established in 2004
Location & History
Sankt Michael is located in the historic Lungau region, in the valley of the upper Mur river, north of Katschberg Pass on the border with the state of Carinthia. With a population of about 3,500, Sankt Michael is the second largest municipality in Tamsweg District. The municipal area comprises the cadastral communities of Höf, Oberweissburg, Sankt Martin im Lungau, Sankt Michael im Lungau, and Unterweissburg.
The Lungau region has been continuously settled at least since the Bronze Age; the local Hallstatt culture was gradually assimilated by Celtic immigrants about 450 BC. After the Celtic kingdom of Noricum became a Roman province in 15 BC, a road was laid out across Katschberg Pass, leading to the city of Teurnia in the south. In the 6th century AD, Slavic tribes moved into the area, succeeded by Bavarian settlers 200 years later.
The Gothic parish church dedicated to Saint Michael was first mentioned in an 1147 deed. Together with the Lungau region it became a part of the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg in the late 13th century, ruled from nearby Mauterndorf, later from Moosham Castle.
The Heihsgut manor house in the village of Sankt Martin, first documented in 1478, is one of the oldest preserved dwellings in the Salzburg Alps. Like several other Lungau municipalities, Sankt Michael is known for its annual Samson parades.
UNESCO's Biosphere Reserve
The Lungau region has proudly been recognized as UNESCO's Biosphere Reserve Salzburg's Lungau since July 2012. The international UNESCO title distinguishes particularly valuable living areas. Therefore, the third and biggest Biosphere Reserve in Austria is considered a model region for sustainable development.
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Salzburg's Lungau invites you to relax and linger. The almost untouched nature offers peace and relaxation as well as exciting vacation moments. Locals as well as certified biosphere nature & landscape guides, known in German as "Biosphere Fexn", lead special hikes designed to introduce participants to the treasures of the Lungau. Go hiking in the Lungau and experience the diversity that you rarely find anywhere else.