The Grossglockner High Alpine Road: A monumental landmark and the most beautiful panorama road in the Alps

On July 3 Governor Wilfried Haslauer (Supervisory Chairman of GROHAG) and Barbara Neubauer (President of the Federal Bureau of Monuments) have announced:   After five years of preparation and intense negotiations, it is certain: today the Grossglockner High Alpine Road has been placed under protection according to the Monument Protection Act (DMSG)!   Due to the extraordinary location, size and extent of the object "Glocknerstrasse" in the high mountains (about 50 km of transport infrastructure and more than 100 bridges and buildings in the alpine area) for the first in Austrian history the "common objectives for further historically appropriate conservation of Grossglockner High Alpine Road" have been established. This "monument preservation plan" is an integral part of the decision of the Federal Bureau of Monuments.   Because of the extraordinary location and the worthiness of this internationally recognized monument to be protected, it was especially important to Barbara Neubauer, the President of the Federal Bureau of Monuments, to find a broadly supported solution. "... As was already noted, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, due to its orchestrated arrangement in the landscape and in the high alpine region of the Großglockner mountain, and because of its uniqueness in this respect, should undoubtedly be deemed a World Heritage Site." Letter from the Federal Bureau of Monuments to Grossglockner High Alpine Road, PLC from April 25, 2012, ref.: 22.709/3/2012   This also allowed for its application for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "Today is therefore also the official launch of the application for World Heritage status for the Grossglockner High Alpine Road" said Governor Wilfried Haslauer.   For Chairman Haslauer it is important for the future security of the road as a "National Monument", that the application for the title of World Heritage Site and the successful operation of the company GROHAG go hand in hand, so that the integral value for the people in the region of the Hohe Tauern is secured and expanded over the long-term.   Johannes Hörl, the Director of the Board of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, PLC (GROHAG), announced that in addition to the necessary decisions by the company, the affidavits of support between the two participating provinces of Carinthia and Salzburg, and the UNESCO Commission in Austria, as well as the responsible administrations and local community leaders have been contacted personally. All of them have promised their support and unlimited positive backing.   Bernd Paulowitz, Managing Director of "insitu World Heritage Consulting" of Paris has been commissioned with the overall scientific documentation and preparation of the application dossier, which is expected to be officially handed over to UNESCO at the end 2016 in Paris. "The chances for the Grossglockner High Alpine Road with its unique place as the first road in Europe and one of the few roads around the world to achieve World Heritage status are very good!" said Paulowitz.   Kurt Luger, UNESCO Chair of "Cultural Heritage and Tourism", sees in the application and in the following World Heritage tourism a huge opportunity for the company, or the object Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which with nearly 800,000 – 900,000 visitors in the summer months, is already one of the main tourist attractions in Austria and is extensively represented in "Alpine Austria".   "With appropriate measures it will be possible to reach new audiences and a proper inclusion in "international World Heritage tourism" which should open up new markets, that will also lead to a noticeable change in the accommodation structure in the surrounding communities. Particularly in the Asian target market (see Hallstatt) and overseas, but also within Europe." Luger said.