ROMAN ROAD AT THE KORNTAUERN / SUMPFBODEN
(swampy ground)
The double road bend on the northern slope of the Korntauerns
is a visible testimony of the high road contruction architecture of the
Romans. The road overcomes a height difference of
about 1300 meters, however, it shows a general grade of
only 10 per cent.
At a sea-level of 2450 m the Tauernpasses were the
highest points of the Roman empire at the Korntauern and Mallnitzertauern
that could be reached by waggons.
"RÖMERSPITZ" OF THE KORNTAUERN
View from the mountain pass to the promiment 'Römerspitz'
east of the Korntauern. The name as such is not conclusive, since it was
probably coined only in the 16th century.
It is nevertheless important and, to be more precise,
a testimonial for the national tradition which, passed on the knowledge
of the presence of the Romans in the Tauern.
ROMAN ROAD MALLNITZER TAUERN
The route configuration at the Mallnitzer Tauern has
a boldness of the profile of alignment that cannot be surpassed. At one
place it crossed a steep rock face by means of an extremely high embankment
wall facing the valley.
The breadth of the road of an average 3.8 m was chiselled out in the following
flatter part of the rock area from the area facing the mountain.
After crossing a 'flowing'
big scree the desired breadth was achieved again by embankments facing
the valley, which rested on long socle niches, which were also chiselled
into the rock.
MALLNITZ MINING
Early sources about the Mallnitz mining are not available.
The written tradition starts in 1500, as a certain Hieronymus Magerl wanted
to set up a big gold washing plant "in the Möllnitz" (Mallnitz
= Möllnitz = small Möll) and acted through
the proper official channels for its approval and then was sent from one
authority to the next.
Authority obstacles at 1500 ………..
If Magerl had ever obtained an official permission
and operated gold washing, remains an open question.
Quite a number of pit rights were assigned in 1531.
The proof that there had actually been an important mining industry is
the existence of galleries.
BIOS NATIONAL PARK CENTER MALLNITZ
BIOS is a unique institution about life in the alpine
area
which comprehends the process of life as self-organising circumstances.
The life is explored from the view of the elements,
earth, water, air, sun, in the different public areas. This is done in
"research islands", whose creation orientates itself at original
conditions such as a mountain stream or at a talus.
The visitor becomes a researcher, he will be animated
to discover and explore by himself.
BIOS is a centre of astonishment, research and discovery.
