Stubenberghaus

Stubenberghaus is a mountain hut and mountain inn (Berggasthof) situated at about 1,430 metres above sea level on the Schöckl, the local mountain of Graz in the Graz Highlands of Styria, Austria. It lies in the municipality of Sankt Radegund bei Graz and is owned and operated by the Graz Section of the Austrian Alpine Club (Österreichischer Alpenverein, ÖAV). The house is notable as the only heritage-protected alpine hut in Austria, having been placed under Denkmalschutz in 1990. The hut was built by the Steirischer Gebirgsverein (Styrian Mountain Club) between 1889 and 1890 to designs by Friedrich Sigmundt, and was ceremonially opened on 15 September 1890. It is named after Count Joseph zu Stubenberg, a patron of the project. The two-storey building with a hipped roof and a wood-shingled facade with carved beam ends is a classic example of alpine architecture. Over the decades it has been electrified (1930), extended with a south terrace (1936), enlarged (1971–74), and comprehensively restored under the supervision of the Federal Monuments Office, reopening on 9 June 2001. As a mountain inn, Stubenberghaus offers overnight accommodation in 14 rooms, a seminar room, and food and drink with a focus on regional alpine products. The current tenants, Carina and Wilfried Brauchart (C&W Brauchart), took over in April 2025 after a short pause and follow the "U-150" principle, sourcing products from within a maximum radius of 150 kilometres. The house is open in a summer season from May to September and a winter season from October to April, with specific rest days. It is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and pilgrims on the Styrian Mariazellerweg, and can be reached by several trails, the Schöckl cable car, or the Schöcklhöhenstraße (closed to general traffic since 1993).

The Stubenberghaus was built by the Steirischer Gebirgsverein (Styrian Mountain Club) according to plans by Friedrich Sigmundt (1856–1917) in the years 1889/90. It was ceremonially opened on 15 September 1890 in the presence of, among others, Ferdinand Portugall (1837–1901), Mayor of Graz, by the club chairman and Graz lawyer Julius Ritter von Plazer. The house is named after its patron Joseph (Felix Adolf) Count zu Stubenberg (1824–1896). The site was made possible by a land exchange with Count Stubenberg on 14 September 1890, on the south side of the summit, visible from Graz. The two-storey building with a hipped roof and a wood-shingled facade with carved beam ends is a prime example of alpine architecture. On 4 August 1901, a bust created by Hans Brandstetter (1854–1925) in honour of Julius von Plazer was unveiled in the Hotel Stubenberghaus. In 1930 the Stubenberghaus was electrified, and in 1936 the south terrace was created. During the period of the Ständestaat, the house was a meeting point of the NSDAP in Austria, which had been banned in 1933 by the vehemently anti-Hitler Dollfuß/Schuschnigg regime. The Steirischer Gebirgsverein joined the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuOeAV) in 1934. From this time there was postal censorship and house searches by the federal gendarmerie. After the "Anschluss" in 1938, the DuOeAV, now renamed Deutscher Alpenverein, was incorporated as the specialist association for mountaineering into the NSRL. The house could only be reopened after the Second World War by the Graz Section of the newly founded Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV). In 1971–74 the Stubenberghaus was extended. In 1990, exactly 100 years after its construction, the building was placed under monument protection. Under the supervision of the Federal Monuments Office, a general renovation was undertaken in 1999. An architectural competition was held, won by architect Karl-Heinz Winkler. The old block walls of the wooden house were preserved through restoration, the larch shingling of the facade was restored according to original patterns, and further terraces were added using local materials. On 9 June 2001 the house was reopened. The hut, used as a mountain inn at about 1,430 m above sea level, is operated by the Graz Section of the Austrian Alpine Club. It has a south and west terrace and several "Stuben" (parlours). A total of 14 rooms are available. The ascent to the Stubenberghaus can be made via several hiking trails, by mountain bike via the Schöcklhöhenstraße (a former toll road closed to general traffic since 1993), or by the Schöckl cable car. The house is also an important base for pilgrims on the Styrian Mariazellerweg. In April 2025, after a few months' pause, Carina and Wilfried Brauchart (C&W Brauchart) took over as new tenants. They are experienced restaurateurs who have worked in gastronomy and hospitality both domestically and abroad. The gastronomic concept follows the "U-150" principle: products come from within a maximum radius of 150 kilometres. On Sundays and public holidays there is a "Schöckl-Brunch". A six-day operation in summer with Tuesday as rest day and a five-day operation in winter with Monday and Tuesday as rest days are planned.

• 2025

  Carina and Wilfried Brauchart take over as new tenants in April.

• 2001

  Reopening on 9 June after renovation.

• 1999

  General renovation begins under supervision of the Federal Monuments Office; architectural competition won by Karl-Heinz Winkler.

• 1990

  Placed under monument protection, 100 years after construction.

• 1971

  Extension of the Stubenberghaus (1971–74).

• 1936

  Creation of the south terrace.

• 1930

  Electrification of the Stubenberghaus.

• 1901

  Bust of Julius von Plazer by Hans Brandstetter unveiled on 4 August.

• 1890

  Ceremonial opening on 15 September.

• 1889

  Construction of the Stubenberghaus begins according to plans by Friedrich Sigmundt.

Heritage-protected alpine mountain hut and inn offering regional cuisine and accommodation on the Schöckl, a popular recreation area near Graz.

• Overnight accommodation

  14 rooms available in the mountain inn.

• Alpine cuisine

  Food and drink with regional products under the U-150 principle.

• Seminar room

  A seminar room is available for events.

• Schöckl Brunch

  Brunch on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 12:00.

• Schöckl-Standl

  Outdoor stand from May to October in good weather, Friday to Sunday and holidays, 11:00 to 16:00.

1. 1Stubenberghaus official websitestubenberghaus.at
2. 2Die Geschichte des Stubenberghauses | Stubenberghausstubenberghaus.at
3. 3Über uns | Stubenberghausstubenberghaus.at
4. 4Jobs | Stubenberghausstubenberghaus.at
5. 5Stubenberghaus (Schutzhütte) – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
6. 6Stubenberghaus – Wikidatawikidata.org