ZILLERTHAL, one of the principal valleys of the Tyrol, traversed by the Ziller, is about 50 m. long. Toward the s. and s.w., it is bounded by lofty glaciers; but toward the n., where it opens into the valley of the Inn, it is tolerably fertile. Among the eight secondary valleys are the Duxerthal—famous for its precipitous glaciers, 1200 feet high—and the both remarkable for several great waterfalls. The inhabitants of the Zillerthal, who number about 15,000, are celebrated even in the Tyrol for their hand- some, well-built figures; and their fine Alpine songs are well-known and appreciated in London and Paris. The chief of the Zillerthal is derived from the rearing of cattle. About 5,000 head of cattle are exported yearly; but, notwithstanding, the valley is not die to support its numerous population. Many of the men hire themselves out as servants for the summer, while others go about as peddlers, selling essences of herbs. and gloves, of which 10,000 pair arc made yearly. The principal towns are Zell and Mairhofen. For some years, the valley ha,s been much visited by artists, chiefly from Munich.
In recent times, the inhabitants of Zillerthal acquired considerable notoriety by a part of them leaving the Roman Catholic church, and emigrating. For a considerable time, they had been in the habit of reading the Bible, and were on friendly terms with tha Protestant church, although still attending the Roman Catholic service; but when, in 1826, the Catholic clergy began to enforce auricular confession with greater strict ness, a number of them thought seriously of going over to the Protestant church. Ere
long, they not only objected to the confessional, but to the worship of the saints, abso lutions, masses for the soul, purgatory, etc. In 1830, they to leave the church; and by 1832, the number of dissenters had amounted to 240. began emperor Francis, to whom, on his visit to Innsbruck in 1832, they addressed a petition regarding their religion, promised them toleration; but after considerable delay, they were told (1834} that they must either return to the Catholic faith or remove to Transylvania. where there were Protestant congregations. As the Zillerthalers could not to this, they formed the resolution, as the Protestants of Salzburg had once done, of seeking a refuge in Prussia. This was granted; and the Zillerthalers, who had been allowed by the Austrian government to sell their property, set out Aug., 1837, for Prussia. In all, 390 men, women, 'and children arrived, Oct. 2, at Schmiedeberg, in Silesia, where they were to stay until the arrangements for their reception in Ermanusdorf were completed. The king gave them (£3,375) on their settlement, and (1839) made them a further grant of 12,500 dialers (21,875) for a church and school. The colony received the name of Zillerthal, and in 1871 numbered over 400 inhabitants.—See Geschichte der Zillerthaler Protestanten (Nuremb. 1838); Rheinwald; Die Evangelisehgesinnten in Niles. thal (4 Ault, Berl. 1838).