Holiday Resort Zell am Ziller

With an area of 243 hectares, Zell is the second smallest  municipality in the Tyrol. Its approximately 2,000 residents make Zell one of the more densely populated municipalities of the Ziller valley.

A look in the historical archives tell us that in Carolingian times - in the year 739 - an important determination of borders took place, which, in some cases at least, is still valid today. Then, when the border was drawn between Salzburg and Tyrol, the Ziller river was established as the line separating the dioceses of Salzburg and Brixen-Säben. At the time, Zell already existed in some form and had an influence on the shape of the border. A monk cell - the name "Zell" is derived from "Celle" - was the location from which the Christianisation of the region was begun. In 1188, Archbishop Adalbert of Salzburg gave to the Johannes Hospital, the current old people's home, the tithe collected in the Zell parish.

So, a little over eight hundred years ago the first mention of Zell am Ziller in an official document took place. In the first half of the 17th century, the village became economically successful when in the region around Zell the only goldmine in Tyrol was run.

1989 was the year of a special mark of distinction when the Tyrolean provicial government officially gave Zell the right to call itself "Marktgemeinde" starting with July 1st. This label documents and affirms that the centrally located Zell is of considerable cultural, economical and historical importance.

Today, Zell am Ziller is - despite its small size - one of the most important municipalities of the valley. Many boards and offices of importance for the entire valley are seated here, e.g. the deanery, the district court, two notary's offices and the district forest inspector. Zell is also an education centre with seven different school types. The central location and the good private and public transport links turned Zell into the "Heart of the Zillertal" and, as a result, into an important economical centre, in which tourism has an important role to play.

In addition, trade and small to medium-sized businesses have their place in Zell. Over 160 companies and almost as many private landlords work here and manage to secure many jobs that way. Exemplary work is done by the oldest Tyrolean private brewery, founded around 1500. The "Zeller Bräu"'s name is inseperable from the "Gauderfest", a festival taking place on the first weekend in May, a unique celebration of Spring that attracts countless visitors each year.

Winter sport lovers can find attractive ski areas and modern lifts taking them to the Zillertal Arena - one of the ten largest continuous ski areas in Austria. Beautiful hike paths are tempting the wanderer on relaxing trips in the well-cared-for natural environment of the village. A large-scale leisure park offers sport lovers and those in need of relaxation ample opportunities to be active throughout the entire year. People interested in history and culture would do well to take a closer look at our local heritage museum and an exhibition goldmine.