From the Bavarians to today
From 700 AD to 1124
The chronicle and history of Abtenau begins with the settlement by the Bavarians in the 6th century AD and the Christianization by St. Rupert around 700. "Abtenau" refers to the entire upper Lammertal valley, including the present-day communities of Abtenau, Annaberg, and Russbach. Settlement of the wide forest valleys was in full swing around 1100. In 1124, Archbishop Conrad I donated some land and the left bank of the Lammer to the Monastery of St. Peter in Salzburg, while retaining the right bank for himself. Even today, the Monastery of St. Peter owns forest and agricultural lands in the Lammertal.
Church and Archbishops
The first church in Abtenau was built in the second half of the 12th century by Archbishop Conrad III. By 1350, settlement was almost complete. Around 3000 people are thought to have lived in Abtenau. There was no room for more given the economic conditions of the time. Even then, a "High Princely Land and Urbargericht" (High Princely Land and Urbar Court) existed, which also administered the archbishop's estates. St. Peter's had established a mother parish within its domain. This laid the foundations for the main town of Abtenau. Abtenau developed into the rural, economic center of the Lammertal Valley and was elevated to market status in 1507 by Archbishop Leonhardt von Keutschach, thus granting it market rights and civil liberties such as buying, selling, trade, and commerce, as well as the right to hold an annual fair on St. Maximilian's Day. The farmers, who lived on their individual farms, were organized into Rieden (rieden) and Rotten (community plots). The farmers and also the inhabitants of the market were almost all under manorial lords, of which St. Peter and the Archbishop's Hofurbar were the predominant.
Court and school building
Abtenau played only a minor role in the Peasants' War of 1525/26. Its own courthouse was also built in this century. The dues to the lords consisted largely of "cheese, clarified butter, and grain." Tithes went to the church. Around 1600, the first school in Abtenau was founded privately, with tuition fees and lordly support from St. Peter's. Its origins, as elsewhere, were in the reading of the Holy Scriptures and—after the Council of Trent—the Catechism.
1816
Abtenau becomes part of Austria
In 1803, the ecclesiastical principality of Salzburg was abolished. In 1809, Abtenau was drawn into the fighting during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1816, the rest of Salzburg, including Abtenau, became part of Austria.
Post, trade and hospitality
In 1848, the manorial estates were dissolved (emancipation of the peasants), and the communities of Abtenau and Annaberg were established within the judicial district—a new era began. Even then, several businesses included beer and wine taverns located across from the church district. This division remains today. On one side of the market square are the church, rectory, and cemetery; diagonally across are five inns.
On August 1, 1850, a postal expedition with driving mail was set up in Abtenau
On August 1, 1850, a postal expedition with driving mail was set up in Abtenau
From summer resorts to today's tourism
After the Second World War, tourism began to develop, initially with the so-called summer resorts; later, with the advancement of alpine skiing, the winter season also gained importance. Today, Abtenau, with approximately 6000 inhabitants, is the largest town in the Lammertal Valley (187 km²). It has retained its rural and down-to-earth character, which is precisely why it is so popular with holidaymakers.
