Bad Gastein

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Bad Gastein
Coat of arms Location
Wappen or image_coa
Bad Gastein (Austria)
Bad Gastein
Administration
Country Flag of Austria Austria
State Salzburg
District St. Johann im Pongau
Mayor Gerhard Steinbauer (ÖVP)
Basic statistics
Area 170.6 km² (65.9 sq mi)
Elevation 1,002 m  (3288 ft)
Population 5,838  (15/05/2001)
 - Density 34 /km² (89 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate JO
Postal code 5640
Area code 06434
Website http://www.bad-gastein.at

Coordinates: 47°6′0″N 13°1′0″E / 47.1, 13.01667

Bad Gastein is a spa town in Austria, situated in the middle of the National Park Hohe Tauern, at 1,000 metres above sea level. It hosted the Alpine ski world championship in 1958. It is located at the head of the Gastein valley, within the state of Salzburg, in which Salzburg is the major city.

The name "Bad" means "spa" in the Gastein valley

Contents

[edit] Transportation

It enjoys good transport links with connections to other parts of Austria via road, rail and identifiable cycle routes.

It is a stop along a major railroad line connecting many Austrian cities along a single circuit; the cities include Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, and Graz. Because it is on a main railway thoroughfare, it is easily accessible by the frequent Eurocity and Intercity trains going along this route.

A road also passes right through the Gastein Valley. Through traffic is simple from the northern entrance to the Valley toward the Dorfgastein side of the Valley. However, going south toward Mallnitz requires rolling your car onto a train for a short trip through the train tunnel.

[edit] History

The small city of Bad Gastein once was a famous resort, visited by Kings and the rich and famous. Some of the persons who frequented Bad Gastein in the past are the Austrian Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) and German Emperor Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia Wilhelm. From the sixties of the 20th century on the resort lost some its former notoriety.

However, during winter times these days, most of the town is inhabited by Scandinavian skiers. The town may be more known for its wild party-life than for its skiing, yet it's possible to find decent off-piste slopes.

[edit] Activities

One can enjoy winter sports, summer hiking, and its healing water treatments. During the past few years, Bad Gastein renovated its "Felsentherme" and Congress Center. In December, Bad Gastein also hosts the snowboard WM and boardercross.

Most of the Gastein Valley contains moderate to good skiing/snowboarding, with plenty of chairlifts and gondolas. Many establishments on the slope offer warmth, food, and strong drink.

[edit] Spa and Therapy

The local thermal spring water earned the town its early fame. Theophratus Parcelsus (1493-1541) studied the Spring water to discover its secrets. Madame Curie(1867-1934) and Heinrich Mache(1876-1954) helped to discover that it contained radon.

Radioactive water baths, with tighly controlled quantities of exposure, have been used for many years in many places. For example: Joachimsthal, Czech Republic and in traditional Japanese onsen in Misasa, Tottori prefecture.

The Gasteiner-Heilstollen radon inhalation therapy began as a result of further investigation into the anecdotal experiences of silver miners who noticed improvements in symptoms from various ailments including arthritis (further citation needed). Ankylosing spondylitis (Also known as Bechterew's disease), in particular, has seen positive results from treatment at the Heilstollen. This style of therapy is also done in Kowary, Poland and in Boulder, Montana, United States. This treatment is covered by some Austrian and German health insurance plans. However, there is very little empirical evidence of any benefit to inhaling radon. For example, one of the few studies to test the efficacy of spa treatments for Ankylosing spondylitis found no statistically significant difference between a group that spent three weeks at Bad Gastein and a group that spent three weeks at a different spa without radon inhalation therapy. [1]. On the other hand, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing approximately 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year. [2]

[edit] Traditions

Bad Gastein has vibrant pagan traditions that have been slightly assimilated into Roman Catholic tradition. For more information see Paganism in the Eastern Alps. One example is the Krampus, now one of the Companions of Saint Nicholas. The Krampus an elemental, horned and demonic character, playfully re-enacted by bands of male revelers during December and also once every four years during a Perchten event or Perchtenlauf. The Perchtenlauf here happens every four years. The most recent was in January of 2006.

[edit] References

  1. ^ van Tubergen et al., "Combined spa-exercise therapy is effective in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial." Arthritis Rheum. 2001 Oct;45(5):430-8, http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/85515153/HTMLSTART
  2. ^ Radon and Cancer: Questions and Answers - National Cancer Institute

[edit] External links

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Municipalities in district St. Johann im Pongau