St. Veit in Defereggen, the highest located municipality of East Tyrol, is part of the High Tauern National Park
Image gallery: St. Veit in Defereggen
Altitude: 1,495 m a.s.l.
Bruggen, Görtschach, Gassen, Gritzen, Gsaritzen and Moos are part of the municipality of St. Veit. Already since 200 AC, farmers from the Virgental valley have used the area in the Defereggen Valley as pasture-land. In 1313 AD, St. Veit was mentioned for the first time. Despite of its high location potatoes and corn were cultivated in the village, situated on the sunny side of the valley.
Today St. Veit is mainly a charming holiday resort. You may discover its surroundings on the educational nature and culture trail called "Life on the steep slope" that was established by the High Tauern National Park. Starting point is the hamlet of Bruggen, and along this trail the hard lives of mountain farmers are highlighted and interesting information on corn cultivation is provided. The trail leads also past some mills where flax was processed and grain was milled.
In winter, in the neighbouring St. Jakob in Defeggen there's the Brunnalm Skiing Area with its beautiful slopes. If you are warming up in one of the cosy huts or restaurants afterwards, maybe you'll come across the "Deferegger Senf". The Defereggen Valley has its own mustard, which is available in a multitude of flavours such as bio chili, cranberry, orange-pumpkin or elderberry.
