The Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe owes its name to the Habsburg regent, who visited Carinthia in 1856 with his wife Empress Elisabeth. On this occasion, the monarch went on a hike of several hours from Heiligenblut that led him to the edge of the Glockner glacier Pasterze. This spot, from which his majesty Franz Joseph marvelled at the 3,798 m Grossglockner, was named after him.