Tamsweg: Culture, High-Altitude Cross-Country Ski Trail and Paths through Lungau

Culture and history in Tamsweg

The historic town centre of Tamsweg is one of seven townscape protection zones in the province of Salzburg. An important stop is the former Barbaraspital at Kirchengasse 2, which now houses the Lungau Local History Museum and is a listed building in Tamsweg. Kuenburg Castle, a historic castle in Tamsweg, is also located on Kirchengasse. It is open to the public as a „meeting place“.

St. Leonhard ob Tamsweg brings the history of the town particularly vividly to life. Construction of St. Leonhard Church began in 1421, and it was consecrated in 1433 by Bishop Johann Ebser of Chiemsee. Leonhard ob Tamsweg is the only walled fortified church in the province of Salzburg above the Murtal road. The golden window of St. Leonhard Church consists exclusively of golden-yellow and blue glass panes.

Regional customs also contribute to Tamsweg’s cultural profile. The Vereinigten zu Tamsweg shape the cultural identity of the local population. The Samson parade was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Austria in 2010. The Tamsweg Preber shooting at Prebersee was added to the national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Austria in November 2025. Those who would like to learn about the town’s history not only on their own can take part in historical walks through Tamsweg for groups of five or more organised by the Lungau Local History Museum after registering online.

Prebersee, high-altitude cross-country ski trail and Leonhardsweg

Prebersee near Tamsweg lies at around 1,500 metres above sea level in a mountain landscape with dark forests and lush alpine meadows. Tamsweg is also home to the Preber high-altitude cross-country ski trail.

The signposted Leonhardsweg is 140 kilometres long and leads from Salzburg Cathedral to St. Leonhard Church in Tamsweg.

Cycle paths and tours through Lungau

For cycle tourists, the Murradweg offers an extensive route: it runs for more than 365 kilometres from Lungau through Styria to the Slovenian border. The Murradweg is classified as easy to moderately difficult and runs along paved and well-maintained cycle paths made of asphalt, gravel and crushed stone.

Tamsweg is suitable as a starting point for the Lungau Bike Tour. The entire Lungau Bike Tour can be completed by e-mountain bike.

Travel information and culinary orientation

The district capital of Tamsweg has a railway station that can be reached via the Styrian Murtalbahn railway.

Culinary specialities in Tamsweg include Hasnöhrl’n with sauerkraut and Schöpsessen with Lungau Ächtling.

Further town pages for planning your trip: Lessach, St. Martin, Begöriach, Weißpriach, Hinterweisspriach, Katschberg, Thomatal, Unternberg, Göriach, Tweng, Wölting, Muhr, Zederhaus, Sankt Andrä Im Lungau, Sankt Margarethen Im Lungau, Tamsweg, Sankt Michael Im Lungau, Mauterndorf, Mariapfarr.

To the overarching travel overview: Salzburg region.