The Muthof Farms

The history of the Muthof farms stretches back to the Middle Ages. Tyrol Castle’s oldest documentary evidence from the time of Meinhard II of the ancient farmhouses on the southern slopes of the mountain peak of the same name dates from 1285. At that time the residents of the mountain settlement lived predominantly from alpine agriculture and dairy farming.
In recent decades that Muthofs have been restored on several occasions, with the original structures being largely retained. Today the characteristic farmhouses below the Mutspitze mountain offer important testimony to the rural culture and history of the region.
Even today, the life of the mountain farmer is characterised by hard work and austerity. In the summer months the hay is still cut by hand, since the steep slopes make the use of mowers impossible. Mountain farmers grow a variety of cereals such as rye, barley and buckwheat as an additional source of income, while the cattle, sheep and chickens provide meat, milk, wool and eggs for everyday life.
Farmers use the winter days for producing a range of work utensils and repairing fences or roofing shingles. In winter they slaughter their pigs and produce bacon and smoked sausages for their own use and for their guests. Milk is used to make mountain cheese, lamb for "Schoepsernes" (a roast lamb dish) and beef to make soups, roasts and other Tyrolean specialities.
What once was paid to the local sovereign as a tax is today served to visitors to the Muthof farms as culinary specialities. Hochmuth mountain cheese and bacon are prepared and sold directly from the rural farms.
(Source: Hochmuth Cable Car map)