Protest in Gries am Brenner: Citizens' initiative stops demolition of the Weisses Rössl!

Protest in Gries am Brenner: Citizens' initiative stops demolition of the Weisses Rössl!

In the heart of Gries am Brenner, Tyrol, there is a wave of protest against the demolition of the 500-year-old Weisses Rössl inn. The citizens' initiative “Save the Weisses Rössl Inn” is fighting with legal means to stop the demolition. This initiative still does not consider the monument protection to be lifted, even if the state administrative court recently approved the demolition in a ruling, as ORF Tirol reports. Also supporting the initiative are the architects Gerald Gaigg and Klaus Mathoy, who have now taken legal action due to their concerns and, among other things, have filed a complaint with the public prosecutor's office in order to review the events surrounding the demolition.

On Wednesday, March 10, 2025, there were chaotic scenes in Gries am Brenner when demolition excavators drove up. The early movement of the excavators caused a great stir; The demolition was not originally planned before Thursday. Residents immediately mobilized and one citizen bravely stood in the way of the excavators. Despite police intervention, the work could not continue. After a problem arose with an unexpected gas line, the demolition was temporarily halted. On Monday, TIGAS reported that the gas line had now been disconnected and the owner plans to continue the demolition work on Wednesday, provided all necessary safety precautions are in place. This was announced by a spokesman for the owner to ORF Tirol.

Litigation and resistance

The owner of the inn is now confronted with serious allegations and emphasizes that all legal steps were taken correctly. Despite his optimism about the legal course of events, the architects and the citizens' initiative have announced further legal action to combat the demolition. This tug of war between owners and citizens could develop into a significant standoff, as the developments of the last few days clearly show. Depending on the next court decision, the future of the storied inn remains uncertain, while its history and cultural significance remains at the center of debate.