Property Description
No58 was built as the local doctor’s house in 1958. It stayed in the family as a much loved holiday home until 2015 when I fell in love with both the house and the area and snapped it up! It’s a big, spacious house, with four generous bedrooms, two ensuite and a large family bathroom ( the bathrooms were installed in Spring 2017) . Down stairs there is a large sitting room with double doors through to the dining room, which, in turn, leads on to the balcony. Masses of flexible space for family and friends to mix and mingle. The kitchen is well equipped to cater for 7 but you should not expect a modern appearance. It has an electric hob and oven, a large modern fridge, microwave, kettle, coffee machine, toaster and everything you’ll need to keep everybody well fed! Throughout, the floors are parquet and the furnishing is aimed at comfort and relaxation; a mix of fresh new IKEA and original cupboards etc.
Outside there is a parking area for up to 6 cars with two garages and a big garden, mostly laid to grass with mature trees. There is a summer house which children seem to enjoy using as their ‘fire station’ or ‘castle’ or ‘shop’. In the basement, there is a sauna – part of the original furnishings, but it works well! There is also a drying room for wet/dirty skiing or walking gear.
The house is heated by an oil fired boiler in the basement, which also creates plenty of hot water (on a circulation pump, so you never have to shiver on the shower waiting for it to come through). Each room has a very efficient radiator and the house is so well insulated, you are very unlikely to ever feel cold. In the sitting room, Brunhilde (an Austrian wood burning stove – so ugly she is quite beautiful!) provides a warm focus.
So, in detail:
Sitting Room:
two armchairs, two sofas, various footstools and coffee tables, Brunehilde, parquet flooring, books, games and some toys. Wifi comes into the house here. Two standard lamps. Double aspect – windows to front with view over Gailtal and to West, (garden), getting the evening sun.
Dining Room:
sofa, large dining table, 8 chairs, desk. Parquet flooring. Information folder giving you details of what you will find within the house, in Hermagor, and further afield. I hope you will add your recommendations. Wall map for planning walks. Double aspect. French windows to main balcony (view of Hermagor and Gailtal) and to side (Drobolach – huge mountain near Villach).
Balcony:
Approx 3 x 5 metres. Sun awning, wooden bench, two sun loungers. Steps to garden
Kitchen:
electric oven, induction hob, large new fridge, microwave, kettle, coffee machine (Nespresso), vacuum cleaner, sink, drainer, dishwasher. Flooring linoleum. Cutlery, crockery, pots and pans. Basic kitchen essentials- salt and pepper, washing up liquid, cloths. Window overlooks garden to East.
Downstairs loo.
Loo and basin
Downstairs bedroom:
wall of cupboards and wardrobes. Single bed, table, bedside lamp, chair. Window looks out over Spitzegel (mountain).
Basement:
sauna, Drying room, boiler, two garages, logs for Brunhilde
Master bedroom:
zip link Super king bed (or two twins). Arm chair, bedside tables and lamps, mirror. Wall of wardrobes. Window and door on to wooden balcony overlooking Gailtal. Parquet flooring with large rug. En suite: shower, basin, cabinet with shaving socket, loo, heated towel rail. Underfloor heating. Velux window.
Bedroom Two:
Zip link super king bed (or two twins). Easy chair, full length mirror, bedside shelf unit, bedside lamps, rug. View to the East. Clothes storage. Basin. Parquet flooring with rug.
Family bathroom:
shower cubicle, loo, large bath with spray attachment, basin, cabinet with shaving socket. Heated towel rail, Underfloor heating. View to west through high window.
Bedroom Three:
Zip link super king bed (or two twins). Armchair, bedside tables and lamps, full length mirror. Wall of cupboards and wardrobes. View to Spitzegel. Parquet flooring with rugs. Please note wifi does not reach this room. En suite: small but perfectly formed! Shower cubicle, basin, cabinet with shaving socket, loo. Wall heater.
Linen:
All linen is provided (sheets, duvets, pillows, duvet and pillow covers, hand towels, bath/shower mats, tea towels)
Please note that No 58 is built on a hill and there is a flight of granite steps up to the front door and so may well not be suitable for those with limited mobility.
The house is sited in Hermagor town, set back about 150 metres from the road towards Wiesbriach. As the house is in the town, you will hear some traffic noise and the odd church bell, but essentially it is a quiet, peaceful location, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and amazing views. It faces South and is light and airy.
The population of Hermagor (602 metres above sea level) is 7000. However as it is the administrative capital of the area and caters for the many picturesque outlying hamlets and villages, the facilities are much greater than you might expect. There are 4 large supermarkets, many restaurants, a Rathous (information centre), a train station, interesting shops, tempting patisseries, cycle hire shops, outdoor wear shops, several banks ( and ATMs), a post office, gift shops, and is a very attractive environment in which to holiday. However, it is a sleepy little town and if you are looking for late night bars and clubs, it is not going to deliver! That said, the locals are keen to include culture in their Calendar and there are many local markets and celebrations to mark important dates. You will often see dirndle, leder-hosen and bands playing Austrian music.
The local tourist office is keen to identify Hermagor as a 2 season base: in the warmer months, you can enjoy miles and miles of well signposted walking and cycling trails and in the Winter it is an excellent place for both skiing and ice skating.
I use No58 principally as a place from which to walk. From tarmac-ed paths along the Gail valley to adventurous forestry trails and paths up the hills, there is almost no limit to your options. The information folder in the house gives details of some walks, but the yellow signposts are also a very reliable guide, giving the destination and often the time you should allow. Two particular joys are – firstly the Alms (cafes, often selling local cheese) on the Alpine meadows which provide a real treat at the top of a hill and, secondly, the ski lifts. Many of these continue to run in the summer and can give you a smooth ride to the top where you will find flatter areas to walk or cycle.
Hermagor is next to Presegersee (lake) and is a favourite place for ‘wild’ swimming. With crystal clear (drinking quality) water, no chlorine and the most extraordinary mountain backdrop, it’s hard to beat! Weisensee is 20 kilometres away (much less as the crow flies – just beyond the mountains behind No58!) and is also very popular.
The skiing season runs roughly from Christmas through to Easter and the best place for skiing is at Nassfeld. THe Doctor’s House, 58 Haupstrasse is 9 k from Nassfeld and there is a regular shuttle bus which runs from near the house. There is also plenty of parking if you prefer to drive. Nassfeld is in the happy position of being relatively ‘undiscovered’ meaning that it’s 110 kilometres of pistes, 25 restaraunts and 30 lifts are uncrowded and quite reasonably priced. There has been a lot of investment in the resort and if nature should not deliver enough snow, the snow guns definitely will!
