Meet The Locals

It might be something in the clean, clear water, or perhaps the rarefied mountain air is responsible, but Salzburgerland is home to an inordinately rich heritage of artisans, craftspeople and mavericks. Their inspiration is tied closely to their bond to the homeland, and comes across clearly in their passions

- Alecsandra Raluca Drăgoi

FRITZ SENDLHOFER

Saw museum curator and Beard and Moustache Championships winner, Zell am See

I won the gold medal in the Full Beard Garibaldi category at the Beard and Moustache Championships in Las Vegas in 2012. My beard is all natural. I don’t use any spray or gel — nothing.

I own a brewery here in Salzburgerland and also a saw museum, featuring saws from around the world. I have travelled a lot, all over the world, but this is definitely my favourite place anywhere.

MARIA DIEGRUBER

Manager at Winterstellgut restaurant, Annaberg

The Winterstellgut used to be an old horse farm before it was bought by Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz and turned into a restaurant. Once a week, the entire restaurant in Annaberg smells of caraway and beechwood chips when chef Erwin Werlberger bakes fresh bread in the bakery at the courtyard’s entrance. The fresh air of the mountains, the view, and the quality of life that comes from being surrounded by nature makes working here a dream.

CLEMENS HÜBSCH

Sculptor of the Krampus mask, Gastein

For me to make a traditional Krampus mask takes approximately 60 hours of manual work. The individual elements all come from Gastein Valley: the Arolla pine, the sheep skin, the ram and goat horns, and, of course, the horse’s mane. I follow in the footsteps of master carvers and sculptors from Gastein such as Josef Lang and Sepp Viehauser.

PHILIP VON MALDEGHEM

Director of the Salzburg State Theatre