Hermit caretaker sought for Austrian clifftop retreat
THIS 350-year-old house perched on the side of a cliff could be yours for free — but there are a couple of catches.
Careers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Careers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A UNIQUE job opportunity has arisen for a hermit to live in a stunning 350-year-old Austrian retreat perched on a cliff near Salzburg.
There are one or two catches though: you have no neighbours, running water, electricity or internet and there is the threat of being shot by a jealous local.
The Austrian town of Saalfelden is seeking someone to live in one of central Europe’s last hermitages, who according to the local priest Alois Moser should be “a person at peace with himself”, The Sun reports.
Those who crave human interaction will be glad to know that the role involves regular interaction with locals and guests who flock to the hermitage to admire the view.
The ad said that in the past many people have visited to confide in someone and to unburden themselves of any issues.
As well as visitors, applicants should be able to cope with the cold, as the ancient hermitage is not heated and is positioned at an altitude of 1400 metres.
This means that the dwelling can only be inhabited between April and November, when temperatures are warmer.
Applicants should note that it hasn’t always been peaceful at the hermitage.
According to The Local Austria news site, a man in 1970 shot at the retreat’s doors in a jealous rage that he hadn’t got the role himself.
The resident hermit was thankfully unharmed, but was so shaken up he gave up his post shortly after.
The position is unpaid, so the Municipal and Catholic officials are hoping to attract a candidate who is financially secure or who earns money through another job.
Saalfelden mayor Erich Rohrmoser and Father Moser will select the new hermit from applications that have to be sent by post rather than email.
Applications should state why they want the position, with a successful individual being chosen based on their personality as opposed to career background.
Having a Christian outlook is also said to be requirement of the role.
The Saalfelden dwelling is currently uninhabited after the previous occupant left in the autumn. The resident was a Viennese pastor and psychotherapist who lasted one season in the hermitage before wishing to return to normal life.
Prior to him a Benedictine monk had resided in the house for a decade.
Another incredible job opportunity is this one advertised by a cruise firm who are offering free food, drinks, flights and $4920 cash in their hunt for an ‘extraordinary explorer’ to travel three oceans over three weeks taking Instagram photos.
Last year, a Chief Adventure Officer could get $16,390 a year to travel to top UK destinations.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
Originally published as Hermit caretaker sought for Austrian clifftop retreat
Australia’s biggest super fund fined $27m
Australia’s biggest superannuation fund has been fined $27m for charging duplicate fees to tens of thousands of customers.
Major bank to move 190 Aussie jobs offshore
Big four bank Westpac will cut 190 Australian jobs in its customer solutions division and move them offshore just days after announcing a bumper profit.