Mauterndorf, municipality in Tamsweg District, Salzburg, Austria
Mauterndorf is a market municipality in the Lungau mountain region of Salzburg, Austria, sitting at over 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) above sea level. The village center is overlooked by a medieval castle, with mountain peaks and green valleys surrounding the built-up area on all sides.
The settlement was first recorded around 1002, and shortly after, church authorities took control of the growing trading post along the mountain route. The castle dates from the 13th century and served the archbishops of Salzburg as a summer residence while also guarding a key alpine pass.
The name Mauterndorf comes from the toll system that traders had to pay when crossing the mountain pass during the medieval period. This history is still visible in the streets, where painted facades and wooden shutters line the old buildings throughout the village center.
The village center is easy to explore on foot, with clear paths connecting the main streets, the castle, and local cafes. Summer is a good time for hiking the surrounding trails, while winter brings access to nearby ski slopes.
A world championship for glider pilots was held here in the 1980s, drawing competitors from many countries to the open valleys around the village. The area's wide, flat-bottomed valleys and reliable mountain winds made it a natural choice for the event.
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