Galtür

Infobox Ort in Österreich
Art = Gemeinde
Name = Galtür
Wappen = Wappen at galtuer.pnglat_deg = 46
lat_min = 58
lat_sec = 05
lon_deg = 10
lon_min = 11
lon_sec = 15
Bundesland = Tirol
Bezirk = Landeck
Höhe = 1584
Fläche = 121.2
Einwohner = 878
Stand = 2005-12-31
PLZ = 6563
Vorwahl = 05443
Kfz = LA
Gemeindekennziffer = 70 606
NUTS = AT334
Straße = Galtür 39
Website = [http://www.galtuer.gv.at www.galtuer.gv.at]
Bürgermeister = Anton Mattle
Partei =
Gemeinderatanzahl = 11
Gemeinderat =
Wahljahr =
image_photo = Galtür (01).jpg

Galtür is a village and ski resort in the upper Paznaun valley in Tyrol (Austria). Located in the Central Eastern Alps 35 km southwest of Landeck near the border of Vorarlberg and Switzerland, its population is about 878.

Description of Galtür

Galtür is very famous for its winter tourism. There are 40 km (25 mi) of perfectly prepared pistes and a varied selection of slopes to explore. Galtür is a family-friendly ski area. Most ski slopes range from easy to medium difficulty. In addition, ski pros will find challenging runs and many deep snow slopes without any tracks. There are 10 mountain railways and lifts, including the eight-seater Alpkogel gondola. Wednesday evenings, night skiing is possible on a floodlit piste.

Galtür became an international media event in 1999, when a huge avalanche destroyed parts of the village and killed 31 people (February 23). Due to continuing danger of avalanches, thousands of tourists had to be evacuated from Galtür and nearby Ischgl via air-lift, for which the Austrian government asked for international help. Military and civil helicopters from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France and the U.S. were engaged in one of the biggest rescue operations of Austria's recent history.For a full story of the avalanche, see: "Galtur Avalanche".

History

Galtür was settled by the Engadinern from the south, the Walsern and Vorarlbergern from the west, and by Tyroleans from the east. Until today the cultivation work of the Engadiner is reminded with the name Galtür = Cultura. During the Thirty Years' War, Galtür was badly damaged. The church and many houses were burned down. The first streets leading trough the Paznaun were built in the 19th century. In Galtür existed at that time only a church, an inn and 8 houses, and the village could be called very poor. After the first hotel, soon followed the construction of the Jamtalhütte. With the tourists, prosperity came to the valley.

External links

* [http://www.galtuer.gv.at/links.htm Galtür]
* [http://www.geschichte-tirol.com/ortsgeschichte/bezirk-landeck/galtur-163.html Historie of Galtür (german)]
* [http://www.alpinarium.at/ Alpinarium Galtür]
* [http://www.galtuer.com/ Tourismoffice Paznaun Galtür]
* [http://www.bergbahnen-galtuer.at/2005/ Silvretta Galtür Cablecars]