Mondsee and Irrsee
.... or where the mountain meets the lake!
Two lakes with history. Since the Neolithic Age.
1,000 years of monasteries as a source of culture that is more alive than ever.
Where everyman speaks dialect and music sounds out onto the lake in gentle waves.
The two Salzkammergut lakes Mondsee and Irrsee lie like shimmering pearls in the middle of a dreamlike landscape of secluded valleys and striking mountains.
Who could imagine a better place to get creative?
The first settlers of the region, the so-called pile dwellers, probably had a similar experience: more than 6,000 years ago, they settled around Lake Mondsee, cultivated the land and traded in raw materials, pottery and art objects. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can still follow in their footsteps today, whether in the pile-dwelling pavilion on the lakeside promenade or in the Austrian pile-dwelling museum.
Discover our wonderful low mountain landscape around Mondsee and Irrsee as part of your seminar or conference.
The special beauty of the region is best appreciated on a boat trip across Lake Mondsee.
While the hilly landscape on the north side of the lake slopes gently down to the shore, the rugged flanks of the Drachenwand and Schober mountains rise up in the south to form a spectacular mountain backdrop. The icing on the cake is the turquoise blue water of Lake Mondsee, which reflects the silhouette of the mountains rippled by small waves.
The excursion is made even more unique by a special program on board: in addition to the striking panorama, a supporting program on the ship ensures the best entertainment and unforgettable memories. For example, the “Coffee and Cake Cruise” will sweeten your stay or the captain himself will prepare fish he has caught for the “Fishing Captains Dinner”.
The legendary story of the founding of the monastery in Mondsee in 748 is also closely linked to the lake: According to legend, the moon, which was reflected in the waters of Lake Mondsee, saved the hunting party of the Bavarian Duke Odilo from falling over a cliff. It is said that the duke founded the monastery, which lasted for over 1,000 years, in gratitude for the rescue.
The associated Mondsee Basilica is the largest church in Upper Austria after St. Mary's Cathedral in Linz and also one of the most impressive in Austria. From the Romanesque period to the general renovation in 2009, countless interesting works of art from different eras can be found here. On special guided tours of the church or art history tours, you can gain an overview of the diverse decor of this impressive place of worship.
“Jeedermaaann!": The famous Jedermann call can be heard echoing through Mondsee from afar during the summer months. On six dates in July and August, the approved dialect version of the well-known play “Jedermann - Das Spiel vom Sterben des reichen Mannes” by Hugo von Hofmannsthal is performed on the Mondsee open-air stage. And has been since 1922!
For lovers of classical music, the Mondsee Music Days, a renowned chamber music festival, have been an absolute fixture in the annual calendar for 30 years. Founded in 1989 by András Schiff, the festival inspires with its annually changing thematic focus from the classical chamber music repertoire, which is placed in an exciting context by contemporary composers.
