The miller's fox

A so-called "earth sign", a 25 by 30 metre fox's head made from an original Pinzgau fence, is the starting point for a journey into the world of Pinzgau legends and myths in Saalfelden Leogang. The landscape culture project tells the story of the "Müllerfuchs vom Gerstboden". Built in 2009 at the original location of the story, the installation is now directly accessible via a hiking trail following a complete restoration. It is intended to give visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history and tradition of the region.

Anyone out and about in the mountains in Saalfelden Leogang should be prepared for an encounter with a fox - if not in its original size, then in the form of a 25 x 30 metre fox head. "The miller's fox from Gerstboden" is the name of a traditional legend that forms the basis for this landscape and cultural project. In 2009, local architect Ulrich Stöckl erected a fox's head on the original site of the legend, built from traditional Pinzgau "Giaschdn" fencing. The installation was recently completely restored. Now the "Müllerfuchs" can also be reached directly via a hiking trail. The "earth sign" is visible from various points in the village and from the road. Fully illuminated at night, it also tells of the Pinzgau legend in which the soul of a blasphemous miller in the form of a fox was up to mischief and only came to rest through a pilgrimage by the widow.

Tradition and history away from "Hüttengaudi, Kaiserschmarrn and Jagatee"

The idea for the project is no coincidence: "Fairy tales and legends were part of my childhood. Back then, I was particularly fond of local legends because I knew the locations and could identify with the stories," says initiator and builder Ulrich Stöckl. He regrets that regional traditions are being pushed further and further into the background and sees the "Müllerfuchs" as an impetus to shake up this fact. "The land art project should catch the eye, encourage people to engage with our homeland, inspire the imagination, take us into the world of myths and legends, connect us with our history and tradition, allow us to be children, (re)discover a piece of our identity and, last but not least, promote communication," says the architect, who is particularly keen to introduce children to the world of local legends and myths. But the "earth sign" should also appeal to guests: "How much of our homeland do we show guests and how authentically do we present ourselves? Are we hut fun? We are Kaiserschmarrn and Jagatee?" asks Stöckl critically.

The "miller's fox" as the second earth sign in Pinzgau

The "Müllerfuchs" is the second of its kind in Pinzgau. In 2008, an earth sign in the form of a footprint was built in the Stubach Valley above the Wiedrechtshauser farmer based on the legend of "The Wild Women of the Stubach Valley".

More information about the new hiking trail and the legend can be found here: https://www.saalfelden-leogang.com/en/tour/mullerfuchs-runde_24481240