Franz-Eduard-Matras-Haus

The Franz-Eduard-Matras-Haus, commonly known as the Matrashaus, is a mountain hut (Schutzhütte) owned and operated by the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK), the Austrian Tourist Club. It sits directly on the summit of the Hochkönig at 2,941 metres above sea level, in the Berchtesgaden Alps of the Austrian state of Salzburg. This makes it one of the highest mountain huts in the Eastern Alps and a landmark of Austrian alpine hospitality. The hut offers food, drink and 70 sleeping places, and is a key base for hikers and climbers on the Hochkönig massif. Because all valley approaches are long and strenuous, the hut is supplied exclusively by helicopter, with roughly ten tonnes of material flown in each year. Drinking water is flown in by helicopter, and electricity and running water are generated on site. The Matrashaus is famous for its panoramic views over more than 200 three-thousand-metre peaks, stretching from the Totes Gebirge across the Großglockner to the Zugspitze, and for its sunrises and sunsets. The first shelter on the Hochkönig was built by miners in 1865. In March 1894 the Austrian Tourist Club obtained permission to build a refuge, the Kaiser-Jubiläums-Schutzhaus, which opened on 15 August 1898 at a cost of 17,900 florins and accommodated up to 25 people. After a dispute involving the heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the hut was saved from demolition by Franz Eduard Matras, and in 1932 it was renamed in his honour. The original building burned down completely on 4 May 1982; a temporary barracks was erected and a new building was inaugurated on 1 September 1985. Today the Matrashaus is a modern, if remote, alpine refuge. Reservations are made exclusively through the Hütten Holiday booking portal, and the hut maintains a public presence on Facebook and Instagram. It is a member of the network of ÖTK huts and a classic destination for mountaineers tackling the Hochkönig and the Königsjodler via ferrata.

The first shelter on the Hochkönig was built by miners in 1865. In March 1894, the Austrian Tourist Club (Österreichischer Touristenklub, ÖTK) obtained permission to construct a refuge on the summit. The building, named the Kaiser-Jubiläums-Schutzhaus, opened on 15 August 1898. It cost 17,900 florins and could accommodate up to 25 people. After the resignation of the official Joseph Szombathy, the heir to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, demanded that the house be demolished. Franz Eduard Matras saved the hut from demolition, and in 1932 the refuge on the Hochkönig was renamed in his honour as the Franz-Eduard-Matras-Haus. On 4 May 1982, the hut burned down completely. A temporary barracks was erected, and construction of a new building began quickly; the new hut was inaugurated on 1 September 1985. Because there are no technical transport means, about ten tonnes of supplies per year must be delivered by helicopter, with partial deliveries roughly every four weeks. Running water and electricity are generated on site. The hut remains owned and operated by the Austrian Tourist Club and is one of the highest refuges in the Eastern Alps.

• 1985

  New building inaugurated on 1 September.

• 1982

  Hut burns down completely on 4 May; temporary barracks erected.

• 1932

  Refuge renamed Franz-Eduard-Matras-Haus in honour of Franz Eduard Matras, who saved it from demolition.

• 1898

  Kaiser-Jubiläums-Schutzhaus opens on 15 August, costing 17,900 florins and accommodating up to 25 people.

• 1894

  Austrian Tourist Club obtains permission to build a refuge on the Hochkönig.

• 1865

  First shelter on the Hochkönig built by miners.

High-alpine mountain hut and summit refuge, one of the highest in the Eastern Alps, operated by the Austrian Tourist Club.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  70 sleeping places, open until the regular season end on 26 September.

• Alpine food and drink

  Food and drink service for hikers and climbers.

• Helicopter supply

  About 10 tonnes of supplies per year delivered by helicopter.

1. 1Matrashaus am Hochkönig in den österreichischen Alpen - eine Schutzhütte des ÖTK in den österreichischen Alpenmatrashaus.at
2. 2Franz-Eduard-Matras-Haus - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Franz-Eduard-Matras-Haus - Wikipedia (French)fr.wikipedia.org