Hotel-Gasthof Alte Post, Großarl in Salzburg, Österreich

The Alte Post was first mentioned in the 15th century. During the Maria Theresa era there was a business license for a bakery here, which is why it bore the name Unterbacken Wirtshaus (or Bakery Inn).

In 1920 our great-grandparents, who originally came from St. Lorenzen in Southern Tyrol, bought the guesthouse and surrounding farmland.

Until 1927 the post was brought to St. Johann by stagecoach, and the horses were stabled with us, which is where the name „Alte Post“. (Old Post) comes from. In 1957 our grandparents took over the business, and in 1990 they handed it down to our parents, Toni and Maria Knapp.

The History of Grossarl

The town was established when humans first moved into the valley, and the area has a long history of human settlement. The so-called „Arl-Scharte“ was one of the most important north-south routes through the Pongau mountain range.

Up to the 17th century, the hamlet around the church developed into a sizable market town with shops and a guesthouse. Due to the booming mining industry, the people of the area gradually became rather affluent, leading some of them, mostly tradesmen (shoemakers, blacksmiths, tailors, etc.), to build impressive houses on the village square.

In 1960 transport to the valley began to be developed. The provincial government of Salzburg officially declared Grossarl a market town on May 23, 1962. Grossarl received its coat of arms on the very same day. Beginning in the 1970s, tourism started to grow in the Grossarl Valley, bringing with it general prosperity.

A Book by Burgl Knapp

„A simseiras Weiwal“
„A stoarchassige Kost“

Who understands the meaning of these expressions today?

Burgl Knapp tells us this and much more in his most charming collection of old words, customs, stories and poems, with a particular focus on Advent and Christmas.

„In this book I’ve written down memories from my childhood and teenage years, which were unfortunately colored by the war.

I was born the second of thirteen children on May 17, 1926 at the Reitbauernhof in Grossarl. From 1932 to 1940 I attended the primary school in Grossarl, which had six classes. DThe year after that I worked on my parents’ farm.

During the winter of 1947-1948 I attended the Winklhof School of Agriculture in Oberalm. I got married in 1948 and became the owner of the „Alten Post“. I have 8 children and 16 grandchildren.

Advent, with its special customs and atmosphere, was always the most beautiful time of year for me. A lot of the old traditions are still with us, though many are now almost unimaginable.“

Burgl Knapp, Fall 2008