Set in the heart of the Salzburger Pongau, the small town of Bischofshofen is well worth taking time to explore.
Drop by for a bite to eat, browse the local shops, or discover the culture and historic churches. It is also an ideal base for day trips into the spectacular surroundings.
Town Centre Highlights:
• The Pfarrkirche, the Frauenkirche and the Georgikircherl at the cemetery
• Kastenhof – historic municipal building, home to shops, apartments and the Museum am Kastenturm
1,300 Years of Bischofshofen – The Town's History
Bischofshofen is known as the cradle of the Pongau. For centuries, the wider area has served as an important centre for settlement, mining and trade, and as a cultural hub within the Land Salzburg. Around five thousand years ago, people were already settling at the "Red Rock" near Götschenberg – marking the very beginnings of copper mining in Bischofshofen. From the 5th century BC, Celts settled in the area; traces of Roman settlement from the 1st century AD have also been found. In the 5th century AD, Roman rule north of the Alps collapsed.
"Cella Maximiliana" – The First Monastery in the Pongau
At the end of the 7th century AD, Rupert, Bishop of Worms, arrived in Juvavum. In 711/712, he founded the first monastery in the Pongau – the "Cella Maximiliana" – as an outpost for the Christianisation of the Slavs. Bischofshofen's special place in church history is documented not only by spectacular finds from church excavations, but also by unique artistic treasures such as the "Rupertikreuz". The name "Hofen" was first recorded in writing in 1151. The Diocese of Chiemsee was founded in 1216, and the Kastenhof was established by the Bishops of Chiemsee as their residence and administrative centre. Bischofshofen also had its own jurisdiction, with justice dispensed in the name of the Archbishop – a fact still reflected today in the depiction of the judge's staff and bishop's staff in Bischofshofen's coat of arms.
Peasants' Uprising and the Expulsion of Protestants
In 1421, Archbishop Eberhard III granted the privilege of holding an annual market at Buchberg on 12 October, the feast of St Maximilian – a market that later grew into an important horse fair. In the mid-16th century, Protestantism continued to spread through the region. Bischofshofen and Buchberg became centres of a renewed peasants' uprising, which ended with the execution of the two ringleaders, Wilhelm Egger and Hans Steiner. In 1570, the Blutwidderdienst – a blood-ram tribute – was introduced and lasted until 1811: as a deterrent, the descendants of the rebels were required each year to drive two rams, each covered with a yard of red cloth, to Salzburg. In 1732, many Protestants from Bischofshofen emigrated, finding a new home in Prussia and also in America.
Would you like to discover Bischofshofen with someone who knows the town well? A guided tour is a great way to discover the town's stories, sights and character – whether you're travelling solo or with companions. The tourist association will be happy to arrange a tour for you on request.
