Lofer

Lofer, province of Salzburg, market town in the district of Zell am See, alt. 626 m, pop. 1,855, area 55.64 km², bi-seasonal tourist resort (308,997 overnight stays) where the Loferbach stream flows into the River Saalach, at the northern foot of the Loferer Steinberge mountains. - Ammunition depot of the Federal Armed Forces, combined power and district heating plant burning wood-chips, Loferer Almbahn (mountain railway) to Loderbichl (alt. 999 m) and Loferer Alm (alpine pasture area); mountain railway most important business factor; apart from hotel and tourist trade mainly wood processing. - Gothic parish church with north tower built between 1315-1338, 1678 enlarged in Baroque style, with Gothic frescos (15^th century), Madonna with child (1500), Baroque side altars, high altar (1901); plague column (1564, oldest in Salzburg); densely built-up centre: former archiepiscopal brewery (portal 1667), town hall (centre 16^th century), Heimathaus (local heritage museum); remains of fortifications at the border with Tirol at Strub pass (guard-house and remains of concrete dam, 1621, 1809 blasted, 1983-1984 unearthed and partly rebuilt); old narrow foot path for log driving leading from Teufelsschlucht gorge along the river Saalach towards Unken.

Literature: S. Hinterseer, Heimatchronik Lofer-St. Martin, 1982.