Border trade in Mittersill

“A fine horse, a fine harness – that’s my joy, and that lovely waitress must be my wife.” (Mittersill Town Archives; the song is taken from the book: Josef Pommer: Blattl-Lieder, 1910;)
Horses, goods, markets and dangers shaped the lives of the muleteers. So-called ‘carriers’ songs’ bear witness to the tradition of pack-horse trade in the Upper Pinzgau, in which today’s National Park Capital of Mittersill already played a central role in the Middle Ages. At the Felberturm Museum , this history is brought to life in a striking way. Craft tools, documents, stories and illustrations serve as a reminder of the lives of the muleteers. It was they who, hundreds of years ago, laid the foundations for trade as a significant economic sector in Salzburg. They braved the dangers and hardships posed by the weather and the landscape, and paved the way for Mittersill to become what it is today: a trading town and economic centre in the Oberpinzgau.

Until 1803, Salzburg, together with what was then known as ‘Windisch-Matrei’ in East Tyrol, was an independent principality-archbishopric. Mittersill played a key role in this: from the Middle Ages right through to the early modern period, the town was regarded as a hub of trade – between north and south, but also east and west. Law and order were the top priority. Administered by officials of the ruling Prince-Archbishop, who resided at the commanding Mittersill Castle, trade was already being conducted in an orderly manner back then. The goods traded were subject to customs duties, and tolls had to be paid for the use of the roads. At that time, every citizen had the right to engage in trade. At weekly, annual and livestock markets, local farmers and traders from neighbouring countries offered their wares for sale. People haggled over salt, wine, schnapps, honey, fine fabrics and animals – all to earn a few guilders for themselves in the process. So-called ‘muleteers’ transported these valuable goods across the borders to Salzburg, Italy and Germany. On foot – come rain or shine – they crossed mountain passes with their horses and overcame all manner of dangers that lay in their path. Time and again, several pack-riders with their horses and servants carrying back-baskets, known as ‘Kraxn’, would join forces for this perilous undertaking. But individual small farmers and traders also set out on the arduous journey over the mountain passes – often lasting several days or weeks – in the hope of returning home with a well-filled purse. Around 1300, the Tauern houses were built; the Matreier Tauernhaus on the Felbertauern is one of them. The old Tauern houses in the region are Spital and Schößwend in the Felbertal valley. Here, the travelling merchants were fed, found accommodation and a safe haven. In return, the hosts were supplied with valuable grain by the Archbishop.