Gmundner Seeklause

Of ablution gates and hermitages

As early as the 14th century, there was a mill pillar at the mouth of the Traun from Lake Traunsee, later two sloping pillars that formed an open point towards the lake.

At the beginning of the 17th century, lifting gates were installed to enable better water level regulation. Over the next two centuries, the structure was extended by installing further gates at various points. The Seeklause provided the necessary fairway for ships travelling from Gmunden to Stadl or to the mouth of the Traun.

The later, extended facility has a considerable size. Three large covered main gates can be opened with ropes and/or chains. There are also 66 so called Ablassthörl, which are opened with lever bars.

Above the first Klaustor gate, a lift winch is installed in the lake, which can be used for counter-operation in the last section between Kößlmühle and the lake. After the construction of a new concrete bridge at the beginning of the 1960s and after the construction of the Gmunden power station, the Klausen and Polster gates were completely removed and new banks were built with stone and concrete walls.