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Let´s go and see the bergdoktor

“Action!“ on the Litzlalm

The beautiful Litzlalm is found high up in the Naturpark Weißbach in the Salzburger Saalachtal. A short while ago I undertook a hike from Hirschbichl to this magnificent alpine pasture. I took the AlmErlebnisBus from the centre of Weißbach to Hirschbichl – this shortens the hiking time to the alm to 45 minutes.

Two mid-forties from Hamburg are sitting in the AlmErlebnisBus, eagerly discussing exciting love affairs, mysterious illnesses, a stunning doctor and the beautiful mountains. This combination makes me prick up my ears and I eavesdrop on the interesting conversation. Soon I realize that the two are fans of the “Bergdoktor“ (the “Mountain Doctor“ television series). Curiously, I interrupt their conversation and they look at me incredulously with big eyes. Didn’t I know that the “Bergdoktor“ was filmed on the Litzlam with Hans Sigl aka Martin Gruber and that up there the hut, called “Uncle Ludwig’s Alm“ in the series, can be found? “You have such wonderful mountains here! Every “Bergdoktor“ episode is like a short holiday for us and draws us to Austria again and again!“ the two enthuse as they set off to search for the said hut, but I see in their eyes that it’s not only the mountain peaks that have conquered their hearts…..

The hut owner tells all

Eight “kaser“, small huts belonging to dairy farmers, are situated on the Litzlalm between 1300 and 1500 metres above sea level above Weißbach and eight farmers share the pasture above the Litzlalm restaurant. In the Reithkaser, the highest situated hut, filming took place for “Bergdoktor“ last year. For this, the rustic “kaser“ transformed into “Uncle Ludwig’s Hut“ and in several episodes of the last season, pictures of the Naturpark Weißbach flickered across the screens. I hear this firsthand from Richard Fernsebner, the owner of the Reithkaser. “After a phone call, my wife Cornelia showed the set designer the alm area and our hut. For the filming, a few things were redecorated and our things cleared away, but after shooting was finished, we received our hut back in its perfect original condition. Since the broadcast, some die-hard fans have been coming to the Litzlalm to see where “Uncle Ludwig“ lives. In the past, our hut was also used as a filming location – namely for the “Alpenklinik“ with Erol Sander. The “Bergdoktor“ team is super straightforward and highly professional – we look forward to further episodes being filmed here“, says Richard Fernsebner, enthusiastic about the filming.

Curiosity is my middle name, so I also asked the “Bergdoktor“ team for a short interview and they were delighted to tell me about the filming in the Naturpark Weißbach:

How was the Reithkaser transformed into “Uncle Ludwig’s Hut“? What requirements did the alm have to meet?

Cordula Kerner – Set Designer

We needed a new motif with an impressive mountain backdrop which is logistically easy to use and which we could access permanently. A few years ago I happened to see a photo of a restaurant (later, I found out that this was the Litzlalm) and immediately saved it – you never know! However, there was neither a name nor a location. As I began to look around for “Ludwig’s Hut“, I remembered the photo and began to do some intense detective work! In the end, we met up with Cornelia, the owner of the hut, who guided us through the extensive local area. And so it happened that we drove around a bend and my set designer heart began to beat faster as I found eight huts in total – each one more impressive than the next! The decision was ultimately made to go with the Reithkaser because it was the last hut in this “chain of houses“. There it was easier to portray the isolation and loneliness. The majestic mountain, which is located directly behind the house, makes it possible to show all the important elements in one frame (mountain – house – actor) so that in a picture, all motif-relevant aspects are shown. The filming logistics also function really well because our team can be catered for in the nearby huts.

How was the shoot?

Christian Ronning – Production Manager: The filming days (there were 6 days in total) were very varied. We were visited by hikers; had intensive scenes with the Gruber family and experienced almost all seasons.

In November we were standing in deep snow…. that was not necessarily planned, but we are not immune to the caprices of the weather.

At the Reithkaser you have beautiful mountain scenery – one of the main ingredients for the success of the series (in addition to the mountain doctor himself of course J )? Hans Sigl:

Hans Sigl:

Yes, of course. We are always aware of that. It’s not just nice for the audience to see these landscapes, we are happy to see these magnificent views everyday and value the opportunity to work here. .

Who provided the catering for the crew up there? Christian Ronning – production manager:

Christian Ronning – production manager

We always have our own catering with us. This has proven itself in recent years because we can always be flexible and when filming at night, for example, we can call everyone to lunch at 11 pm. Our colleagues cook fresh food and always have different dishes on offer so that everyone can find something suitable.

An anecdote from the filming..?

Christian Ronning – production manager

As expected on an alm, the cows were our constant companions in summer. Because the animals are extremely nosey, one or two men were always occupied with keeping them at a distance. However, if the drinking trough was in the scene, we sometimes had to interrupt the filming so that the animals could drink.

When could you see “Ludwig’s Hut“ on television? Anja Konen-Praxl – press spokeswoman for the production company ndF

Anja Konen-Praxl – press spokeswoman for the production company ndF

“Uncle Ludwig“, played by the great Christian Kohlund, has been part of the family since the 11th season and lives in the hut since episode 2. In almost every episode of the season which premiered last year, there were scenes played out at the hut. We are currently shooting the 12th season of the series and can reveal that the hut and Uncle Ludwig will also appear.

“Bergdoktor“ fans are already making pilgrimages to the hut to be right on the scene. Is this a Bergdoktor natural phenomenon? Anja Konen-Praxl – press spokeswoman for the production company ndF

Anja Konen-Praxl – press spokeswoman for the production company ndF

This is probably not a phenomenon purely triggered by this series. This is known from other films and series as well. However, it is really great to see that the public are so enthusiastic about the landscapes shown that they want to get up from the couch and view the whole thing for real.

In this sense is Dr. Martin Gruber a valuable ambassador for tourism?

Anja Konen-Praxl – press spokeswoman for the production company ndF

Yes, but no one could have imagined to what extent more than 10 years ago when we started the series.

What does the “Bergdoktor“ remember especially?

Hans Sigl:

When we first arrived at the hut where Uncle Ludwig was supposed to live, I was fascinated. We have already been able to shoot in many beautiful places, but the location, this view and the fantastic work with Christian Kohlund in “his“ house was, and is, something special.

You want to hike to the “Uncle Ludwigs” hut? We have the right hiking tour for you …

Litzlalm hike

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