Seefeld, on the ski slopes for Ferragosto

Our travels through Austria continue on to another location east of Innsbruck, Seefeld in Tirol, not far from the German border.

Some of you might already know the town for its skiing facilities; specialised in winter sports, Seefeld hosted two editions of the Winter Olympic Games in the past and will host the Nordic Ski World Championships in 2019.

It is easily reached both by car and by train; we parked in front of the Wildsee, a lake surrounded on one side by the forest and on the other by reeds. A dirt path allows you to walk around quietly, even if after the rain it is advisable to use suitable shoes because of the large puddles that form along the path.

The lake is suitable for bathing/ swimming and there are tourist facilities that offer catering services, a playground for children, a beach volleyball court and even boat rentals. The weather that day wasn't the best, and we gave up on the idea of a swim, heading instead towards the city centre.

We passed by a mini-golf course and walked along the main street, observing the rickshaws pulled by horses and the shop windows for wood craft. For those looking for souvenirs, here you will be spoilt for choice.

The streets are bordered by the many hotels, built in a typical Tyrolean style, with balconies decorated with brightly coloured flowers against a wooden background, and shops alternating with cafes.

Once in the main square we were greeted by the giant red inscription: "Seefeld 2019", complete with a countdown.

However, the church of St. Oswald, which became a pilgrimage destination following the "Eucharistic Miracle". In fact, the panels depicts the castle-dweller of Schlossberg Oswald Milser, while kneeling to receive the host, this was dyed red and the floor collapsed swallowing him; in disappearing he tried to cling to the altar stone where the mark left by his hand is still visible.

After a quick visit inside we continued on towards one of the main streets in search of a place to sit and have a coffee and warm up a bit. We found a place in a bar in front of the Casino on the tables outside but near the stove, and we wrapped ourselves in the soft blankets left on the chairs for when customers like us got cold.

Resuming the visit, we moved away from the centre towards the ski slopes, which were still completely green in August, on the plain where Lake Kreuz could be found until the 19th century. On a small hill is Seekirchl, a small baroque church with a round dome and an octagonal floor, with white walls that stoof out among the meadow. Built in the seventeenth century, it is generally open to visitors but that day we could only enter through the door and peek through the railings.

The attraction on the opposite side of the road is quite different: the Olympic and Sports Centre, a structure that has both indoor and outdoor pools with heated water, saunas and slides. Of these in particular, one seems to flow under the hill to see it from outside. The sports centre also had a restaurante, a conference room and a cinema!

At this point we retraced our steps, making a brief stop on the benches in the circular square and continuing towards the parking lot, without giving up on visiting a few shops.

Despite being a place that will probably be at its best during the winter, those in the area will know that it is certainly worth a visit, even in August.

Guys! If the mountain is not for you or if you want more ideas regarding having the perfect Ferragosto, take a look at our article on how to prepare for the best holiday in summer!

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