Churches & Monasteries – Ten Places of Contemplation and Solace

The Premonstratensian Wilten Monastery lies at the foot of the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck. Guided tours offer interesting insights into the history of the Baroque abbey. The monastery is also home to an exquisite museum. Amongst the oldest exhibits is a chalice from the 12th Century. The medieval altar and painted panels are of particular historical relevance.

Museum Stift Wilten • Klostergasse 7 • 6020 Innsbruck • +43.512.583048 • www.stift.wilten.at • Opening times: by appointment only

Innsbruck Cathedral is one of the most important Baroque buildings in the state capital. The building is particularly notable for its well-balanced proportions and artistic heritage. The cathedral is home to a cenotaph in memorial of Grandmaster of the German Order, Archduke Maximilian III.

Episcopal Ordinariate of the Diocese of Innsbruck • Riedgasse 9-11 • 6020 Innsbruck • +43.512.2230-0 • www.dibk.at

St. Georgenberg was constructed in circa 950 and has been an important pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. Famous Tirolean architect, Jakob Singer, built Fiecht Monastery in 1741. The cloister, with its magnificent collegiate church in Baroque style is one of Tirol’s most treasured cultural heritage sites. Liturgical instruments, manuscripts and documents spanning eight centuries are housed in the museum. Today the site is owned by the Swarovski family.

Benedictine Monastery of St. Georgenberg-Fiecht • 6134 Vomp-Fiecht • +43.5242.63276-0 • info@st.georgenberg.at • www.st-georgenberg.at

The 28 larger than life bronze statues and cenotaph from the 16th Century form one of the most beautiful Renaissance art works in the Alps. The memorial, which was commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I and completed by his grandson, Emperor Ferdinand I, was destined to remain empty. Maximilian was buried in Wiener Neustadt. Other attractions in the Court Church include the Ebert-Organ, Silver Chapel and the final resting place of legendary Tirolean freedom fighter, Andreas Hofer.

The municipal parish church, a four-naved hall church, was built in 1460 and extended in 1502 and is Tirol’s largest hall church today. In bygone times, the townspeople sat on the left and, separated by a timber partition, the miners on the right. A special feature of this church are the two bell towers, one of which is 400 years younger than the other. It was added in 1911 after the upper third section of the older tower started to tilt and the danger of collapse meant the bell could no longer be rung safely.

Silberregion Karwendel • Münchnerstraße 11 • 6130 Schwaz • +43.5242.63240 • info@silberregion-karwendel.at • www.silberregion-karwendel.com

The Basilica is one of Tirol’s most important pilgrimage churches and is sought out by innumerable pilgrims. The Absam pilgrimage dates back to an incident that occurred on 17th January 1797. According to legend, a woman’s head appeared in the window of a farmhouse, which was said to be a manifestation of the Virgin Mary. After verification, the picture was brought to the church and has been worshipped as an icon ever since.

Region Hall-Wattens • Wallpachgasse 5 • 6060 Hall in Tirol • +43.5223.45544-0 • office@hall-wattens.at • www.hall-wattens.at

The beautiful pilgrimage church, “zum Hl. Romedius”, is nestled on a small hill not far from the centre of Thaur. Built in Baroque and Rococo style, the chapel is dedicated to St. Romedio and houses a high altar and relics from the patron saint. Next to the entrance, almost hidden behind a wrought-iron grille, as an extraordinary sacred treasure: the hand of a “poor soul” scorched into a piece of timber. It is thought to be the hand of Pastor Meringer, who appeared to a hermit and asked him to pray for his sins.

Region Hall-Wattens • Wallpachgasse 5 • 6060 Hall in Tirol • +43.5223.45544-0 • office@hall-wattens.at • www.hall-wattens.at

Locherboden near Mötz was famous well beyond the country’s borders for its miraculous healings from the middle of the 18th Century. As a result, the Neo-Gothic church of pilgrimage was built for the many pilgrims seeking succour. The church’s location, set amidst breath-taking mountain scenery with magnificent views of the Inn and the spirituality of this site make Locherboden a very special day trip destination.

The two churches at Stiftsplatz are the only examples of late Renaissance court churches in Tirol. Archduchess Magdalena founded Hall Jesuit College in 1571 for the spiritual welfare of Hall Convent. Consecrated in 1610, the Collegiate Church was later constructed in Baroque style in the second half of the 17th Century. Following its most recent restoration, the former Jesuit monastery has one of the most beautiful Baroque courtyards in Tirol. The grey-white facade is in keeping with its original colour.

Region Hall-Wattens • Wallpachgasse 5 • 6060 Hall in Tirol • +43.5223.45544-0 • office@hall-wattens.at • www.hall-wattens.at