Blog — Hirschen, fine hotel in the Bregenzerwald

Formerly an inn, tavern, and meeting place for locals, today a fine hotel, restaurant & spa. Young since 1755 - this year, the Hirschen celebrates its 270th anniversary. Hats off! Good reason to pay due respect to the long history.

A big thank you to everyone who has preserved and cared for this house through the many decades. And thank you for becoming a part of history with your visits to us...

But let's start from the very beginning:

1601

First documented mention as a tavern

1.10.1755 - Village fire

With the Hirschen, the church and 14 houses around the village square are also destroyed. Reconstruction in Alemannic peasant wooden architecture (also called Bauernbarock).

One of the founding fathers is Anton Metzler (1698 – 1757). He is a councilman, Hirschen innkeeper, and tradesman. Together with his son Georg (1738 – 1766), he rebuilds the Hirschen after the fire. Georg Metzler remains childless, so his brother, Josef Anton Metzler, takes over the Hirschen after his early death. His son, also named Josef Anton, born in 1753, will take on a special position in Schwarzenberg.

The view from the Hirschen onto the village square, almost unchanged for 270 years. View from the Risch-Lau collection, 1930

Honorable personalities

Josef Anton Metzler is born in the Hirschen in 1753 but leases it, as he was elected Landammann at the age of 33. He also trades in wood, cattle, wax, and cheese and runs a grocery store. Additionally, Metzler operates a muslin factory in Vienna with 120 employees. His business connections extend to Milan, Vienna, Bohemia, and Hungary. At that time, Josef Anton Metzler is the wealthiest Bregenzerwälder and the largest taxpayer in the region. Even Angelika Kauffmann, the "most significant painter of her time," co-founder of the Royal Gallery of Art in London and rooted in Schwarzenberg, appreciates his talent for handling money. She makes him her estate manager and maintains a lively correspondence.

The Metzler room - a reminiscence of the first Hirschen innkeeper Josef Anton Metzler

The great-great-great-grandfather of Peter and Pia Fetz, Franz Xaver Fetz, is also a Landammann and builds the neighboring inn Lamm in 1812 and just two years later the house No. 18, now where the Käslädele Vögel is located. His son, Josef-Anton Fetz (1834-1875), also holds a concession as a fur trader, in which capacity he travels to the world's largest fur fair in Nizhny Novgorod, 300 km east of Moscow. From there, he sources beaver fur for the traditional winter hat of the Bregenzerwälder women's costume, the "Bräma-Kappe." Such a journey usually takes six months or more.

Colored view from the collection of the Vorarlberg State Library, around 1910

1856 - Kings & Poets as guests in the Hirschen 

Around 1856, King Max II of Bavaria visits the Hirschen in Schwarzenberg with his entourage. This journey is described in the book "A King's Journey to Lake Constance." A year later, Eduard Mörike also stays at the Hirschen and spends his belated honeymoon here with his wife Margarethe Speth. Today, a hiking trail from Schwarzenberg to Hochälpele commemorates the distinguished visit.

1882 - Noblesse oblige

Another wedding takes place at the Hirschen at the end of the 19th century during the tenure of Josef Anton Fink (1848 – 1911), the great-grandfather of Peter and Pia Fetz. Under his leadership, the current Landammannsaal is built around 1882. At that time, the hotel also has a bathing establishment where steel baths are administered.

Arbor in the Hirschen garden (1914) postcard collection Vorarlberg State Library

In the interwar period, under the leadership of his daughter Anna Berlinger, the Hirschen inn becomes a popular destination for the textile barons from the Rhine Valley, who spend almost every weekend with Mrs. Berlinger.

The Fetz family in front of the Hirschen - Gertraud and Albert with Peter and Franz

Franz Fetz - Hirschen innkeeper and patron

Born under the baroque ceiling painting of room No. 7, he was and remains inseparably linked to the Hirschen. After his schooling and various internships abroad, including in Verbier (Switzerland) and Cannes (Southern France), Franz worked as Chef de Rang in Bermuda in 1968 and 1969.

Franz Fetz on the Empire State Building in New York 1969

With his MG in front of the Felsenkeller - the legendary disco at Bödele

From 1970 to 1975, Franz Fetz runs the Felsenkeller disco at Bödele, where he pursues his love for music. From 1970 to 1972, he also dedicates himself to training as a state-certified ski instructor and ski guide.

Franz Fetz with his mother and sister in the lavishly set Landammannsaal at "Dining like King Max of Bavaria"

The music salon Wälderness was founded in 2009 by Franz Fetz

In December 1975, the era of Franz Fetz begins - 30 beds were available in the house at that time, simple and aged. The structure of the house is beautiful, but the condition is very dilapidated. Thanks to his good contacts, Franz can soon attract a regular audience from the Rhine Valley, but it takes decades for the hotel business to run successfully.

With his sense of art and music, the patron gives the house its unmistakable style. His affinity for the fine arts was likely influenced by his uncle, the painter Franz Metzler. For five decades, Franz Fetz collects paintings and works of art that are still on display in the Hirschen today.

Demolition of the old bathing house - the new seminar center is being created here

1992 - Seminar center Wälderhaus is created

The Wälderhaus as a seminar center - built in the typical style of a Bregenzerwälder house - is being established. Here, 15 more rooms, 3 seminar rooms, a hotel lobby with reception, and a small wellness area will be accommodated. It has been awarded the title of Seminar Hotel of the Year three times in a row.

The Who's Who of business and politics graces the house: during the culinary festivals Vakanz 1995 and 1998 - initiated among others by artist Paul Renner, with chefs like Daniel Spoerri, Ferran Adriá, and Eckart Witzigmann - and the first country parties of the Schubertiade, Schwarzenberg gains international fame.

At the same time, the Hirschen becomes a popular wedding location with dozens of celebrations between May and October.

International chefs and artists as guests at the Vakanz in Schwarzenberg

2017 - the tenth generation takes over

Peter Fetz takes over the Hirschen from Franz in the 10th generation. Together with his sister Pia, he is making the Hirschen fit for the future step by step, developing new culinary concepts and elevating the restaurant to a 3-hat level in Gault Millau with chefs Jonathan and Raphaela Burger. 

The Franz-Josefs-Keller, which had previously been used for different purposes, becomes the fermentation cellar, and in the workshop in Hirschenau, artists repeatedly showcase their works.

Hosts in the 10th generation - Peter & Pia Fetz

2023/24 - a new era begins

The next phase of renovations is about to start, beginning with the rooms in the historic Gasthof Hirschen. In the former “Hirschenau,” the iconic bathing house is being created - an architectural jewel and reminiscence of the bathing establishment from 1882. Two relaxation rooms, professional treatments, two saunas, and a 15-meter pool will ensure relaxation in the new spa.

The bathing house - planned in 2024 in the iconic style by the NONA architects

In the Wälderhaus, the rooms will be turned into modern suites, and from the large seminar room will emerge the “the one and only” bathrobe bar. The training room for yoga and workout and next door the meeting room for meetings or home office will be created.

The rooftop loft in the attic of the Wälderhaus

2024

Raphaela Wirrer is named Pastry Chef of the Year.

2025

The culinary concept of the Hirschen is awarded multiple times. A Green Star in the Michelin Guide, 3 hats from Gault Millau (15.5 points). The Monocle, VOGUE, and renowned magazines report on us.

Stay tuned - we still have a few ideas up our sleeve…

PS: For those who want to delve deeper into the history: Franz Fetz documented his life story in a book for his 75th birthday. It is aptly titled "wow.wow.wow." and is available at the Hirschen.

PPS: Just before the handover from Franz Fetz to Peter, a documentary about the house was made. Watch it online.