Family and History

The heart of the future can be found in tradition.

For the Knaller-Graal family of Neusach, Austria, planning and making decisions about the future has always been something the entire family does together. And they’ve been doing it this way for 500 years.

Knaller Family

In 2006 Gretl and Chrischtl’s son, Michael Knaller, who studied contrabass and bass guitar, took over the Gralhof together with his wife, Corinna.

For years, Gretl Knaller was responsible for the excellent quality of the Gralhof’s cuisine. Even today, guests are always eager to visit during the “Gretl-cooks-week”, the week each month that Gretl takes over the cooking for old time’s sake. Chrischtl’s contribution to the culinary arts is his home-baked bread, still prepared according to an old family recipe. When he’s not baking, you can find him cheerfully singing Schubert melodies, spending mornings in the barn and afternoons in the alpine pasture, riding his bike, or ice-skating.

Gretl and Chrischtl Knaller are finally enjoying a well-deserved retirement, but they remain an essential part of daily life here. After all, their hearts still belong to the garden, house, and farm.

Anno 1902 — The first summer visitors arrive at the Gralhof, bringing their own chicken to ensure there are eggs for breakfast.

1902

The east-south railway connection is built, and the train station at Greifenburg-Weissensee makes the journey a breeze.

Anno 1968 — Chrischtl Knaller installs the first central heating system at Gralhof.

1967

Chrischtl Knaller installs the first central heating system at Gralhof between 1967–1978. Hot water and room heating — what a luxury! The roof is also renovated and slightly expanded.

Anno 1978 - Chrischtl and Gretl Knaller expand the Gralhof “Häusl”, or main house.

1978

Chrischtl and Gretl Knaller expand the Gralhof “Häusl”, or main house, building six new “wanderer rooms”, as the guest rooms were called at the time.

Gretl, Christl, Corinna, and Michael Knaller at the Gralhof dock.

2006

In May 2006, Michael and Corinna Knaller take over the Gralhof for Chrischtl and Gretl Knaller.

Michael and Corinna Knaller in 2007 with the official BIO Hotel insignia.

2007

In June 2007, the Gralhof becomes a member of the eco-friendly BIO Hotels association. Find out more here.

2018

In December 2018, the Gralhof Freiblick (open view) dining room is constructed. This modern glass and steel addition provides a space for eating and enjoying life together.

The Gralhof Freiblick dining room during winter.

2018

Im Dezember 2018 kam der Gralhof „Freiblick“ dazu. Ein Zubau aus Glas und Stahl. Eine Erweiterung für gemeinsames Essen und Wohlfühlen. Gleichzeitig wurde auch alle Gästezimmer behutsam und neu renoviert.

Familie Knaller und das Architekten Ehepaar Negenborn von XBorn Architektur bekamen auf Grund der neuen Architektur am Gralhof den Kärntner Landesbaupreis verliehen. Von GEO Saison wurde der Gralhof mit seiner neuen Sichtweise unter die 100 TOP Hotels in ganz Europa gewählt.