With an exciting exhibition, an adventure path on the subject of “borders”, the longest and highest tube slide in the Alps and an open -air rena for events, it offers unforgettable experiences for young and old. Culture, action and regional cuisine make the Fort Kniepass the ideal destination for locals and guests.
From the border post “Chniepoz” to Fort Kniepass: a place with history
With the Opening as Fort Kniepass on Friday, June 27, 2025, The historical border post in the Salzburg Saalach valley opens a new chapter in its eventful history. Elisabeth BRATL, LEGLESS VONE FROM KNGY emphasized: „It is a great joy and honor for me to open this new property of the Salzburg castles and castles and to make the historic Fort Kniepass a place of encounter and experience in the future. With our year -round Offer from culture, action and culinary delights Let us not only create a versatile visitor experience, but also want the location actively develop. In this context we look forward to diverse events – From theater performances and concerts to family festivals and workshops. “ Im Year 1350 Was the “Chniepoz”which played a central role in the region as a fortified border post, mentioned for the first time. In 1613, Archbishop Markus Sittikus had the talley widened along the Saalach through rock blasting. During the Thirty Years’ War, Archbishop Paris Lodron further expanded the fortress in 1621. Thanks to the lack of fighting, it remained largely Received in the original state And later served as a representative building and shooting station.
2023-2025: A new tourist excursion destination is created
In October 2023, construction work around the historic Kniepass Fortress started. The old fortress with a goal and team house was carefully renovated, the old pforte was reactivated. Now the revitalized walls under the name Fort Kniepass opens as New tourist highlight in the region His goals. Planning and implementation The project was in the hands of the Salzburg castles and castlesthat also maintain, maintain, maintain, maintain, develop and develop the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Hohenwerfen Castle, Mauterndorf and Fort Kniepass Castle. Maximilian Brunner, managing director of Salzburg castles and castles, emphasizes: “Our goal was to largely the general public to make unknown fortress visible and tangible. The situation and a location and one Modernity, but matching architecture important. Also the very well frequented Tauernradweg Was at this point with a safe and generous underpass significantly improved. ”
Also LHStV. Stefan Schnöll underlines in its function as State Councilor for Tourism: „In the Saalachtal there is a Fort Kniepass unique place Created, the history, adventure, encounter and thrill in an impressive way. It stands as an example for the Tourist innovationwith which regional identity and cultural diversity in Salzburg are linked. The region not only gained a new and attractive destination, but also a lively meeting point. Regardless of whether on an exciting journey through the past, the insight into the boundaries of the past and the present, the cozy get-together in the visitor center or when it comes to adrenaline in the longest tube slide in the Alps: there is something for everyone-adults, children and families are amazed here to be amazed, discover and experience.“
In the cultural and adventure area, around the start with round 65,000 versions a year Calculated. The Costs for revitalization From Fort Kniepass including path construction, parking spaces, exhibition and construction of the new, modern visitor center, including the gastronomy, was round Fifteen million euros. The private investment by the slide operator Thomas Reisenhofer is an additional 800,000 euros.
Adventure path Kniepass: Exciting & historical on the subject of limits
Im 14th century war Fort Kniepass a border post On the way between Austria and Germany. Not least for this reason, the Adventure path Kniepassthe approx. 55 Meters of altitude from the valley overcomes to the Fort Kniepass fastening system, with the Topic “limits”. Equipped with the Booklet – dem “Puke” – Walk through the visitors at the Ascent to the fastening system Twelve stations. At these the different types of limits Theme and bring history closer to borders. Adults, young people and children have the opportunity to deal with their own limits. There is one for children Special range of gamesin which you collect rock pictures in your “knee pass” and solve puzzles. At the end of the path, which takes about one to one and a half hours, if you “play through” all stations, visitors are invited to evaluate their personal “knee pass” and learn how to deal with limits. The Kniepass adventure path is a captivating Mixing of culture, reflection and adventure – an experience for the whole family. Once at the top, visitors dive in the historical fastening system In the history of the Kniepass a.
HG Merz, exhibition designer and conceptionist, emphasized: „The Fort Kniepass is History to attack – and twice: as historical place it gives historical events a concrete framework. In addition, the Stations on the adventure paththe Artistic objects Tell borders that separate, irritate, overcome or ignore, to play the border issues in a playful development. Such as the natural barrier of the Alps, the borders in the flora, the animals as a cross -border commuter, the smugglers, the poachers and of course exclusion, poverty line and language boundaries. When walking and seeing, the topics are conveyed interactively in an entertaining way. ”
The action/slide – longest & highest tube slide in the Alps
For all adventurous people who do not want to walk down the path into the valley on foot, an absolute adrenaline jick is now waiting: namely that with 150 meters longest and with 56 meters highest tube dry slide the Alps! Spectacularly, it meanders down from the historic fortress and offers a unique experience for young and old: in comfortable felt bags you can go on the slide Top speeds of up to 35 km/h First through a horizontal roundabout before the rapid slide ends in the indoor playground of the visitor center. Special voltage provide special voltage Light and sound effects as well as a timekeeping in the slide. The slide is suitable for children from a minimum body size of 130 Centimeters. The slide can be used for any weather.
The new visitor center: with cuisine, indoor playground & shop
The culinary highlight of Fort Kniepass is that Restaurant “Fort Kulinarik”. Eva Schevers and Thomas Hollaus, the two committed hosts, serve here Specialties from high -quality regional products. This variety of regional cuisine enjoys guests in modern, bright and friendly atmosphere with 80 seats and can at the same time Sustainable products im Take-away-Bereich or in Shop Take away – perfect for everyone who also wants to experience the taste of the region at home. When the weather is nice, the Garden With his playground For lingering in the open air – the ideal place for a relaxed break and a healthy rest.
The is supplemented Interior of the visitor center Through a 80m² Indoor playground: With a large rock formation, nets, an exciting slide, a ball track and components, the play area offers a lot of fun and action. While the adults have a coffee, the children are running out of building, balancing and climbing and testing their skill and creativity.
Fermentation center from autumn 2025
A future -oriented culinary project, That is realized as part of the visitor center, that is Fermentation center. Not only are delicious, fermented products here, but also from autumn 2025 Comprehensive workshop program offered. “Interested parties should not only insight into the Fermentation techniques get, but also discover awareness of healthy, sustainable nutrition, ”so Karin Buchart, nutritionist and fermentation expert, which the offer develops together with the restaurateurs on Fort Kniepass. In this way, the “Fort Kulinarik” should not only be one worthwhile culinary stop for excursion guestsbut also a Meeting point for the local population become.
The open -air talent: Events in medieval walls connecting for borders
Another innovation on Fort Kniepass is that Outdoorthat now with one stage and modern technology was equipped. “From now on can be up to 500 visitors at Concerts, theater performances, shows and presentations Experience unforgettable moments. A current overview of all events with the exact dates can be found on the website www.fort-kniepass.at.
Offers for school classes & groups: make fun and meaning
Fort Kniepass is not only the perfect destination for individual guests, but also an ideal Goal for school classes and other groups. In addition to the Kniepass adventure path and of course the historical walls themselves, various topics and focus tours for school classes and groups make the continued experience even more intensive: at the guide „We conquer the knee pass! ” go School classes or groups of children together On a journey of discovery through the secrets of the historical walls. Finally, you go down the slide at a rapid pace. In the special Group leadership for adults Everything revolves around the question: “What is a fort?”
Another plus for groups, school classes and all other visitors, the State of Transport Stefan Schnöll emphasizes: “Fort Kniepass is ideally accessible by all means of transport, whether by bike over the Tauern bike path, by car or by bus and the stop right outside the door.”