Vecht for Monument – with a fist against the moving arm of the demolition engraver

A cold wind blows over the burner. A cold wind also blows into the conservationists who gather on Brenterstrasse in the municipality of Gries on Thursday in the early morning hours. Many are not. The hard core of less than ten people who want to prevent the inevitable in the last second: the coming demolition of the White Rössl.

“Couple came with hot hot air balloon”
The police are also there to prevent escalation. While the excavator drivers are going to work, it becomes emotional. “My family has managed the inn for decades. Locals such as travelers like to go here, “Katharina Schmid cannot believe that all this should end now.

The daughter of the former owner brought an old guestbook. The first entry dates from 1875. “Many climbers have ever moved to four,” Schmid points out a drawing of a victory in the top. Then she tells about a few that should have traveled with a hot hot air balloon. Schmid points to the steep meadow above the building: “They landed there.”

Architects against the court
The walls of the Witte Rössl have been for more than 500 years. You can tell a lot of such stories. “Such an old stone building can be much resistant. In my opinion, a total demolition is not necessary. Even if rain and snow have attacked the substance, “is the analysis of architect Gerald Gaigg, who also came to Gries.

Gaigg is not the only one in his guild that is shocked by the opinion of the State board. This recently ordered the demolition at the end of April. “This is about a building -like building, about building cultural heritage, about history. With the Witte Rössl, much more is lost than an inn, ”says Gaigg and looks at the dredger who will work on the remains of a wall next to the monument.

The police must intervene
The machines tore a big hole in the building on Wednesday. Then Monika Grünbacher stepped in between the initiative of the citizens. Thursday morning also opposes the huge machines. When they start to break down a garage door, it becomes loud. With a concentrated fist and a lot of anger in the voice, the conservationist throws himself for the excavators. Another woman reproduces from the street via the barrier grille to the workers. The police intervene, try to calm the heated mood.

“You can’t just allow that. You have to do something. “With tears in the eyes, Grünbacher can finally be accompanied by the police officers from the construction site. Moni – as they call it all – fought tirelessly for the Witte Rössl. That could not have been for nothing? This fearful question is now written on her face.

Excavation work for the time being
The cold burner wind is still blowing when the dredging work is set after about an hour. The white Rössl is no longer touched on this day. But all the knowledge collected is that it is only a matter of time. The mood is divided into the village. “Of course there are people who say: get away with the old box. But there are also people who recognize the value of this monument for our place, ”Gabriele Gatscher tries to describe both parties.

Geulen has torn the dispute over the white Rössl in the community. Two years ago there are many rumors around the fire, the beginning of the end. The owner of the building is accused of pure profit thinking. The Monument Office and the community try to prevent demolition. But so far without success. Nobody knows exactly when the excavators give the Witte Rössl the bladder. It can be every day so far. Then the concentrated fist of the citizens can no longer coordinate.