Themed tour
In the Footsteps of Erich Kästner
Mayrhofen, 1945
Duration
about 90 min
Price
450.00 € /
per group
Meeting Point
Time / Pick-up by arrangement
Languages
German and English
A special themed tour of Mayrhofen—taking you back to the final months of World War II and following in the footsteps of Erich Kästner.
In March 1945, Erich Kästner arrived in Mayrhofen with a fake UFA film crew. Under the pretext of filming a movie, he escaped from war-torn Berlin. But even here, the fear of being discovered remained ever-present.
Here’s what you can expect on an Erich Kästner guided tour:
We follow in his footsteps through Mayrhofen—from his arrival on the Zillertalbahn, through Pension Steiner, where Kästner stayed with his partner Luiselotte Enderle, to the war memorial behind the church. There, a commemorative plaque honors Hansl Steiner, whose death Kästner poignantly recorded in his diary, *Notabene 45*.
We tell the story of the Steiner family, of their daughter Viktoria (“Viktl”), with whom Kästner got along particularly well, and of the oppressive days in the spring of 1945. Kästner’s writings offer a firsthand glimpse into the fear, grief, uncertainty, and daily life during the final weeks of the Nazi era.
Picture: Quelle: Getty Images/Hulton Archive/Hulton Archive
History at Original Locations
Our walk continues to the Scheulingwald, Kästner’s retreat, and finally to the Waldcafé. There, we wrap up the tour with coffee and cake and discover the spot beneath the Herrgottswinkel where Kästner liked to sit and write.
His diary, “Notabene 45,” turns this guided tour into a special journey through time: history isn’t just recounted—it comes to life at the original locations in Mayrhofen.
A compelling tour exploring Erich Kästner, the people behind the stories, and a time when even everyday life was marked by fear and uncertainty.
Special Tour
This special themed tour has been individually researched and tailored to the original locations in Mayrhofen. The preparation goes far beyond that of a traditional town or city tour. In developing the tour, historical sources and Kästner’s *Notabene 45* were thoroughly examined, and additional interviews were conducted with the village chronicler, the current owners of Pension Steiner, and the current owner of the Waldcafé.
This made it possible to link historical accounts, personal stories, and the locations we visit today. The result is a guided tour that isn’t based on generally available information, but was developed specifically for Mayrhofen and this route.
A unique journey through time—personally researched, authentically told, and set right in the places where Erich Kästner lived, thought, and wrote in 1945.
A story that gets under your skin.
