A Curious Contest

Bad Aussee not the center of Austria after all?

Bad Aussee captivates many tourists throughout the year.(Bild: Christoph Hartner)

More precise methods for measuring the center of Austria have unexpectedly sparked a rivalry between two municipalities in Styria: While Bad Aussee has even had the title protected by trademark law for decades, Stainach-Pürgg is openly considering an open contest along with a new tourism concept—a delicate showdown.

Since the mid-20th century, Bad Aussee has proudly called itself the center of Austria. The official mail is printed with the title, and at the said spot stands a marble stone with a symbolic bronze navel. “Tourists come to us and have their picture taken in front of the statue in the spa park,” says Mayor Franz Frosch (ÖVP).