Municipalities in the nature park Almenland

Area: 8,020 ha
Population: 4,320

History: The first documented mention dates back to 1230. Passail was under the rule of the Stubenberg family for a long time. The original name was "Po Selo" and means "rear settlement". A document from 1328 names 37 citizens. The districts of Hohenau an der Raab, Arzberg and Neudorf have been part of Passail since 1 January 2015.

Geography: The municipality of Passail lies in the Passailer Kessel, nestled between the Schöckl summit and the Sommeralm. The source of the Raab lies at the foot of the Osser. The Raab is the main river in the municipality and forms the "Große Raabklamm" from Arzberg onwards.

Economy: The market town of Passail is not only the most populous municipality, but also the economic and local supply center in the nature park Almenland.

Area: 8,605 ha
Population: 2,365

History: The first human traces date back to around 50,000 years ago in the Drachenhöhle cave near Mixnitz. In 1103, "Gerhoch de Trevesse" (Traföß) was first mentioned in a document as the oldest owner of the Pernegg area. In 1130 the parish church in Kirchdorf, the Maximiliankirche, is mentioned in a document, and in 1439 the first small church in Pernegg was built.

Geography: The municipality of Pernegg is located directly on the River Mur, 10 km south of Bruck an der Mur and 40 km north of Graz. Pernegg is part of the Mur Cycle Path R2 and the Drachentour mountain bike route, making
a mecca for cyclists. Thanks to the Pernegg and Mixnitz railroad stations on the Südbahn line, the municipality of Pernegg is the gateway to Almenland.

Economy: Pernegg has a vibrant economy with many commercial and industrial enterprises, as well as the hydroelectric power plant of the Autstrian Hydro Power AG association, including a display turbine.

Area: 6,249 ha
Population: 2,100

History: Agricultural settlement is thought to have taken place around 1,000 years ago. A knight Pernegerus von Praitenove (= Breitenau) was first mentioned in a document in 1147. However, the valley only gained greater significance through mining. Around 1400, arsenic and silver were mined at Straßegg, and around 1900 magnesite mining began, which is still of great economic importance today.

Geography: Breitenau is located approx. 22 km south of the district capital Bruck/Mur at 650 m above sea level and borders the districts of Weiz and Mürzzuschlag. Breitenau's local mountain is the Hochlantsch, at 1,722 m the highest elevation in the nature park Almenland.

Economy: Magnesite has been mined in open-cast mining since 1906, the first tunnels were driven around 1940 and deep mining began around 10 years later. Magnesite mining is still the largest economic sector in Breitenau today, with the two companies RHI and MAGNEFIN.

Area: 3,388 ha
Population: 892

History: The first settlers and namesakes of the valley were the Slavs, "Gassen" was first mentioned in a document in 1406. The first church, dedicated to St. Oswald and St. Barbara, was built in the 13th century. In the heyday of mining, from the 16th to the 18th century, gold, arsenic, silver and magnetic ironstone were mined in the municipality. Several scythe forges along the Gasenbach stream were in operation until the end of the 19th century. Today, Gasen is a typical mountain farming village with extremely steep slopes.

Geography: Gasen lies on the border of the district of Weiz and borders on the district of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag. Gasen consists of the districts of Gasen, Sonnleitberg, Mitterbach and Amassegg and lies between the municipalities of Breitenau and Birkfeld.

Economy: Gasen is mainly used for agriculture and forestry, the municipality is considered the steepest mountain farming village in Styria. The largest business is the steel construction company Willingshofer GmbH.

Area: 4,024 ha
Population: 1,073

History: The village was first mentioned in 1295 as "apud sanctam Katherinam" and was called "St. Kathrein in der Weiz" until 1349. In the 13th century, a settlement gradually developed in what is now the municipality of St. Kathrein, which was given a church in 1295. St. Kathrein has been a separate municipality since 1850.

Geography: The municipality stretches from the Brandlucken in the north to the Zetz in the east and the Weizklamm in the south. In the west, the municipality borders on the Passailer Becken. At 1,531 m, the Plankogel on the Sommeralm is the highest elevation.

Economy: The two main focuses in St. Kathrein are agriculture and tourism. With over 20 businesses and around 300 guest beds, St. Kathrein am Offenegg is now the second largest tourist community in the nature park Almenland.

Area: 2,758 ha
Population: 659

History: Naintsch was first mentioned in 1364 as "Nuentsch". However, the Romans probably also used a path through the Naintschgraben via Heilbrunn and the Sommeralm in the direction of Passail. Naintsch has been a district of Anger since January 1, 2015.

Geography: Naintsch lies between the Apfelland and the Sommeralm area and stretches from Anger up to Brandlucken. There is no village center with the name Naintsch, the districts are called Heilbrunn, Brandlucken and Steg.

Economy: The economy is characterized by agriculture, the two quarries and the gastronomy on the Brandlucken and in Heilbrunn.