Origins
Back then, you still had to shout.
Today, one call from the landing point is enough. In the past, people shouted across the water until someone came over by boat.
“A visit to the island in Lake Faak, which is the property of Prince Friedrich Liechtenstein, is unfortunately often made difficult because few boats are available to tourists on the lake. Strangers should therefore ask the farmer in Drobollach about the crossing to the island, or, on the northern shore close to the lake, call the island’s inhabitants in a loud voice; they will presently come across in a solidly built boat.”
Carl Ghon, chronicler of Villach, 1877
The Princes of Liechtenstein buy the lake and the island.
The farm on the wooded island becomes an inn. People come for the day.
Carl Ghon describes how one gets across. One shouts.
You can stay the night at the Hotel “Wilhelm Schwelle” — in “very well appointed guest rooms”. There is a bathing house and there are boats.
The Liechtenstein family sells the lake and island to Ludwig Wittgenstein — an uncle of the philosopher.
The Badehaus is built. It still stands, and is now a listed building.
The property passes to the Bucher and Catasta families. They also own Landskron Castle, fifteen kilometres away.
There is a telephone at the landing point in Faak am See. One call brings the hotel water taxi to collect guests, by day or by night.
What has not changed since 1877: every stay begins with the crossing. Four minutes of water create the peace and seclusion that make the island special.