The Karawankenhof

When the pride of the Rosental Valley went up in flames

The Karawankenhof in Unterbergen was not only popular with holidaymakers, but was also a picture postcard motif.(Bild: AAvK/TAÖ)

The Karawankenhof in Unterbergen was considered the showpiece of the Rosental valley. But the history of the venerable building was to be short-lived. After just 50 years, the architectural jewel was destroyed down to its foundations during a fire inferno.

Nestled in the Karawanken mountains, the venerable building towered over the Rosental valley for around 50 years. During this time, the Karawankenhof went through an eventful history. In 1907, it was Hans Oblasser, owner of the Unterbergner brewery, who had the hotel built according to the plans of architect Franz Pichler. "This showpiece got off to a good start," says Rainer Adamik, Ferlach's town historian. The building, constructed in the style of the Lower Rhine, was modern by the standards of the time. Oblasser attracted guests with electric light, a library, tennis court and terrace with a magnificent view.

First arson attack and end of hotel operations
However, just one year after the Alpenhotel opened, some paneling temporarily stored on the veranda of the building was set on fire. As it turned out a short time later, it was Slovenians who wanted to torch the business.

Until the First World War, business and hotel operations were excellent for Hans Oblasser and his Karawankenhof. "After the war, the hotel was bought by a woman from Klagenfurt. But operations soon ceased," says Adamik in an interview with the Krone. The venerable building stood empty for several years.

It was not until the Second World War that the Karawankenhof was given a special role again. The National Socialists converted the hotel into a mother's home. "Many people from Ferlach were born there back then," explains Adamik: "Later, the Karawankenhof was a military hospital."

New plans and the great fire inferno
And after the Second World War and the occupation by the British, the Republic of Austria finally bought the striking building and wanted to set up a gendarmerie school there. However, this was to be the end of the Karawankenhof. The wooden bar building caught fire during firefighting work in 1959. "Within a few minutes, the building was fully engulfed in flames," explains Adamik. Despite all the efforts of the fire department, the Rosental landmark could no longer be saved and burned to the ground.