St Johann im Pongau (653m/2,142ft; pop. 8,000) is a summer and winter sports resort on a sunny terrace above the right bank of the river. In the Alpendorf district of town special events are held for children. The town's most prominent landmark is the parish church of St John, twin-towered, which was rebuilt in 1855-73 following a fire; its
imposing presence has earned it the name of the "cathedral of the Pongau". This is where the Wagrainer Tal from the east and the valley of the Grossarlbach from the south join the Salzachtal. Above St Johann, to the east, stands the Berghotel Hahnbaum (chairlift; by road 3km/2mi), the starting point of several ski runs; from here it is an easy two hours' climb to the summit of the Hochgrundeck (1,827m/5,994ft).