From tavern to stage post

150 years of family tradition

Georg Rechl and Theresa Zaß bought the guesthouse in Ruhpolding in 1845 and in doing so began the now 150 year-old association between the Rechl family and present Hotel zur Post.

The history of the house

Built in 1309, the guesthouse became known as the “Ruhpolding Tavern” in 1424 courtesy of Henry the Rich of Landshut. Over the centuries the building has weathered many a storm, including the burning down of the roof truss in 1622 during the Thirty Years’ War. In 1809 the then owner, Peter Franz, rendered outstanding services by paying ransom for the village and saving it from pillage by French troops.

Due to its central position in the Ruhpolding valley, the building has always played an important part in the village’s development, whether as a social venue or as a starting and resting point for horses and carts transporting wood or salt for the Reichenhall salt works, or in providing transport and messenger services as the later stage post.

The significance of the innkeeper in the cultural life of the local folk should not be underestimated. Before freedom of trade came into being following the 1870/71 war, the trade of innkeeper was coupled to special concessions.