A whole village pitches in
Two years ago, the project “Bergdorf 2025 – Gargellner Fenster” was launched in Gargellen, the smallest and highest village in the Montafon. Many people are already familiar with the Gargellner Fenster as a geological feature in the local primary rock massif. As part of the project, they are also being given a broader significance. As windows offering views, insights into the past, or points of reference, they symbolize the milestones and distinctive features that have shaped Gargellen and its residents to this day.
The Gargellner Way
Gargellen has just under 100 residents. There is a strong sense of community—with the village, the natural surroundings, and the people who live here. Everything that is done is done the “Gargellen way.” For example, a beautifully designed circular hiking trail through forests and mountain meadows on the Gargellen Maisäß Plateau was built entirely by hand by the residents of Gargellen during four community workdays.
The Gargellen Community
Young and old worked side by side to clear paths, set up benches, cut down trees, create viewing areas, and provide meals for the volunteers. Every stone, every root, every bench, and every information sign was carefully inspected by the residents of Gargell.
Opening in early summer 2020
In the spring of 2020, the fifth and, for now, final community project will be completed. Those who set out on this journey will not only witness an exciting journey through time, but will also feel the passion of the people of Gargellen as they build the trail.
Voices from the Community
These selected statements from Gargelln residents, friends, helpers, and observers demonstrate just how emotionally impactful and community-building the project has proven to be:
Voices from Gargellen
“Mountain Village 2025. An entire village is pitching in. I am thrilled not only to see this commitment from the villagers, but also to truly feel it—in that unmistakable ‘Gargellner way.’ It’s a wonderful example of how, even today, a close-knit village community can move mountains.”
Roland
“For me, our project is something truly special. Simply because it’s different.
Sustainable, close to nature, honest, human.
I think it’s great that it has brought the village and its friends closer together, across generations. We learn together, from each other, and about each other.
The best part is simply walking the path—or even just parts of it—spontaneously and knowing, hey, I’m a part of this; we were part of this.
I’m really looking forward to the opening. I have great faith in us and our project, our village, and our sense of community. Hopefully it stays this way, and this was just the beginning of something really big.”
Amélie & Christian
“I sat on the bench—I know just how much sweat it took to build—and I was happy!”
Community-Friends-Happiness-Gargellen
Axel
“The people of Gargelln have completely and permanently changed my understanding of community and solidarity. I consider it a great privilege to be part of this unique project and look forward to many more heartfelt moments in this wonderful little mountain village full of amazing people.”
Daniel Nikolaus
“The Bergdorf 2025 project has achieved something that is very rare in today’s fast-paced world. An entire village has come together across generations and contributed countless hours of volunteer work to give their town a new focus on tourism. It is particularly heartening that the result will not only be a new identity for the town, but also a new sense of community in Gargellen. I look forward to the completion of the circular hiking trail in spring 2020 and the exciting path that lies ahead for Gargellen. As a municipality, we will continue to support this initiative to the best of our ability.”
Mayor Josef Lechthaler
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join in this time—I’ve been to the new benches at Rongg and Röbi, and, for the first time in ages, to Juliusruhe. The view from Juliusruhe down into the village is especially sooo beautiful—my favorite. And hanging out together with such lovely people is just great. I’m already looking forward to the next event. If the guests feel even remotely the way I do, that’s something really special.”
Monika
“I’ve personally learned what a ‘Haua’ is. And my dad showed me and my daughter how to properly maintain a trail with one. Ever since then, I’ve had the utmost respect for every trail maintenance worker.”
Andrea
“The beauty of this community project was, as the name suggests, that we—young, old, and young at heart—worked together to create something wonderful. No matter what your role was—...cutting down trees, hauling stones from A to B, setting up benches and steles, widening paths, building stairs, and so on and so forth...—every one of us was so enthusiastic about it. When you walk along the Gargellner Fensterweg, you can see just how much heart and soul each of us put into it.”
I can proudly say, “I was there!”
Monika
“The Gargellner Fenster project brings an entire village together to create a wonderful, authentic signature product. Everyone pitches in and contributes according to their abilities. This is unique to the Montafon.”
Manuel Bitschnau
Managing Director, Montafon Tourism
“It was nice to tell some of the younger residents stories about old Gargellen while we were working—stories that many of them had never heard before—and to see their surprised expressions. It was also a great pleasure for me to curate the content and texts for the project and to pitch in and help out.”
Friedrich
“The sense of community we share while working in nature is what defines our project and our village—no matter the weather or the task at hand. Many beautiful places have been created with a love for detail, the surroundings, nature, and one another.
The older generation has taught the younger generation how to do work that the younger generation has never done before. And the younger generation has taught the older generation the latest techniques. Sharing this with our guests is wonderful, because the guests can sense that it’s ‘authentic.’”
Nicole
“I was part of the trail group for the last two community projects, and that’s where I learned how to build a proper trail. What I love about this project is that so many people always participate, and that’s helped us become a really close-knit group. We’ve accomplished a lot in such a short time. I also enjoyed showing the guests what we’ve done and explaining it to them.”
In the morning
“I really love the new sense of community that has developed through working together. Everyone—young and old alike—had the chance to work with one another. My task was to build a new path and a staircase with my group. The ‘Gargellner Fenster’ project has made a big difference not only to the natural environment but also to the local residents. We got to know people in a different way, and new friendships were formed. I’m definitely looking forward to the next project.”
Johanna
“Young and old,
fat and thin,
strong and weak,
hot and cold,
sun and rain,
uphill and downhill,
views were created,
moments were experienced,
sore muscles were felt,
community was lived,
Gargellen even more beautiful,
our community,
our Gargellen.”
Kerstin
“It brought us all even closer together, young and old. We now almost exclusively hike on ‘our’ trail, and at every turn we remember the ‘responsible’ trail builders and share stories. After such a day’s work, we were all tired and content as we wrapped up the day in our usual cozy way—even the catering crew!”
Elfi
“It is a great joy for us to be part of this community. Gargellen has always been an important and very positive part of our lives. We associate this special village in the mountains with a source of relaxation, recharging our batteries, and letting our minds wander, meeting friends, and simply feeling at home. We don’t want to miss the chance to help make Gargellen even more special, to pitch in, be part of it, and see something wonderful come to life.”
Andrea & Thomas
“Finally, a project that we’ve almost finished, with everyone’s help, but we still need to make it more accessible to our guests.”
Doris
“The days of the Gargelln community projects are unforgettable to me. Creating something special together in nature and being fully present in the moment.”
Hubert
“It’s wonderful to see how you all work together!”
#observer
Ulrich
“I think it’s amazing what you’ve created together, and I’m already looking forward to exploring your new paths and, above all, the great little benches.”
#observer
Regine
“It gives me great joy to see your community.”
#observer
Sybilla
“I’d love to pitch in sometime. Your sense of togetherness is just incredible. The whole project is one of a kind.”
#observer
Elisabeth
“I walked the trail several times this summer and was impressed! Wonderful paths and nice benches where you’re happy to take a moment to catch your breath. It fits perfectly with Gargellen, and I hope to be able to help out with the next work project! I’m very excited to see what else is in store… Gargellen is simply a dream and, for me, my second home.”
#observer
Simeon
Gargellen – where life tells its story
