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Großarl is a market town in the district of St. Johann im Pongau in the south of the province of Salzburg (Austria). The village gives its name to the Grossarl Valley. Großarl is located in Pongau in the province of Salzburg, about 70 km south of the city of Salzburg. The Grossarl Valley is a foothill of the Radstädter Tauern and separates the Hohe Tauern from the Niedere Tauern.

Culture and sights

In the past, anyone traveling about halfway from St. Johann on the Grossarl provincial road had to pass through a house called the "Stegenwacht" or "Alte Wacht" at the point where the 196-meter-long bridge is now located. The name comes from the footbridge that led into the valley before the road was built into the rock, and from a guardhouse that once stood here. There was a watch ordered to prevent that too much victuals were brought out of the valley to the detriment of the merchants. In 1655, when the plague was prevalent, the point was even manned by soldiers in order to avoid contact with "outsiders" as much as possible and thus keep the risk of infection low. In the following century, the "Alte Wacht" was often closed off to keep people out of the valley or to prevent them from leaving. Today the "Alte Wacht" is the oldest still preserved toll station in the province of Salzburg. Opposite the "Alte Wacht" on the left side of the Großarler Ache are the "Heidenlöcher" in an almost vertical rock face. These are five more or less round rock holes. The opening of the two middle ones is so large that a person can comfortably stand in them. According to old folk belief, stubborn pagans retreated here when they no longer felt safe enough among the predominantly Christian population. Other sights include the Liechtensteinklamm gorge, the alpine huts, some of which are several hundred years old, and the Baroque-style parish church.
Regular events

Every year, in honor of St. Cecilia, the Cecilia Concert is held in the Großarl Parish Church.
Grossarl parish church interior

The concert is organized by the Trachtenmusikkapelle Großarl and enjoys every year great popularity among the inhabitants of the valley and a considerable number of spectators.

Since the year 2007 the Salzburg Mountain Advent Grossarltal takes place for the first time in the Advent season. There are 30 small wooden huts set up in the center of Grossarl, where, home-baked bread, flower arrangements, mulled wine, chestnuts and many other articles suitable for the Advent season are sold. At the valley entrance of the Grossarl Valley, at the old guard, stands during this time a living nativity scene with four sheep and a donkey.

Other events:

    International Old Scout Meeting
    Lady Ski Week
    Krampus run in the center of the village of Großarl