomatal is a pilgrimage church for farmers and livestock breeders. Among its notable furnishings is a well-preserved Mauracher organ dating from 1883. The so-called church tower grotto forms the lower level of the church tower. Since pastor Valentin Pfeifenberger’s death in 2004, seven memorial plaques there have commemorated him.

The annual Thomatal Georgiritt, or St. George’s ride, is also associated with the church. It takes place on the Sunday after April 23, St. George’s Day. During the event, Thomatal’s farmers offer “Sauhaxn” (pig’s trotters) and place them in a bowl beneath the statue of St. George. The earliest written records of such offerings to St. George date to 1538. After the custom later fell into oblivion, Valentin Pfeifenberger revived it in modern times.

Edenfest Castle Ruins offer another link to the past: they were first mentioned in a document in 1147. In 1978, the Thomatal Tourist Association built a visitor trail over the northern slope of the rocky hill to the ruins. If you plan to take this trail, check locally beforehand to find out its current condition.

The Holy Family is carved directly from living Swiss stone pines that still stand on site. In Schönfeld, the Josefshütte tells a different story: it originally served as a barn for storing feed for the oxen used in ore mining. Since being rebuilt in 2009, it has served as an alpine chapel. It thus brings together its former use in connection with ore mining and its present-day religious function.

Mountain Scenery and Seasonal Activities

Thomatal lies between the gentle hills of the Nockberge and flowering mountain meadows. In winter, walks along the meandering Kremsbach stream pass through snow-covered fields, forests, and gentle hills. The Schönfeld Rosanin high-altitude trail offers eight kilometers of classic cross-country skiing and is also partly suitable for skating. Since trail conditions can vary seasonally, check them before making plans.

Schönfeld, at an elevation of 1,730 meters, is a starting point for hikes and trekking tours. In summer, Thomatal-Schönfeld is also a starting point for hikes and cycling tours in the Lungau mountain region. Unlike the winter activities, cycling is also an option in the warmer months; cross-country skiing and winter walks, by contrast, are explicitly seasonal activities.

After a hike of about two hours, you will reach the Franzenshütte. The approximate duration gives you a useful reference when planning hikes as part of your day.

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