Nationalpark Kristall Großglockner (Wilhelm-Swarovski-Beobachtungswarte)
Visitor centre of the Hohe Tauern National Park in a glass building on the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, with an exhibition on life above the tree line and telescopes for wildlife watching.
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About the museum
The glass building above the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, opposite the Großglockner, was built in 1998 with the support of the Swarovski family as the Wilhelm-Swarovski-Beobachtungswarte (observation post). Its shape is meant to represent a rock crystal. From the upper floor, powerful telescopes make it possible to observe above all ibex and marmots.
In summer 2026 the building was remodelled, reopened and renamed Nationalpark Kristall Großglockner. It is operated by the Hohe Tauern National Park administration of Carinthia. Since its reopening on 7 July 2026, the exhibition "Zwischen Fels und Himmel. Leben über der Waldgrenze" (Between Rock and Sky. Life above the Tree Line) shows how animals such as the ibex, chamois, marmot and rock ptarmigan have adapted to the high mountains.
The exhibition also tells how the idea of nature conservation developed around the Großglockner. Admission is free during the summer season, and the view of glaciers and high mountains is part of the visit.
Highlights
- Glass architecture in the shape of a rock crystal at around 2,400 m altitude
- Telescopes for observing ibex and marmots
- Exhibition "Zwischen Fels und Himmel" on life above the tree line
- View of the Großglockner and the Pasterze
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Zwischen Fels und Himmel. Leben über der Waldgrenze – Exhibition on the adaptation of the ibex, chamois, marmot and rock ptarmigan to the high mountains and on the history of nature conservation at the Großglockner.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Nationalparkverwaltung Hohe Tauern Kärnten
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission. The approach via the Großglockner High Alpine Road is subject to a toll.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe
By rail to Spittal an der Drau or Mallnitz-Obervellach, then by bus 5108 via Obervellach, Winklern and Heiligenblut to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (the section from Heiligenblut to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe runs in summer only). From Lienz take bus 942 to Winklern, then line 5108.
By car
Parking available
Car park and multi-storey car park directly at the visitor centre.
By car from the direction of Klagenfurt via the A10 to Spittal, the B100, the Mölltal and the B107 towards Heiligenblut; from the direction of Salzburg via the Großglockner High Alpine Road (May to October only, toll).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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