Ainring

Is it possible for a town to hold over a millennium of history yet still feel vibrantly alive? Ainring, nestled in Upper Bavaria near the Austrian border, answers with a resounding yes. This municipality, first mentioned in records dating back to 788 AD, has witnessed the ebb and flow of empires. Ainring was once part of the Prince-Archbishopric of Salzburg for over 1000 years. Interestingly, Ainring was never Austrian, becoming part of Bavaria only in 1816. The very name “Ainring” itself came from a merger in 1821. The villages of Au (Hammerau) and Ainring combined, with Ainring lending its name due to its slightly larger population. Ainring’s history isn’t confined to dusty archives. Remnants of a Roman road, a vital link between the Rhine and Danube rivers, still stretch across the area. You can trace its straight path in Mühllreit, Schiffmoning, and Bruch. Imagine the legions marching along this very route, their sandals kicking up dust. The Ainringer Moos, a unique natural treasure, also whispers tales of the past. Once a site for peat extraction and a source of local myths, the Moos was revitalized in 2003. Now a haven for rare flora and fauna, it offers a Moor Experience Trail with an observation tower and a peat museum. Ainring has also been touched by more recent events. The construction of an airfield in 1933, originally a German research facility for gliding, dramatically changed the town. After World War II, those very airfield buildings provided refuge for displaced persons. This area later evolved into Mitterfelden, now Ainring’s largest district. And let’s not forget the Stahlwerk Annahütte, a steel mill whose origins trace back to 1537. Considered the oldest existing ironworks in Europe, it’s a testament to Ainring’s enduring industrial spirit. Today, Ainring thrives as a modern community against a backdrop of stunning Alpine scenery. The Hochstaufen and Untersberg mountains provide a dramatic frame for family vacations, while the nearby city of Salzburg offers cultural excursions. From ancient Roman roads to a revitalized moor, from a historic steel mill to a modern community, Ainring offers a captivating blend of past and present.