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At an altitude of 632m, population 6,474
Popular culture, violin making and a religious tradition that is still very much alive dominate the picturesque Tyrolean village of Absam, nestling in the foothills of the Karwendel mountain range. The House of the Apparition − where in 1797 the 18-year-old Rosina Bucher saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in a pane of glass, from which it simply couldn't be removed − and the Pilgrimage Church elevated to basilica status in 2000, form the spiritual heart of this famous place of pilgrimage. In addition, anyone taking the Way of St James footpath in the Tyrol will pass through the pretty village. But it is not just pilgrims from near and far that like to visit Absam.
The famous violin-maker Jakob Stainer (1617 − 1683) lived and worked in this delightful village. The local history museum devotes itself in some detail to his life and his work – making Absam a place of pilgrimage for all violin enthusiasts too.
The fun really starts at Shrovetide, when the Absam "Matschgerer", colourful masked figures, take to the streets. Every four years there's a grand procession. But even in the intervening years visitors can witness their performances in the village and in the local taverns. If you wish to find more out about the history of Absam's Shrovetide customs and these weird and wonderful characters, such as the "Spiegeltuxer" and the "Zottler", then pay a visit to the Matschgerer museum.
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Sports enthusiasts and nature-lovers will certainly not be disappointed by Absam. They will find it hard to resist the untamed, but still romantic Hall valley and the opportunity to explore such places as the Alpenpark Karwendel nature conservation park, 920 sq.km of pure, unadulterated nature. And of course it goes without saying that this unique area is one stage in the Eagles' Trail (Adlerweg), the new Tyrol-wide footpath.
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