14th century

Ischgl becomes an important place of pilgrimage. The pilgrimage church of St. Nicholas, which was built in the 14th century, still attracts believers and visitors.

13th century First written mention of Ischgl

The history of Ischgl goes back centuries and is closely linked to the development of the Paznaun Valley and the Alpine region. Archaeological finds prove that the region was already inhabited in the Bronze Age. However, the first written mention of Ischgl dates back to the 13th century. For a long time, Ischgl was an agricultural village, with its inhabitants relying primarily on livestock farming and agriculture. The high alpine meadows in the surrounding area proved ideal for alpine farming.

15th century

In the 15th century, mining began to play an important role in the region. The extraction of lead and silver, in particular, became economically significant for Ischgl and the Paznaun Valley.

19th century Ischgl’s smuggling route

Ischgl and its surroundings, particularly the Paznaun region in the Tyrolean Alps, were historically known for smuggling activities. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, considerable economic hardship plagued this remote mountain region, and smuggling, especially of goods like tobacco and coffee, became a way for the inhabitants to supplement their income. The proximity to the Swiss and Italian borders made the region particularly attractive for smugglers. The narrow passes and remote mountain paths provided opportunities to transport goods across borders, avoiding taxes and customs duties.

During the Second World War, the smuggling routes in Ischgl were used even more intensively, as residents smuggled food and other urgently needed goods across the borders to secure their livelihoods. Although these activities were illegal, for many people, it was the only way to survive during those difficult times.

Today, Ischgl commemorates this smuggling history with events and museums that document the region’s smuggling activities. The development of tourism in Ischgl, along with cooperation with Switzerland and other neighboring countries, has ended the need for smuggling. However, the memory of this historical practice remains an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage.

Female pioneering spirit

Ischgl’s touristic development is also thanks to a remarkable woman: Katharina Parth. Known as the „mother of Ischgl,“ Katharina was the first emancipated woman in the Paznaun Valley. Born in 1881, she was always ahead of her time, determined to achieve whatever she set her mind to. Katharina was the first woman to run alpine huts on the Grossglockner and the Ortler, at a time when only men were allowed to be mountain guides and lease huts.

She was also the visionary who opened the first guesthouse in the region, offering the unprecedented luxury of hot running water in every room – a sensation at the time. Katharina lived to be 100 years old and continued to run the guesthouse, which is now the Hotel YSCLA, until she was 90.

20th century Top of the Mountain

During the 20th century, Ischgl, like many Alpine regions in Austria, underwent a transformation in the course of which tourism developed into one of the most important sources of income. In 1972, the Silvretta cable car was opened, connecting Ischgl with the Swiss municipality of Samnaun and creating the cross-border ski area Ski-Raum Ischgl-Samnaun.

From 1980, legendary après-ski parties attract people from all over the world, and the après-ski culture in Ischgl becomes a trademark of the resort. In 1995, a concert by Austrian world star Udo Jürgens takes place, marking the beginning of the „Top of the Mountain“ concert series. From then on, the village is transformed into a huge open-air stage for world-class concerts every spring and fall. Greats such as Elton John, Tina Turner, and Robbie Williams have already performed here.

2009 – The culinary Way of St. James

New pioneers are coming up with new ideas and ensuring the constant further development of the destination. For example, local and international top chefs attract gourmets from all over the world as part of the „Culinary Way of St. James“ initiative. The initiative was launched in 2009 by the municipality of Ischgl in collaboration with the Paznaun-Ischgl tourism association, with the aim of combining hiking in the Tyrolean Alps with the culinary diversity of the region in order to establish Ischgl as a gourmet travel destination.

The plan worked and has helped to promote the Paznaun-Ischgl region as a year-round vacation destination. It also shows how the local community and the tourism sector can work together to create a unique experience for visitors.

2011

A new luxury hotel complex, the Trofana Royal, is opened and contributes to the positioning of Ischgl as a premium travel destination.

2016/17

The Paznaun Taja is opened, a unique exhibition and information center on the mountains and culture of the region. There’s no more smuggling on the route between the Tyrolean town of Ischgl and Switzerland – today it’s skiing! Opened in the 2016/2017 winter season in the Silvretta Arena, the smugglers’ circuit is now one of the most popular ski routes for winter sports enthusiasts.

2022 – Silvretta Therme

The construction of this modern wellness and recreation facility took three years. The spa opened on December 8, 2022. The architectural jewel sets new standards: two buildings house around 1,000 m² of water areas as well as a sauna area covering over 1,500 m², two restaurants, and a pool bar. The new bathing temple cost a good 75 million euros, making it the largest single investment in the history of the Silvrettaseilbahn. The modern spa center has helped to establish Ischgl as a year-round destination for relaxation and recreation and offers a pleasant contrast to the lively après-ski life in the region.