The Downside of a Summer Getaway at the Former Gasthaus zum Rosenkranz - Part II

Lecture and music

Friday, September 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the former Gasthaus zum Rosenkranz
featuring Richard Weihs (book presentation)
and the Esther Wratschko Trio (klezmer music)

ON THE CURIOUS HISTORY OF A SPA REGION

Richard Weihs has succeeded in making an important contribution to a nuanced examination of the history of the Semmering region during the Nazi era. This book is the result of years of research, but it is also an attempt to come to terms with what happened and with what was often concealed. It aims to open a space for remembrance, for questions, and for empathy. It aims to make remembrance possible, to demand justice, and to sharpen a historical consciousness that does not delegate responsibility but rather assumes it.”
Drin. Danielle Spera

What is unique is the tenacity that Weihs has shown in this matter. He refused to be fobbed off; even the repeatedly given explanation that “unfortunately, unfortunately” the very files in question had “been lost as a result of the war” served only as further motivation for him, and he repeatedly brought to light shocking revelations, including about the lingering influence of certain individuals and mentalities. Although he succeeded in having a street on the Semmering renamed—it had been named after a Nazi criminal—the municipality opposed his new name proposal, which would have honored one of the expropriated Jewish citizens.
Wolfgang Huber-Lang/Salzburger Nachrichten

WRATSCHKO TRIO

With a varied and unique lineup, the Esther Wratschko Trio breathes new life into Yiddish theater songs and art songs from New York to Moscow, as well as klezmer music from Bessarabia to Brooklyn. With bassoon, clarinet, vocals, and guitar, the three musicians bring to life various facets of Jewish musical tradition, with a special emphasis on the lyrical dimension of this music. Virtuoso performances by Maciej Golebiowski (clarinet), Esther Wratschko (vocals, bassoon, piano), and Fabian Pollacks (guitar) promise a concert evening full of unconventional elegance, dance, and tears.

Dining: Jo’s Restaurant Vorchdorf
The dining room opens at 4:30 p.m. and offers small tavern-style delicacies.
Reservations are absolutely required at: rosenkranz.gmunden@aon.at

Here’s how to get to the former GH Rosenkranz in Gmunden in the Traunsee-Almtal region:

We recommend traveling by public transportation!

By train:
Take the Salzkammergutbahn (Line 170) from Attnang-Puchheim Station to Gmunden Station; from Gmunden Station, take the Traunseetram (Line 161) from Stern & Hafferl to the Gmunden Rosenkranz stop; the same applies if coming from Vorchdorf Eggenberg or Gmunden Engelhof (Park & Ride). The stop is right nearby.

There are numerous connections from Attnang-Puchheim Station to the mainline trains on the Westbahn line (Line 101) or via Gmunden to the Salzkammergut Railway toward Bad Ischl, Hallstatt, and Bad Aussee

By bike:
The former GH Rosenkranz is also very easily accessible by bike, even though the bike route follows the road network.
From the R 2 Salzkammergut Bike Trail, you can ride along Miller-v-Aichholzstraße to the Rosenkranz.
Additional marked bike routes can be found heading toward the train station.

By car:
A1 West Highway: From Munich/Salzburg or Vienna/Linz—take the A1 Regau exit—follow the B145 to Gmunden; similarly, coming from Bad Ischl on the B145—take the Gmunden Zentrum exit—then follow Kaltenbrunerstraße

Parking nearby:
There are only a few free parking spaces nearby. We recommend traveling via the Traunseetram

Park & Ride service from Gmunden Station or Gmunden Engelhof Station.

Please use only the designated parking spaces and be considerate of private property!
Thank you for your cooperation!