The community of Anthering lies in the northern part of the Salzburg Basin, on the fringes of the hill country between the Haunsberg and the Hochgitzen. To the west of town, surrounded by an expansive area of riverlands, is the Salzach River, forming the border between Austria and Germany. The town is set at an elevation of 422 m above sea level and encompasses some 2530 hectares. 3200 people currently call Anthering their home.
History of our Town
Founded in the 6th century
Founded in the 6th century, at a time when the Baiuoarii tribes were settling the region. The village elder, "Antari", settles here with his tribe, and thus begins the tale of the village of "Anthering". Place names ending in "-ing" signify the first Baiuoarii settlements and correspond to islands of settlement from late Roman times in the Salzach - Saalach - Sur area.
Roman finds in Anthering show that this area was settled as far back as the Roman Period - ca. 14 BC until 500 AD Roman villas stood in Schmieding (Gollacken) and in Schönberg. Prior to development of road and rail, the Salzach River represented an important transit route, above all for the transportation of salt. Yet, for the self-sufficient Anthering farmers, today's border river was of little significance. Anthering's riverlands were rich in fish and game, serving in part as both Cameral forests and a hunting diversion for the Archbishop.
The Hausberg Maunzteufel
Anthering Legends and Myths
In the year 1532, a strange beast was sighted by the locals on the slopes of Anthering's Haunsberg, in the spot referred to as the "Maunzgraben". People avoided coming close to this almost human-like creature, digging out a great pit in which they caught the "animal". It had hoofed feet, a lion's tail, a horse's mane, yet the face of a human. The picture of this odd figure was completed by a full beard and the comb of a rooster. It had more of the devil about it, which is why they named it the "Maunzteufel" ("Maunz Devil"). Since the creature rejected all attempts to feed it and was very afraid of man, it soon perished. A stone carving depicting the Maunzteufel, located in the center of town for all to see, supposedly serves as evidence that this "animal" did, indeed, exist.