evening ambience in Fiss | © Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis/Tirol

Fiss: A village with a unique charm

Fiss in Tyrol

The picturesque little municipality of Fiss is located on a flat “sun terrace” pointing south. The Rhaeto-Romanic Haufendorf (scattered village) with it’s 600-year-old village centre and its distinctive house entrances attracts flocks of holiday guests each ear. But their reason for visiting is not just the village’s pristine charm. Visitors instantly sense how well they’re being taken care of. And the numerous action-packed attractions add to the village’s strong appeal. 

Facts about the municipality of Fiss

  • Municipality in Tyrol
  • Located on the “sun terrace”, in the Oberes Gericht area, approx. 500 metres above the Inntal valley
  • Altitude: 1,436 metres above sea level
  • Inhabitants: approx. 1,000 

Village Map of Fiss Winter
Village Map of Fiss Summer

Official website of the Fiss municipality.
Official website Fisser Blochziehen. (German)


A holiday resort for families

The “sun terrace” of Tyrol boasts a possibly record-breaking 2,000 hours of sunlight each year. That means: lots of time to enjoy nature and experience Fiss in its “sun day” best. The mountain village is a true relaxation oasis for families, offering an extensive list of options for entertainment and adventure. Be it ski lessons at Berta’s Kinderland, a special kind of kiting experience on the Fisser Flieger or a ride on the giant Skywing - anything’s possible! 


“Blochziehen”: a traditional carnival custom in Fiss

In Fiss in the Tyrolean Oberinntal valley, customs are still well and alive. Especially, one of the oldest traditions: the Blochziehen. But what is that? Every four years during Carnival, locals pull a 35-metre stone pine log through the village. The so-called “Bloch” symbolizes a plough breaking up the soil for sowing, making it fertile. The spectacle is accompanied by revellers in colourful costumes and other figures wearing elaborate masks. The rite is supposed to illustrate the tremendous natural forces that the inhabitants of the Tyrolean Alps have always been exposed to in both summer and winter. 

As a matter of fact, this carnival season highlight was declared “Intangible World Cultural Heritage” by the UNESCO in 2011! 


Video gallery: Fiss in Tyrol

Historical facts about Fiss

Are you interested in the history of Fiss?  Then let’s go on a little journey back in time to the early days of the mountain village. By the way: It’s not quite clear where the village’s name “Fiss” comes from. Probably from the Latin word “Fossa” (ditch) or “Fodia” (pit or pan). In 1288, the village was first mentioned in an official document as “Fusse”. 

  • In the 1st and 2nd century AD, the Romans conquered the area and called it “Raetia”. 
  • Over time, Romans mixed with the local population of Raetians and they gradually turned into the Rhaeto-Romanic people. Later, the Baiuvarii, Alemanni and colonists from the Canton of Valais settled in the area and mixed with them as well. 
  • The Romans were responsible for certain novelties regarding the building trade: Instead of simple wooden huts, solid and sturdy stone houses were built.

To this day, Fiss’ history of being a Rhaeto-Romanic Haufendorf is ever-present. The 600-year-old centre and its distinctive house entrances are characteristic of the village. 


Village tour

Time-honoured traditions have been preserved in the streets of Fiss. Historical buildings tell of their Romansh past and take visitors on a journey back in time. If you want to learn more about the history of Fiss during your summer holiday, then why not take part in a village tour through the winding streets of the “Haufendorf” (a village made up of irregular plots of land)? For more information and all dates check out our weekly programme and event calendar.


Traffic abatement

In 1990, Fiss put a ban on driving at night. From 11pm to 6am, cars must remain parked. An exception are holiday guests’ arrivals and departures and locals coming into or leaving the village. 

Holiday guests who have booked their accommodation in the districts of Fisser Höfe or Telfes Höfe are permitted to use their car at night as well – for instance, after an evening event. In addition, during the winter season, Fiss offers a pedestrian zone. Perfect for a leisurely walk through the village! 


Contact

Fiss Information Office
Untergasse 11
6533 Fiss
Austria