History of the municipality of Rosenau am Hengstpass

Rosenau am Hengstpass is situated in the south east of the district of Kirchdorf. The road leading over the Hengst pass connects the Windischgarstner valley via the Dambach and Laus valley with the Styrian Enns valley.
Since the 16th century the road had great importance for the transport of food and iron. Up to the year 1622 the area was purely farm land until the scythe smith Wolfgang Moser from the abbey of Spital am Pyrhn received permission to open a scythe factory along the Dambach stream. Bringing together two “tax municipalities”, the municipality of Rosenau am Hengstpass was founded in 1848. The scyth industry ended in 1904 and lay dormant until 1907 when the Brothers Lederer took it over to form a wood processing factory making use of the advantages of the forest and stream. Since then the most important economical branch of the municipality is the wood processing industry. From the 1960’s tourism became the third economical branch of the area taking advantage of the two mineral springs and the fact that most of the area of Rosenau am Hengstpass is part of the Kalkalpen National Park. The farming industry has undergone changes like everywhere else. Until the 2nd World War farmers were self-reliant, planting flax and grain, running dairy and animal farms and making extra income with their forests. Today the main branches are dairy and animal farms, some do their own marketing. Sport has become a major factor of the municipality. Due to its snow-secure position the Cross Country and Biathlone Centre was built in the area of Innerosenau. The sports club of Rosenau am Hengstpass organizes international championships for cross country and biathlone events. Together with the municipality of Edlbach a night lit winter togoggan track was built, a popular event for locals and guests.



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