Bad Ischl

Woke early this morning with heavy rain on the roof , we sensed then that this could be the start of a day of wet weather. The mountains on the other side of  the Hallstätter See (lake) were partly covered with clouds. 

The rain had stopped by the time we left for Bad Ischl, the Spa town that became fashionable in the 19th century after Emperor Franz-Josef built a summer residence, the Kaiservilla, here in 1856. 

Unusually potent saltwater springs were discovered in this region as early as the 16th century, but Bad Ischl did not become a popular health resort until the early 1800s, when the court doctor ordered saline treatments for the infertile Archduchess Sophie. Soon, she started producing babies. The most famous of these was Franz Joseph I, the future emperor, who spent all his summer holidays with his wife Elizabeth at the Kaiservilla.

No luck, though, with the rain, it started again as we parked the van in Bad Ischl. With the weather against us, we set off to explore the town. The first icon of the town we came across was the Konditore Zauner pastry and chocolate shop, which had the regular patronage the Emperor Franz-Josef. 

We later ventured into the 14th century church of St Nicholas with its 72 metre high tower and its ornate freaks and mosaics.  

Opposite was the Trunklhalle, originally the pump house for the spas but now the cultural centre for the town. 

The Kaiservilla was on our list to visit but we were informed that the only way to see the place was via a guided tour in German! Plus, the rain was still falling so the stroll in the Kaiserpark was out of the question. The Kaiservilla has etched its place in history for it was here in 28th July 1914 that Franz-Josef signed the declaration of war against the Kingdom of Serbia, signaling the start of WW1. 

The main festival in the town  is the celebration of the Kaiser’s birthday. The infant Archduke and Crown Prince Franz-Josef's first birthday was celebrated in Ischl on 18 August 1831.  This was a case for jubilation, the long-awaited heir to the throne had at last arrived. From around 1834 Franz Josef celebrated every birthday as Crown Prince while resident  in Bad Ischl. He missed his 18th birthday in Ischl in August 1848, due to the revolutions throughout the Monarchy, but with one exception thereafter (the 1878 Balkan crisis) he spent every birthday of his life in Ischl up to 1913. The annual celebrations attained imperial proportions after he became Emperor on 8 December 1848. And, it now continues to this day. 

Some other photos from around the Bad Ischl:

We left raining Bad Ischl to those that may follow, hopefully, not in the rain. Our drive took us along the edge of Traunsees, where at the top of the lake we arrived at Gmunden, our overnight stop. Our first meeting of another GB 🇬🇧 since our first night in France five weeks ago!