Municipalites 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 Stubenbergs for a long time. The original name was "Po Selo" and means "rear settlement". A document from 1328 names 37 citizens. Since 1 January 2015, the districts of Hohenau an der Raab, Arzberg and Neudorf have belonged to Passail.

Geography: The municipality of Passail lies in the Passailer Kessel, embedded between the Schöckl peak and the Sommeralm. The source of the Raab lies at the foot of the Osser. The Raab is the main river of the municipality and forms the "Great Raab Gorge" from Arzberg onwards.

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

Area: 8,605 ha
Population: 2,414

History: The first human traces were found in the dragon cave near Mixnitz about 50,000 years ago. 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 of Our Lady was built in Pernegg.

Geography: The municipality of Pernegg lies directly on the 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 mountain bike route Drachentour and is therefore a mecca for cyclists.
a Mecca for cyclists. The railway stations Pernegg and Mixnitz on the southern railway line make Pernegg the gateway to the 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 show turbine.

Area: 6,249 ha
Population: 2,100

History: Agricultural settlement probably took place about 1,000 years ago. In 1147 a knight Pernegerus von Praitenove (= Breitenau) is mentioned for the first time in a document. However, the valley only gained greater importance through mining. Around 1400 arsenic and silver were mined on the Straßegg, and around 1900 magnesite mining began, which is still of great economic importance today.

Geography: Breitenau lies about 22 km south of the district capital Bruck/Mur at an altitude of 650 m above sea level and borders on the districts of Weiz and Mürzzuschlag. Breitenau's local mountain is the Hochlantsch, at 1,722 m the highest elevation in the Almenland Nature Park.

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

Area: 3,388 ha
Population: 916

History: The Slavs were the first settlers and gave the valley its name. "Gassen" was first mentioned in a document in 1406. In the 13th century the first church was built, dedicated to St. Oswald and St. Barbara. In the heyday of mining, from the 16th to the 18th century, gold, arsenic, silver and magnetic ironstone were mined in the village. A few 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 district border 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: In Gasen there is mainly 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: 1,130

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 the present-day area of St. Kathrein, which received a church in 1295. Since 1850 St. Kathrein has been a municipality in its own right.

Geography: The municipal area 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 Passail Basin. At 1,531 m, the Plankogel on the Sommeralm is the highest elevation.

Economy: The two focal points in St. Kathrein are agriculture and tourism. With over 20 businesses and about 300 guest beds, St. Kathrein am Offenegg is today the second largest tourist community in the Almenland Nature Park.

Area: 2,758 ha
Population: 659

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

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

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