Mesnerhaus

In the heart of the Sölktal lies the historically significant Mesnerhaus of St. Nikolai. This unique building, which has served as a village school, poorhouse and orphanage, customs house, and most recently residence for the sacristan during its nearly 400-year history and served as a meeting place for the community, is now poised for a new purpose: it is to become a vibrant center for traditional knowledge, cultural exchange, and shared learning.

With the  interactive exhibition and a diverse event program , the association for the preservation of ancient knowledge in the Sölktal aims to make old knowledge tangible while simultaneously creating a place of togetherness for locals and guests. Esteemed personalities of the valley in the fields of healing arts, music, and culinary arts will be honored. Their actions and influence have shaped the village community, and their legacy is still felt today.

The rear Großsölktal (formerly the municipality of St. Nikolai in Sölktal) is unique due to its special topography. Before motorization, the valley was often inaccessible for weeks during winter months due to avalanche conditions, and even under good conditions, it required a multi-hour walk to reach the next larger settlement. Seasonally, this isolation has led to the fact that the inhabitants had to help each other in all matters of daily life. On the other hand, the Großsölktal has been a trade route over the Alps since the Iron Age during the snow-free period, allowing for a continuous transfer of knowledge from outside.