The origin of the Empress Elisabeth Spital: A historical review

The origin of the Empress Elisabeth Spital: A historical review

Bad Ischl, Österreich - Bad Ischl experienced a special occasion on June 17, 2025: the opening of a Historical exhibition , which illuminates the establishment of Empress Elisabeth Spitals. This hospital, now known as the Salzkammergut Clinic Bad Ischl, has an eventful story that goes back to the early years of the 20th century.

The building started with an application by the then mayor Georg Gschwandtner in 1898. The aim was to improve medical care for the residents and to avoid long distances in the medical profession, especially during the popular summer freshness. The old Brenner Hospital no longer met the requirements of time and the plans for a new building initially met with resistance. What is certain is that the commitment of 122 private donors, which performed a total of around 130,000 crowns, contributed decisively to implement it. The largest individual donation of 30,000 crowns came from the baroness Lily Schey, who wanted to push the start of construction.

a place with imperial history

Bad Ischl is not only remarkable as a location of the hospital, but also as one of the most important courtyard of the Salzkammergut. The city has a close link with the legendary Empress Elisabeth, better known as Sisi. [speyer-info.de] (https://speyer-info.de/home/freizeit/239- ReisetiTip-bad-ischl-und-kaiserin-elisabeth-sisi.html) describes that Sisi stayed in Bad Ischl for the first time in 1853. Here she experienced a time full of relaxation and romance with Emperor Franz Joseph. The two spent many summer in the city and enjoyed the surrounding nature.)

The city is characterized by historical flair and numerous sights such as the Kaiservilla, the Lehar Villa and the Marble Schlössl. These places testify to a time when the imperial family and wealthy citizens come to the summer freshness to enjoy the healing air and the mineral -containing brine baths.

The development of the hospital

The official opening of the Empress Elisabeth Spital took place in May 1910 after a construction period of 21 months. The new hospital had 84 beds and could be expanded if necessary. Georg Stögner, a commercial director at the LKH, emphasizes that the traditional history of the hospital in the Salzkammergut dates back to the 16th century when a hospital for sick mountain shortages and salt workers were built. These roots reaffirm the importance of medical care in this region.

over time, the clinic found out numerous conversions and extensions. The largest redesign began in 2009 as part of a master plan with investments of 23.5 million euros. With 545 jobs, the LKH Bad Ischl is the largest employer in the inner Salzkammergut, which further underlines its central role in the region.

The new exhibition in the garden of the clinic shows with 17 man -sized glass steles interesting content about the history of the hospital was founded. It is accessible to interested parties during the day. This event is not only a tribute to the past, but also a sign of the importance of the hospital for the community and the medical care of the population in Bad Ischl and the surrounding area.