View from a tower in Althofen

View from a tower in Althofen, Austria

From a tower named Hornturm located nearly on top of the mountain settlement Althofen you have this great view of the nearby mountain ranges. The big tower in this picture is named Annenturm and was part of the former town fortifications. Althofen is one of the oldest still inhabited mountain settlements in Austria.

Sound gorge trail in Millstatt

Waterfall at the sound gorge trail in Millstatt, Austria

Along a gorge next to Millstatt there is a fun trail (Klangschlucht Millstatt) which invites hikers to listen to the sounds of the gorge and the water. At this waterfall I was impressed to hear two completely different sounds: The roar of the waterfall and the gurgle of the brook named Riegenbach at the same time.

Path of villas in Millstatt

Villa Waldheim-Mansbart (1899) in Millstatt, Austria

At the end of 19th century Millstatt became famous as the Austrian Nice. Many people from Vienna and abroad – even from Russia – loved to stay for a summer vacation at the Millstatt Lake. From this time a lot of villas are still to see. A path of villas (Villenweg) shows the most impressive villas along the lake and in the city.

Domitian statue in Millstatt

The Domitian statue at Millstatt Lake tells about the origins of the name Millstatt

After a short hiking trip in the mountains around Millstatt Lake (Millstättersee) I came across this sculpture showing Domitian throwing an idol into the lake. There is a legend that the name of Millstatt origins from one thousand statues (mille statuae) of pagan gods and goddesses thrown by Domitian into the lake.