The history of Galtür
Galtür was discovered by travelers in the 19th century, which helped the destitute farmers to improve their living conditions. The traditional knowledge of location, farming, and manufacturing gentian – a knowledge that survived through the centuries, was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2013.
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More historic traces can be found at the catholic parish church Mariä Geburt (Nativity of Mary), which was first documented in the 14th century. Sources of the not too far away chapel St. Martin, or Martinschapel as the residents call it, in Tschaffrein reach back to the 17th century.
Present day happenings let to the foundation of the Alpenarium Galtür. This museum, which tackles life in the alps also accommodates special exhibitions, a climbing gym, and a café.
Homestead name
From the end of the 13th century, farmers from the mountain areas of Oberwallis/Switzerland left their homeland. Mostly, they came across the southern slopes of the alps to settle down in other Alpine areas, where Romance population predominated. Our hometown Galtür was also populated by the Walser. It is the only Walsh settlement in Tyrol and with its 1.584 meters above sea level one of the highest beside Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg. The name of the house is hence not only about the beauty of the “Wallis”, which is not far from the summits of the Silvretta, but also about the history of the village.
