Railway Station of Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm, AUSTRIA

Located in the heart of Styria in southern Austria, the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station is a testament to 19th-century innovation in railway engineering. Designed by the German architect Moritz Löhr, it formed a vital link on the Southern Railway route, connecting Vienna via Graz to the Adriatic port city of Trieste. This route is an extension of the Semmering Railway and connects it to the City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg, both of which are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is celebrated for its pioneering engineering and seamless integration with the breathtaking Alpine landscape.

Railway Station of Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm, AUSTRIA
As soon as it was built in 1844, the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station became a popular destination for Alpine tourism, with the spectacular caves and waterfalls nearby, making it an ideal excursion destination to discover the magic of the Alps, which was praised by travel books. Easy access by train and the appeal of its varied natural landscape were its main assets. The station’s building has great architectural and cultural value. It not only has an impact locally, but also contributes to the interest and quality of the historic Southern Railway route. The station is still in use, serving both local commuters and tourists exploring the Semmering Railway’s scenic routes.

However, the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station, which is under the ownership of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), faces serious challenges. Even though the station’s building shows visible signs of deterioration, it is still well-preserved. The main threat to the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station is a planned diversion of the route, as part of a comprehensive construction project associated with the Koralm Railway, which requires track expansion. This expansion would require the demolition of the station to meet prescribed safety distances, disregarding cultural and social aspects. The station is planned to be demolished and replaced by new waiting sheds for purely technical and economic reasons. It is remarkable that around 1,000 people signed a petition for the preservation of the railway station.

Railway Station of Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm, AUSTRIA
Restoration efforts have been made in recent years, such as partial repairs to the façade and surrounding landscape, but these have been insufficient. The restoration work has been restricted by financial constraints and has not addressed the full scope of the building’s needs.

Local organisations, such as Initiative Denkmalschutz and the Österreichischer Alpenverein / Sektion Mixnitz, alongside Europa Nostra Austria, have come together to champion the preservation and adaptive reuse of the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station. Their goal is to raise awareness of, secure funding for, and revitalise this cultural landmark. By doing so, they aim to support heritage of European significance, but also the surrounding communities that rely on it for tourism, transport and the local economy.

The nomination of the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station to the 7 Most Endangered Programme 2025 was by Europa Nostra Austria.

Railway Station of Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm, AUSTRIA
The Advisory Panel of the 7 Most Endangered Programme highlighted the station’s significance: “The historic Austrian Southern Railway is an outstanding example of 19th century engineering and a symbol of Europe’s pioneering transport infrastructure. Connecting Vienna to Trieste, the line – developed under the direction of Carl von Ghega between 1842 and 1857 – has left an indelible mark on European history. The Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station, located 50 km south of the UNESCO-inscribed Semmering Railway, is a vital part of this heritage, serving both historic freight routes and tourism.”

Restoring the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Railway Station is about more than preserving a building – it’s about safeguarding a piece of European heritage, which embodies 19th-century engineering ingenuity and regional pride, and fosters sustainable tourism development.