Heiligwasser Pilgrimage Church

Heiligwasserkirche

The Heiligwasser (literally "Holy Water" in German) pilgrimage is on the slope of the Patscherkofel mountain at an altitude of 1234 m, following a path of 10 chapels of which 5 remain. According to the legend, an angel appeared to 2 peasants searching for lost cattle in 1606, and showed them the way to a spring where they found their cattle. In return, the angel commanded a chapel to be built next to the spring, an undertaking completed by the bishop of Brixen. The site soon became a destination for pilgrims, and in 1661 a church was built to replace the chapel, in which a first religious service was held a year later. Halfway the 18th century, the church was expanded with a side chapel, and buildings around the church were constructed to accommodate the needs of pilgrims, who attribute healing effects to the spring's water. Of particular interest is the churches 3-sided choir with hexagonal choir tower and typical onion shaped roof. The portal is decorated with a fresco from 1743. The ceiling frescoes were added in 1945 by Hans Andre. The Baroque high altar dates from the first half of the 15th century but was stolen in 1971 and replaced with its current copy.

• free

Getting there

Patscherkofelbahn

Price

Free