An exhibition about fish and fishing in East Tyrol
The rivers and lakes in East Tyrol have been considered excellent fishing waters since the Middle Ages. They are home to the Tyrolean grayling, the golden Danube salmon, or the monumental Danube salmon. Emperor Maximilian I has the mountain lakes of East Tyrol stocked and fished with brook trouts up to an altitude of 2,500 meters. A population has been preserved in its original state in Lake Anras.
Fish on the dining table has played an important role since the time of Gorizia - as a culinary delight as well as a fasting food. Menu descriptions from the travel diaries of Paolo Santonino, shell finds from the fillings of Castle Bruck, recipes from historical cookbooks, and from top chefs in East Tyrol provide insights into the eating habits surrounding fish from ancient times to today.
Over the centuries, fish has not only been a popular food but has had a symbolic meaning in many cultures. It symbolizes fertility, is considered a good luck charm, and is one of the oldest Christian symbols. The constellation of Pisces has been known since ancient times and also found its way into folk medicine in the Middle Ages. The healing powers of "fish eyes" and others can be explored through preparations and historical remedies.
The summer exhibition at Castle Bruck invites you to dive into the local underwater world and explore the (cultural) history of fish from the Middle Ages to the present. The approximately 20 fish species native to the region, the rivers, lakes, and mountain streams as habitats of local fish, fish baits and predators are presented, as well as the history of fishing, historical and current fishing methods, or fish motifs in art and symbolism.
The catalog for the exhibition
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