An old castle, whose silhouette majestically reflects in the lake – this is the stuff of fairytales! Behind the historic walls of Goldegg Castle, concerts, exhibitions, presentations, readings and theatre shows await throughout the year. The café, the painting academy and Pongau local history museum make the castle a popular centre of attraction too. At Goldegg’s Advent market visitors are immersed in an enchanting festive ambience every year. The early Gothic frescoes in the old Goldegg parish church building are also worth taking a look at, so too are the artistic carvings in Hirtenkapelle am Meislstein.
Book a holidaySalzburger Sonnenterrasse lives and breathes tradition. At any time of the year, on any occasion, an active community life ensures time-honoured traditions are passed down from generation to generation, and are cultivated and celebrated. The shooting club, brass band groups, women dressed in traditional costume, the young rural population and local history & traditional costume groups turn out at harvest festivals, the Feast of Corpus Christi, and at all kinds of other opening events and receptions. They inspire with centuries old traditional costumes and the best ambience, with lively folk music sounds. The ‘Schnalzer’ and their tremendous, whips, cracking in sync, are there too of course.
When exactly the impressive hillside castle was built in its first guise above the northern banks of Goldegg lake is unclear today, but new building work began in 1323. Over the course of the centuries, the castle has belonged to different noble families and archbishops, before in 1973 it was acquired by the town of Goldegg, then re-opened in 1981 as a key cultural facility. Today there is a culture and seminar centre in Goldegg Castle. Concerts, exhibitions, cabaret and cinema screenings regularly take place in its lovingly refurbished rooms. The Goldegg Dialogues and the Goldegg Autumn Conversations, held annually, have long been established in the trans-regional fixed points in the cultural dialogue programme.
In summer it is a relaxed atmosphere that characterises the market square in St. Veit im Pongau. Every weekend concerts by the traditional music groups in local costume from the Sonnenterrasse towns take place as part of the summer festival. Atmospheric and magical, but also lively and rousing, the concerts in the square and dance evenings provide great entertainment and lasting memories as part of a summer holiday.
Time and again, the run-up to Christmas in Salzburger Sonnenterrasse always knows how to move and inspire. In the Sonnenterasse towns you get a step closer to Advent heaven from the end of November. Contemplative Advent markets for children of all ages, delicious culinary treats and traditional crafts feature during this wonderful time. Concerts and Advent songs provide a suitable musical backdrop, supplemented by many other events. The ambience-filled torchlight hike, winter solstice fires and the ‘Krampuslauf’ (Devil’s run) get you in the mood for the main event.
Along with these many and varied events and series of events, Salzburger Sonnenterrasse is also home to different cultural bodies and traditional institutions. Here old traditions are upheld and are a reminder of days long past. Yet there is a few modern aspects that have found their way into these three picturesque places and towns.
Depending on the time of year, the picturesque Kinderalm attracts hikers and snow-shoe walkers, and it is the versatile paths in idyllic natural surroundings that they appreciate. Often these tours proceed right past the Sisters of Bethlehem convent. The ‘Maria im Paradies’ convent, set up in 1985 has in the meantime gained 30 nuns, financing itself through the convent shop in the lower part of the building complex which is accessible to the public. Maria im Paradies is regularly visited by pilgrims who share the complete tranquillity and solitude on the Kinderalm for a few days. The so-called ‘upper building area’ is solely reserved for the sisters as a retreat.
A short detour to the neighbouring town of St. Johann im Pongau uncovers an anomaly in an otherwise peaceful, enchanting townscape. In between all the little houses and colourful rooftops soars an enormous chapel, as you might actually only expect to see in big cities. Originally intended as a single tower to take the place of a church that had burnt down, after another collapse, a solid quarry stone with a spectacular double tower facade was built. This exceedingly popular excursion destination definitely ought to feature during a cultural holiday in Salzburger Land. Even the impressive high altar in the form of a Gothic shrine and Lourdes chapel with relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes are an experience in themselves.
For over 20 years, open discussions and mutual dialogues have been nurtured in Goldegg. The Goldegg Dialogues were founded in 1982 by
The maxim is “Health is easy to learn” and brings together the interplay of body, mind and soul for health.
Goldegg offers an ideal setting for the dialogue. The Alpine ambience in our fantastic natural area in Salzburger Landes is harmonious and unique. Goldegg Castle is more than a worthy setting and provides a superb stage for experts and specialists from across the globe. The natural area sets the tone, the views to the mountains sharpen the spirit, clearing the way for new ideas. For over 20 years the Goldegg Dialogues have been a meeting point for people who are open and ready to forge new paths in health and a positive attitude to life.
