Karthaus, the main village in the Schnalstal Valley, with the town hall, bank, post office, doctor and clinic, as well as a general grocer and a bakery.

In this period about 15 monks lived in the Kartause Allerengelberg. After the monastry was dissolved due to the reform politics of Kaiser Joseph II, the population could acquire ownership of the former monastry buildings.

The village of Karthaus can look back upon a long history. In 1326 it was founded as the monastry Allerengelberg of the Karthauser order. No other place could fullfill the 13 - 15 monks' desire for solitude as well as this one. The Karthauser monks were fond of isolation and received even their meals through small, rectangular holes in the cells.

During the Peasants' War (a popular revolt in the years 1524/25), the peasants of the surrounding farms rebelled against the monastry, as they were no longer inclined to pay high taxes to the monks.

Kaiser Joseph II from Austria banished the monks and dissolved the monastry in 1782. The monks should no longer only obey the strict rules of monastic life, but rather take on a social and pastoral role in the community. After the monks deserted the monastry, artisans and peasants of the surrounding area acquired ownership of the empty cells and buildings and converted them into residences.

In 1924 a disasterous fire destroyed Karthaus almost completely. In recent years the National Monuments Office restorted what was left of the former monastry, which is now open to visitors throughout the year.

As charming as ever, the cloister now hosts exhibitions of local artists each summer.

Weekly markets in summer, evening concerts and chatting after shopping - the village square is a place where community is built.

The cemetry and the fountain in the village square pay tribute to Schnalstal artists who gained internatioinal recognition.