Bad Gastein - City of Austria

Bad Gastein is a spa town in Austria, situated in the middle of the National Park Hohe Tauern, at 1,000 meters (3,280 ft.) above sea level. It hosted the 1958 World Championships in alpine skiing. It is located at the head of the Gastein valley, within the state of Salzburg, in which Salzburg is the major city. The name "Bad" means "spa", reflecting the town's history as a resort.

The small city of Bad Gastein once was a famous resort, visited by Kings and the rich and famous. Some of the persons who frequented Bad Gastein in the past are the Austrian Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) and German Emperor Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia Wilhelm. From the sixties of the 20th century on the resort lost some its former notoriety.

The town is popular for winter sports, summer hiking, and its healing water treatments. During the past few years, Bad Gastein renovated its "Felsentherme" and Congress Center. In December, Bad Gastein also hosts the snowboard WM and boardercross.

Most of the Gastein Valley contains moderate to good skiing/snowboarding, with plenty of chairlifts and gondolas. Many establishments on the slope offer warmth, food, and strong drink.

Bad Gastein has vibrant pagan traditions that have been slightly assimilated into Roman Catholic tradition. For more information see Paganism in the Eastern Alps. One example is the Krampus, now one of the Companions of Saint Nicholas. The Krampus is an elemental, horned and demonic character, playfully re-enacted by bands of male revelers during December and also once every four years during a Perchten event or Perchtenlauf. The Perchtenlauf happens every four years at Bad Gastein. The most recent was in January 2006.

Area : 170.6 km² (65.9 sq mi)
Elevation : 1,002 m (3288 ft)
Population : 5,838 (15/05/2001)
Density : 34 /km² (89 /sq mi)