Au
More Information - Au
Schneekristall Week
Enjoy a free holiDAY!
Snow Crystal Week
9 - 16 January 2010
Stay 7 nights in an accommodation of your choice incl. a 6-day 3-valley ski pass from only
EUR 473 incl. half board in ****hotel
EUR 432 incl. half board in ***hotel
EUR 313 incl. breakfast (B&B)
EUR 268 self-catering
For choice:
Ski equipment (skis, boots, poles) for six days at EUR 97 instead of EUR 106
10% discount on all 5 and 6-day courses of the ski and snowboard school
We are looking forward to make you a customized offer!
Kinderschnee special offer
A myriad of exciting and cheap offers for the whole family
During our special offer, which is valid from 16 to 23 January, 6 to 13 March and 13 to 20 March 2010, kids aged between 3 and 6 years (born 2004/2005/2006) ski for free and get a free 4-day skiing course if they stay 7 days.
Every Friday: horse-drawn sleigh rides
Winter with families
Children are well looked after in Au and Schoppernau: in the skiing school they learn to ski or board easily. In the ski kindergarden children from 3 years on are looked after, even during lunchtime. In the children adventure land directly at the top terminal of the Diedamskopf cable car the mascot "Didi" and trained supervisors guarantee fun and entertainment. This service is free of charge for guest children of Au and Schoppernau .
5 - 11 April 2010
The offer includes
- 4 nights in a partner accommodation for the price of 3 nights
Rate per person
from EUR 216 at 3-star hotel incl. half-board
from EUR 150 at 3-star hotel incl. half-board
from EUR 75 incl. breakfast (B&B)
from EUR 51 in a self-catering apartment
Arrival and departure dates are flexible!
Please ask for a customized offer!
The baroque builders of Au
After the miserable years during the Thirty Years War, a building boom started. The exuberant baroque architecture of these years reflects the lust for life during this time.
Some of the most beautiful churches in southern Germany, Switzerland and even in the Alsace region were built in the 17th and 18th centuries by builders from Vorarlberg. Most of these builders belonged to the guild of Au.
Among the most important buildings are the parish church in Birnau (Germany), the churches of the monasteries Kempten (Germany), St. Gallen (Switzerland), Einsiedeln (Switzerland) and Weingarten (Germany).
A whole village is building baroque churches
Michael Beer had the idea that the whole village would specialize in building baroque churches . Around 1650 he founded a craftsmen guild so-called "Auer Zunft". It united master-builders, brick layers, carpenters, stonemasons and plasterers. Talented craftsmen could also be found in other Vorarlberg regions.
Between the middle of the 17th century and the end of the 18th century about 850 master-builders were in action. With around 600 members the Auer Zunft was the centre of the well-known Vorarlberg baroque building school. Between 1670 and 1699 nearly the whole male population of Au and Schoppernau earned their money by building houses, churches etc.
One of the factors of success was the bonding between the members - most of them were related. Over generations the same families were the most influential. 53 masters were called Moosbrugger, 33 named Beer, seven Thumb and seven Kuen.
The above-average training of the junior staff was another factor of succsess. From 1650 to 1787 around 1800 people finished an apprenticeship, meanwhile they learned statics, geometry, material knowledge, calculation and other skills. After their absolution the trainee went on the tramp and spent the winters in their home village to learn more.
Around the middle of the 18th century the Auer Zunft lost its importance. 1868 it was finally dissolved.