The holiday town of Leogang is located about one hour south west of Salzburg, not far from the top dog of Kitzbühel. Since Leogang is a small place, there are few 5-star hotels, but in return you enjoy a large skiing area (together with the one in Saalbach-Hinterglemm). And smack in the middle of the town you find the oldest tavern in the Salzburg region, the historical Kirchenwirt 1326.
Let us say in advance: the siblings Barbara und Hans-Jörg, who now run the tavern in the fifth generation, want everyone to see, feel and experience the history of the building. For example the family suite “Die Tischlerei” (The Joinery): hanging on the wall is an old advertising poster with the claim: “good eating, good drinking/ quiet rooms”. And you we look at it today. Nothing has really changed. The Kirchenwirt is an absolute jewell with 17 individually furnished rooms and suites and one of the best restaurants in the whole of Austria.
The most important thing about the Kirchenwirt: all the rooms have been completely renovated, in a mixture of traditional and modern, valuable family owned antiques were combined with memorabilia from the world of design. This can also go wrong, as we have ascertained after testing many hotels. In Kirchenwirt this is not the case. “I was allowed to run riot with the furnishings”, stated Barbara, but this was not a bad thing. She lived and studied for many years abroad, worked in advertising for Tirol, and even for Swarowski in the fashion area.
What we found particularly beautiful was how the historical building material has been revealed, sometimes you saunter through a bathroom with glass walls, under which 500 year old stone flooring is displayed. Apropos bathrooms: especially in these rooms, which are frequently underestimated by guesthouses, there were no costs spared. The obligatory free standing bathtub is also present here, but it looks very lovely and fits right into the picture.
With the same enthusiasm like Barbara, brother Hans-Jorg occupied himself with the gastronomy part of the business. As an Olympic snowboarder, Hans-Jörg has travelled to many different places, discovering excellent wine producing areas, so in the exclusive wine cellar of the historic building, one will find very interesting wines and Hans Jörg can tell a story about each bottle.
Ideal for
Every kind of lovers of mountains, who can see a large difference between real and unreal and only want to enjoy their holidays with one of them. In addition, superb food in the evening with a very noble choice of wines. Apart from the restaurant parlour, there is also a wonderfully romantic guest garden, the historical “Samerstall” with its Gothic arches and a ceremonial hall with room for up to 120 people, therefore also ideal for weddings or birthday parties.
Special
Kirchenwirt 1326 hs recently opened its own art gallery in one of the historic barns, that belong to the estate.
Journey
It’s best to fly with a plane to Munich, Innsbruck or Salzburg and then head to Kirchenwirt with a rental car or shuttle. If you fly into Salzburg, you could combine it with a stay at blaue gans Salzburg or Townhouse Weisses Kreuz, both members f Pretty Hotels.
Prices
In winter from 115 euros per person including breakfast.
In summer from 90 euros per person including breakfast.
Booking & contact
Der Kirchenwirt K1326
restaurant & historic hotel
Hans-Jörg Unterrainer & Barbara Kottke
A-5771 Leogang Nr.3, Dorfmitte
Salzburgerland / Austria
Tel. +43 (0)6583 8216
info@k1326.com
www.k1326.com
