Tirol
province of alps
province of alps
Kitzbuhel Tirol
Kitzbuhel is one of the most fascinating towns in the Alps. With it’s historical town centre, exciting shopping, and top quality hotels and restaurants, Kitzbuhel is a real all-rounder with character and charm. On the top of that the region boasts fantastic mountains that are assured of snow and 1001 ways to relax or become active. In winter and in summer, visitors from all over the world find just what they are looking for - white holiday highlights and delightful experiences - on the mountain peaks and lakes, in the fine restaurants, little coffee shops and bars, in the discos, the casino or the cinema, or simply with friends, in an intimate twosome or even alone with Kitzbuhel as the perfect companion.
The medieval town from Tyrol is situated along the river Kitzbuhler Ache, and is the administrative center of the district (Bezirk) Kitzbuhel.
Kitzbuhel’s average elevation is 762 meters above sea level. It is one of Austria’s best known and fanciest winter sport resorts, situated between the mountains Hahnenkamm (1712 m) and Kitzbuhler Horn (1996 m). The Hahnenkamm is home of the annual world cup ski races, including the circuit’s most important event, the downhill race on the famous Streif slope. During summer time Kitzbuhel also hosts an ATP tennis tournament on clay.
The city is also home to the historic Grand Hotel Kitzbühel, a private resort, training and conference facility owned and operated by the worldwide management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Access to the Grand Hotel is generally limited to members and alumni of the firm and their families.
The history of Kitzbuhel:
First known settlers between 1100 BC and 800 BC were Illyrians mining copper in the hills near Kitzbuhel.
Around 15 BC the Roman Emperor Augustus occupied the Alps and proclaimed the province Noricum. After the fall of the western Roman Empire, Bavarii settled in the Kitzbuhel region around 800 and started clearing forests.
In the 12th century the name Chizbuhel is mentioned for the first time in a document of the Chiemsee monastery. Chizzo relates to a Bavarii clan, Bühel describes the location of the settlement upon a hill.
Kitzbuhel became part of Upper Bavaria in 1255. Duke Louis II. granted Kitzbuhel the rights of a city on June 6, 1271, and it was fortified with mighty city walls. During the next centuries the city became a center of trade, grew steadily and never was affected by wars. So the city walls were razed at the level of the first floor and used for building new houses.
When Margarete Maultasch married Bavarii Duke Louis V the Brandenburger in 1342, Kitzbühel became part of Tyrol. After the Peace of Schärding 1369 it was given back to Bavaria. On June 30, 1504 Kitzbuhel became part of Tyrol again when Austrian Emperor Maximilian conquered Kitzbuhel and Kufstein.
Maximilian took mortgage on Kitzbuhel, and so at the end of 16th century it came under the rule of the Counts of Lamberg. On May 1, 1840 Kitzbuhel was given to the state of Austria in a ceremony.
The wars of the 18. and 19th century didn’t reach the city, whereas some inhabitants participated in the Tyrolean rebellion against Napoleon. Kitzbuhel once more became part of Bavaria after the Treaty of Pressburg, but was reunited with Tyrol after the fall of Napoleon, at the Congress of Vienna.
When Emperor Franz Joseph finally resolved the remaining constitutional uncertainties, the citys trade and industry flourished. Also during World War I and World War II Kitzbühel was lucky to remain far from the areas of war.
