"Mariazell" a Mariazell Travel Page by phil_uk_net

How did I end up here? I met an Austrian business consultant in Thailand who was helping to set up a small company in Mariazell. He was recruiting and one of the positions was quite appropriate for my skillset. I was looking for some work so we agreed mutually that I would make a 2 week visit to explore the job.

Mariazell is a very small, tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone else and there are no secrets. I am used to living in, or near, large cities and found the lack of people a real problem to cope with. Restaurants close at around 8:30pm and the streets are empty. The surrounding area is mountainous and very pretty. I visited in winter when everything was covered with snow. However, long term I think I would get bored out of my head living here.

The countryside around Mariazell is stunningly pretty and the winter snow adds a certain charm.

The Roman Catholic Basilica in Mariazell is famous throughout Austria and beyond as a destination for pilgrims. It was covered up for maintenance unfortunately when I was there.