Bergsteigerfriedhof

Name: Mountaineers' Cemetery Description: In the mountaineering village of Johnsbach, stories are told, including tragic ones. For at the Mountaineers' Cemetery, those who lost their lives in the Gesäuse mountains and the mountains of the world find their final rest. They were surprised by thunderstorms, fell from the rock face, or were victims of rockfall. The gravestones tell these stories. The serious side of the mountaineering medal Alpinism in the Gesäuse has a long tradition. The term "University of Mountaineering" was born here, because long before the turn of the 20th century, daring climbs were undertaken here and many revolutionary first ascents were sought. Names like Hess or Preuß are indispensable to the region today. The cemetery itself The stories of falls and accidents are sad, yet the cemetery is a very special place. It is oriented so that one can see the Großer Ödstein, a good (last) view. One begins to read the stories that the gravestones tell and carefully wanders from one to the next. The gravestones are strikingly beautiful and the whole scene is touching. Quote H. Walter describes it beautifully in his book Johnsbach von der Knappensiedlung zum Friedhof: "Thousands of people from all over the world visit this cemetery in the midst of a gladly seen world, feel as living beings and commemorate the dead at a place of sad fame!". This must be mountaineer's heaven.