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Gastein
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Experiences
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Vitality
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Events
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Miners in the Gastein healing gallery
Even today, mining is still carried out in Gastein. But not to find precious metals, but for the sake of health. Rheumatism patients experience relief from their pain in the Gastein Heilstollen, a unique healing facility worldwide. Miners, so-called miners, are still responsible for the care and maintenance of the gallery. A pleasant side effect is that none of the men working there suffer from joint problems.
Historical setting
In honor of the miners, the miners' festival, the so-called "Böckstein Sword Dance", takes place every year on the first Sunday in September. The scene of the sword dance is always the old mining settlement in Böckstein, where hundreds of years ago the gold ore processing was located. Today, parts of the former plant can still be seen in the mining museum in Alt-Böckstein.
Dancing swords
Since the 15th century, the sword dance has been performed with the aim of demonstrating the miners' sense of class. On the one hand, the carrying of swords was a privilege that was not granted to any other profession. The right to bear arms for miners was introduced in 1405, as they were exposed to many dangers during their mining marches. On the other hand, a representative of the miners was "lifted up" during the sword dance - a great symbolic character for this profession.
Other Event Highlights:
Almfest
Yoga Autumn
Farmer's Autumn
