Serfaus in Tyrol.
A dream in deep blue.
According to stories passed down and the findings of historical researchers the name "Serfaus" comes from Latin - "Supra fauces" – which means "over the gorges ". This describes precisely the location of the village on a high sunny plain at 1,427 metres above sea level over the Inn valley, between Landeck and the Reschenpass. Those walking on the old access track from Tschuppbach to Serfaus can imagine what it was like. Over the "Argenschlucht" gorge, which the "Argenbach" stream had eroded over millions of years, the little village sat on a throne in the sun, long before people settled in the valleys.
The conditions, known today as "champagne climate", the fertile prehistoric rock earth, the long and intensive rays of sunshine and, last but not least, people’s safety made this a very early settlement of the high plains known today as the "sun terrace of Tyrol". It is known from findings that the Illyrians already settled here at least 3,500 years ago (but probably much earlier).
Round about the time of Christ’s birth, Drusus and Tiberius, the stepsons of Emperor Augustus, built an army road over these plains and Roman legions prepared themselves to conquer the entire Alpine region. They called the region north of the main Alpine ridge Raetia and its inhabitants the Raetians. The Raetoromans evolved from the later mixture of Romans and Raetians. Romans and Raetoromans left behind cultural tracks in the small village which are still visible today - in the architecture and in many significant Christian memorials.
The history of Serfaus and its inhabitants was sometimes highly dramatic and characterised by long periods of extreme poverty, disease and natural disaster. A hard struggle for existence, which lasted for thousands of years, shaped the people to what is known in Tyrol as "Oberländer" – brave, somewhat conservative, of few words but lots of stamina – people with trust in God who are deeply sensitive but loyal and reliable.
In St. Zeno, a part of Serfaus named after a 5th century bishop in Verona in Northern Italy, robbers had barricaded themselves on a steep hill in a castle and were attacking, killing and stealing from travellers on the nearby Roman Via Claudia Augusta. They also terrorised the inhabitants of Serfaus. The people had to hand over their best animals, food, wood and other agricultural products to the castle “lords” for their festivals and banquets. That was not a problem until the robbers started to attack the young women of the village. That was the last straw. The peasants set light to the castle and killed the thieves. Today this place is the site of an archaeological dig for historical findings for Innsbruck University.
427 A.D. was the year of the pilgrimage "To our Beautiful Lady of the Woods". On "Matschöl" ("small market" in Raetoromanic) peasants were cutting down trees when suddenly the call came from above "Don’t cut me down!". Later the Serfaus people built a Romanesque pilgrim church on this spot. It was completed in the year 804 and sanctified by the Mother of God. Today the pilgrimage is still alive and well visited by those seeking help from all over Southern Germany, South Tyrol and Austria.
Identity and cultural values were and still are prized by the people of Serfaus at all times. That also applies today in the tourism era. Bands and shooting clubs, in their uniforms dating back over several centuries, as well as various associations form the core of culture in the village and enjoyed by young people and those preserving the old traditions.
The year 1910 is a cornerstone in the long history of Serfaus. This year had more significance for the economic and cultural development of the village than any other. The first guests came to Serfaus at that time. It was a small group of skiers from Innsbruck lead by Dr. Keller, the author of the first skiing guide in the region, and they were looking for a skiing resort. He reported in his skiing guide on the experience and the fascination of his skiing group when looking at the old Raetoromanic farms with their wide roofs and on getting to know the unique skiing area. With the cleverness of the Raetoromanic folk the Serfaus people rapidly recognised the chance to improve their lives, which had been characterised by need and poverty for centuries: Tourism had arrived! And, just as obstinate, consistent and persevering as always, they then continued their way as host to the world. At the end of the 1950s there were already almost 300 guest beds - and also the first cable car (a car with a capacity of 150 people per hour). And every since this time it has been a steep upward curve.
Today Serfaus is one of the most frequently visited holiday regions in Austria with almost 900,000 overnight stays. By the way it also has the shortest underground railway in the world – an underground hovertrain, the Serfaus village railway, which is the only one of its kind in the world. The offerings and ideas of the Serfaus people are so innovative (and successful!) that, year for year, armies of tourists from all over the world flock to the former small Raetoromanic mountain village, to see and admire all that is done to exceed guests’ expectations. Serfaus can fill books with awards for special tourist services. In 2007 Serfaus was overall winner for the second time in all categories of the "Best-of-Austria-Awards". The footpaths in the Serfaus "Adventure Mountains" were named the best tourist offering in all Austria.
Those who know the people of Serfaus can well imagine that they are not satisfied with having the best summer and winter offering in the Alps. Because staying still is a step backwards and the Serfaus guests always want to and should be able to always experience more. You can be sure that the people of Serfaus will always take good care of their natural surroundings in whatever they do. Because many of them are not only mountain farmers in their hearts but are also fully aware that the extraordinarily beautiful jewels of nature are their greatest asset.
Today there are approximately 340 houses in Serfaus (and also a few old barns that recall the history of the Tyrolean village). The Hotel Alpina is one of the loveliest houses -softly nestling on the right hand slope with lots of sun and wonderful views. The Hotel Alpina is only one of almost 160 houses which serve as holiday accommodation. But it is a good hotel – that makes guests’ dreams come true. There are almost 5,500 guest beds in Serfaus. 56 of them are in the Hotel Alpina. And it is especially cosy – as you will see!
Facts and highlights on Serfaus in Tyrol
Serfaus - an overview
- 970 inhabitants
- 5,478 guest beds in winter, 4,960 in summer
- One of the most frequently visited holiday resorts in Tyrol with a wide range of summer and winter offers
- Ideal for summer holidays and winter holidays
- "Traffic Calming Concept Model Serfaus" with the unique village railway: (hovertrain) as free transport for getting around the village (in winter and summer)
- highest quality tourist products in all areas.
Winter in the Hotel Alpina in Serfaus
- 180 km ski slopes
- 111 km cross country ski tracks
- 53 cable car systems
- 60,000 person transport capacity each hour
- "Kinder-Schneealm" as professional child care location
- Certainty of snow due to high altitude (1,400 – 2,700 m)
- Safety from avalanches at the village entrance and in the village due to the location on the high plains.
Summer in the Hotel Alpina in Serfaus
- Champagne climate (healthy climate, all grain and fruit outdoors)
- rare flowers
- mountain lakes
- accredited footpaths
- One of the best summer offers in the Alps (sport and entertainment) with a uniquely wide range
- professional child care in "Familiennesterl"
- fascinating local flair
- natural monuments and wonderful experiences with nature
