Natural house in Carinthia: Holidays with wood, straw and clay at Ebner 1822

Take off your shoes and feel the oak planks under your feet. Run your hand over a clay wall. Let your eyes wander through the meadows through the window. Those who come to Ebner 1822 encounter the materials of the house in a very immediate way.

There are three of them on our historic family farm in Gnesau in the upper Gurktal valley. Natural houses made from wood, straw, and clay. Here, at an altitude of around 1,000 meters in the Kärnten Nock Mountains, we have created a place where natural building techniques and personal hospitality go hand in hand.

You live in your own house, get your breakfast basket and decide for yourself what the day can bring: a hike, a good book, a conversation in front of the village pub. Or maybe just another cup of coffee with a view of the outside world.

Wood, straw and clay: deliberately chosen and carefully processed

When building our natural houses, we have thoroughly researched the materials used. How are they processed? What tasks do they perform in the house? And how do we want to live in them ourselves?

Spruce and larch, treated with moonshine, shape the houses. Straw serves as insulation material, clay is used on the interior walls, and lime plaster protects the buildings on the exterior. The diffusion-resistant construction follows the principles of the passive house.

For you as a guest, much of this is initially visible and tangible in the surfaces: in the graining of the wood, the structure of the clay walls, and the oak beams under your feet. Other characteristics are hidden in the construction of the houses. Together, they form the foundation for spaces where we ourselves would love to spend time.

Each material has its own function. Straw insulates, clay can absorb and release moisture from the air in the room. Wood is a building material and at the same time a visible surface. At Ebner 1822, these materials complement each other to create a whole.

A private natural home with the comfort you desire

Natural building materials were, from the very beginning, associated with a clear commitment to quality living for us. Our guests should have a pleasant experience – from the first cup of coffee to going to bed.

These include a box spring bed, a panoramic bathtub, a rain shower, and a hydro-soft cabin. The wall heating provides warmth; on cool days, you can also heat the fireplace stove.

Maybe you’ll come back after a autumn hike, take off your shoes and make a fire. While the light fades over the meadows outside, there’s time for a bath or a shared evening at home.

Our three nature houses each have space for up to four people. You can come as a couple, with your family, or with people with whom you would like to spend a few days together. Two of our houses are also pet-friendly.

The morning begins with a breakfast basket

Our stay includes a breakfast basket. You set the table in your own house and take as much time as you like. Coffee and tea are also available, as are fresh eggs from the farm.

Sometimes the plan for the day is already made at breakfast. The hiking shoes are ready, the weather is nice, and the table stays covered longer on other mornings because the conversation is going well or the sun is shining through the window.

This freedom is part of the vacation in a natural house for us. You have your own space and can design the day according to your wishes. At the same time, we are there as hosts if you need a tip for an excursion, have a question, or want something for your stay.

Three houses, a family farm and the Nock Mountains right on the doorstep

Ebner 1822 is a small village on a large estate. The short distances and opportunities for meeting each other are created between the houses, the village pub and the natural pond. You can sit down or retreat to the terrace of your house.

All around are the meadows and forests of the upper Gurktal valley. For those who Region Gurktal and Nockberge If you want to explore the area, you will find opportunities for walks, hikes and excursions.

However, it is also worth staying on the farm and taking a closer look. To the light that travels through the facade throughout the day. To the reflections in the natural pond. To the colors at the edge of the forest that change with the seasons.

If you spend several days here, you will become familiar with such details. Perhaps you will discover a favorite spot for your morning coffee and another for the last rays of sunshine in the afternoon.

The Dorfschenke is one of them

Good food is an important part of our hospitality. In Ebners Dorfschenke Barbara cooks with a view to the season and the origin of the ingredients. The Dorfschenke is certified organic; regional producers are part of our kitchen.

This is where house guests, people from the surrounding area, and excursion guests come together. One eats, drinks a glass of wine, and starts a conversation.

For your stay, this means that you can stay in your own house and also come in to our restaurant during opening hours. If you would like to spend an evening at the Dorfschenke, we are happy to discuss opening hours and reservations in advance with you.

A natural house in Carinthia at any time of the year

In spring, the greenery around the houses grows more and more every week. At breakfast, the view of the meadows opens up; later on, a walk leads out into the fresh air.

In the summer, many things move outside. The terrace becomes a place to enjoy coffee, the afternoon can be spent at the natural pond, and the long days allow for a hike and an evening at the farm.

In autumn, the sun sets lower. Its light makes the structures of wood and clay particularly visible. After a day in the Nock Mountains, coming home to a warm house takes on a special quality.

In winter, you can look out from the house at the landscape while the fire burns in the stove. Depending on the weather, you go outside to enjoy the snow or the clear winter air. After that, you can relax in the bathtub, have a warm drink, and spend the evening as you wish.

What is important to us at Ebner 1822

We want to do good things for people. For us, this starts with careful planning and continues in our daily hospitality: with the breakfast basket, cooking, a personal conversation, and paying attention to what you need right now.

Our natural houses give this idea a place. Wood, straw and clay form the framework. What makes your stay special is the days you spend here.

If you want to spend a holiday in your own natural house in Carinthia, with good food and hosts who are happy to be there for you, we look forward to seeing you. Unbinding inquiry.

Do you already know when you want to come? You can do this here Check availability and prices and book your stay directly.

Barbara and Mario Sonnleitner