Pass Strub Fortress

For centuries, the Strub Pass formed the border between Tyrol, later the Austrian Empire, and the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg. It was therefore fortified as early as 1282 under Henry VII.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the border fortress was already referred to as an "old collapsed castle" and called "Thurn in der Strub". Archbishop Paris Lodron, who feared an attack by the Swedes on his archbishopric during the Thirty Years' War, had the defensive structures renewed in 1621. In 1673, the complex already had to be thoroughly restored. A real test only came in 1805 when Austrian troops held the pass and were able to repel the advancing French and Bavarians.

While the Salzburg fortification fell into enemy hands, the Tyrolean fort was held by the Tyrolean riflemen, so that the Napoleonic troops were prevented from advancing into Tyrolean territory here. In 1809, after five attacks, the fortress fell due to betrayal and was subsequently blown up. With the annexation of Salzburg to Austria, a planned new construction of the fortifications became obsolete.

In 1984, the municipality of Lofer had the old ruin remains uncovered and restored. Today, only parts of the Salzburg pass barriers remain. Those of the Tyroleans were completely destroyed. Apart from the guardhouse, remains of the barrier walls and a chapel can still be seen.