"You can let your mind wander in Fresach," recommends the pastor of the protestant parish, Ralf Isensee. And he should know: He came from Saxony, saw and stayed. He was attracted by the street sign: "Lust am Leben". And he found it here. For him, it is the desire to think, to talk and listen, to be still - in a quiet place where visitors can come to their senses. Meditative, human, cosmopolitan.
History made Fresach a spiritual refuge. The people of Fresach remained protestant, while people all around were forced to become catholics: The small community was probably too remote. It even became the centre of the often secretly cultivated protestantism in Carinthia.
When Joseph II issued the Toleration Patent, the protestant community, which was then publicly authorised, erected a wooden house of prayer in Fresach. It burnt down after just three years (we can only guess why), but the people of Fresach were unwavering. In 1785, they built a new stone house of prayer, even with a forbidden apse, which remains unchanged to this day, simple and timeless, demanding respect and tolerance. With the pastor's house and the charnel house, shaded by broad trees, this square exudes a deep sense of peace. Nothing has changed since the ensemble was extended to include a timeless museum building designed by Marte. The Protestant Diocesan Museum is housed inside.
A deep insight into the history of protestantism, a visit to the village shop or the inn are just a few steps apart in Fresach. Hikers coming from a tour on the Mirnock or travelling along the "Weg des Buches" quickly discover this. Families like to hike along the Crab Hiking Mile or visit the Stanamoor with a subsequent stop at the Buschenschenke. The Fresach leisure park is a fast-paced place. Go-karting, motocross, paintball and action-packed events provide plenty of variety in this tranquil community.
When Franz Klammer won Olympic gold in Innsbruck in 1976, the whole of Fresach sat in front of the television in the village pub and cheered on the probably most famous man from Fresach. He learnt to ski on the mountain meadows in Mooswald, where he grew up on a farm. He perfected his turns in the nearby Bad Kleinkirchheim ski resort. Skiing is still very popular with winter holidaymakers in Fresach today. Things get really cosy in Fresach on a winter hike and a toboggan ride with a stop at a mountain hut.
Fresach is a recognised climatic health resort. The village centre lies 710 metres above sea level. Thanks to its location on the south side of the Alps, Fresach spoils its visitors with above-average hours of sunshine.
