SOKO Kitzbühel is one of the longest-running crime series in Austria. One of the reasons for the series' popularity is the spectacular scenery - and the twentieth season, which was filmed mainly in the Tyrolean lowlands, is no different. In the new episodes, a hostage-taking at a school has to be stopped, a brutal "home invasion" causes entanglements and the Kitzbühel police are kept on tenterhooks by two bank robbers. Of course, the SOKO team also has to overcome all kinds of private challenges, such as a dilapidated dream house, ghosts from the past and a new love interest. Jakob Seeböck as Lukas Roither, Julia Cencig as Nina Pokorny, Andrea L'Arronge as Countess Schönberg and Ferry Öllinger as Kroisleitner are once again part of the cast.
In the 19th season, the investigators are supported by Hannes Kofler, the famous award-winning chef. His restaurant, the Pochlarner Stuben, is actually called the Jägerwirt and is located just outside Scheffau. For all those who get hungry from film tourism: The Jägerwirt serves down-to-earth cuisine at the highest level.
The "Pochlarner Stuben" is located at the foot of a majestic mountain massif: the Wilder Kaiser. Some say that Charlemagne can be recognised in the rock, others see Emperor Maximilian in it. In fact, the origin of the term is still unclear today and the locals simply call the mountains "Koasa". The rugged peaks of the nature reserve are particularly popular with hikers and climbers.
The Kaiser Mountains also play a central role in the episode "Alleingelassen". A group of friends lose a girlfriend while mountain climbing and a mysterious series of murders ensues. The rock face for the climbing scenes is located near the Gruttenhütte, a popular Alpine Club refuge at the foot of the Ellmauer Halt. The hut is located at 1,620 metres above sea level and is the highest refuge in the Kaiser Mountains.
The episode "Unauthorised side effects" ends in a quarry. This is the "Hartsteinwerk Kitzbühel", which is located in Oberndorf in Tyrol. Situated halfway between St. Johann and Kitzbühel, the village of 2,100 inhabitants is a cosy alternative to the bustling neighbouring towns.
One of the most central filming locations for the series is the medieval old town of Kitzbühel. The colourfully painted houses provide the setting for the cases of the SOKO detectives. The entrance to the police station was a frequently seen backdrop, especially in the older chapters. In reality, this is the Kitzbühel district headquarters in Josef-Pirchl-Straße. However, you won't find the interior of the SOKO command centre here. The interior shots take place in a studio, which is unfortunately not open to the public.
An equally important location for the series is the Kitzbüheler Horn. The local mountain of the Gamsstadt is almost 2,000 metres high and offers a panoramic view of some of the highest mountains in Austria. The Kitzbüheler Horn can be reached by cable car from Kitzbühel, Oberndorf and St. Johann. The episode "Goldrausch" was partly filmed at the Ganslern-Alm. The restaurant is located directly on the "Streif", the legendary downhill piste at the Hahnenkamm race.
In the episode "Durchtauchen", swimming coach Norbert Scheicher is found dead. The SOKO team discovers that the coach mercilessly goaded his protégés against each other in order to push them to peak performance. The film was shot at the Badewelt St. Johann. The adventure pool is open all year round and offers modern facilities with sauna, steam baths, massage, brine grotto and its own children's area.
In episode 239, the gold rush breaks out in Kitzbühel and the SOKO investigators are informed anonymously that a body has been found in the forest. The Brixentaler Ache river was used as the filming location. The 28-kilometre-long river has the same name as the Brixental valley, in which the towns of Brixen im Thale, Kirchberg in Tirol and Westendorf are located
In the chapter "It happened one afternoon", Nina Pokorny and Lukas Roither have to deal with a kidnapping. The feverish search for the kidnap victim pushes the detectives to their limits. The Jakobskreuz in Pillerseetal makes an appearance in this episode. The 30 metre high structure is considered the highest summit cross in the world and has a lift, several viewing platforms and even seminar rooms.
