Egon Schiele Aussichtspunkt

The 2.30 meter high iron tower displays the art print by Schiele pressed on glass . The story behind it can be read in four languages. Due to the intricate construction, one can directly compare the drawing with the original – the roofs of Rattenberg. What is astonishing is the detailed view by Schiele, which has hardly changed even after 100 years. Virtually every gable, chimney, and the facades correspond with the drawing perspective.

Located between the rocky projecting Schlossberg and the Inn is the town of Rattenberg. The population number likely elicits a smile from city dwellers, as with its approximately 420 residents and 11ha of municipal area, it is the smallest town in Austria. However, during a stroll through the historic streets, one quickly notices that a town does not have to be large to offer something great. Behind the medieval facades, Rattenberg holds some secrets.

It is also little known that Egon Schiele - one of the most important Austrian expressionists - dedicated a drawn monument to the town. Schiele's image shows the roof landscape of Rattenberg from a special perspective he obtained from the Schlossberg. For a long time, this representation was confused with the town of Krumau, but it is clearly the roofs of Rattenberg. What is remarkable is that the view has hardly changed even after 100 years. Virtually every tiny detail, the gables, chimneys, and even the facades seem unchanged.

The image was created in the year 1917, a year before Egon Schiele's death. Schiele had traveled to Tyrol to sketch the military's food depots on behalf of the k.u.k. army. In Tyrol, these were located in Brixlegg, Bolzano, and Brunico. The drawings were intended as a report of activities for a planned commemorative publication of the army, which, however, never appeared. What remains is the drawing of Rattenberg. 

Directly at parking lot P1 Rattenberg, follow the signs "To the Schlossberg" at the small underpass. The next 400 meters to the Schlossberg can be managed on foot in about 10 to 15 minutes.

In the town center at the restaurant and event center Malerwinkel, take the elevator to the rooftop terrace. From there, you can reach the Schlossberg in about five minutes on foot.

Coming from the east (train station or parking lot P4 or P5): right after the railway underpass, the path leads about 200 m and 10 minutes on foot to the Schlossberg.

Egon Schiele is regarded as one of the most important visual artists of Vienna's modern era, alongside Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka. At just ten years old, he already stood out with his unique talent as a draftsman. His breakthrough came around 1910 when he created a stir with his new radical style and uncompromising depictions of the human body. Egon Schiele died in 1918 at the age of only 28 from the Spanish flu. His most famous works include nudes and self-portraits, for which the artist even spent time behind bars due to indecent representation.
Less indecent, but no less impressive, are his drawings of landscapes that he painted from elevated viewpoints. This includes the view of Rattenberg, which every visitor to the town can admire.

Image credit for the portrait: Archive Leopold Museum