Sirnitz-Sonnseite: Farming Heritage, Mill and Hiking Trails

Sirnitz-Sonnseite combines the special atmosphere of historic farmsteads with a wide range of opportunities to experience nature and culture. A prominent landmark is the farmstead known as vulgo Artzbauer: It is one of the few farmsteads in the municipality of Albeck that have been preserved in their original form. Located in Sirnitz on the sunny side at an altitude of 1,095 metres, it features a basement section made of natural stone masonry and a multi-storey residential area constructed from wood. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in Sirnitz-Sonnseite will find a starting point here for a journey where regional architectural heritage and paths through the landscape stand side by side on equal terms.

Historic Farm Culture in Sirnitz-Sonnseite

One of the most striking examples of rural heritage is the Surtmann grain store. The grain store has a masonry ground floor and a two-storey log-built storage area. Its carved wooden balcony with heart and chalice patterns is particularly eye-catching. The Surtmann grain store dates from 1737 and vividly demonstrates the variety of historic storage buildings.

The farmstead known as vulgo Peyer also preserves some special features: two grain stores stand there. The upper one was moved from the former farmstead known as vulgo Lindner to its present location before the buildings on that farmstead were demolished during a land consolidation project around 1975. Details like these give a stay a sense of historical depth without requiring a major museum visit.

Another memorial landmark is the Peyer Cross, a large wayside shrine with a gabled roof, wavy front boards, a rear wall, side wooden strips and a simply crafted crucifix. It was erected in memory of the farm owner who died in an accident while carrying out logging work on the Hochrindl. According to the Mödritscher family, the present-day Peyer Cross dates back to the 1920s.

From the Wertzerhube to the Parish Church

The Wertzer grain store stands on a slope. The two-storey grain storage building was constructed using log-building techniques and stands on a natural stone foundation. The associated Wertzerhube is already mentioned in the Gurk land register of 1326 and in the fief register of 1404/1407. It held the right to serve drinks; there must have been an inn there in the Middle Ages. For travellers interested in culture, this creates a picture of the region that extends far beyond individual buildings.

The parish church also forms part of Sirnitz’s historic identity. It was first mentioned in 1179 and was administered as a filial church of the Altenmarkt mother parish. The church grounds also contain a Baroque charnel house dating from 1513. Travellers who enjoy combining sacred architecture, rural building traditions and local stories can include these different points of interest in their daily itinerary.

Hiking Trails, Water and Winter in the Region

The municipality of Albeck lies within the Carinthian Nockberge nature and landscape conservation area. More than 200 km of marked hiking trails lead to viewpoints, natural monuments, churches and ruins. This offers a wide choice of excursion destinations, allowing you to focus on nature, history or the landscape depending on your interests.

One clearly defined route idea is the Kneipp hiking trail. It begins in Sirnitz and leads for around 1.5 km into the Enge Gurk valley to a small waterfall. In addition, the last water mill in Sirnitz, located on the Widitschbach stream, was restored and reconstructed by the mill association. Special milling days with guided tours are available for visitors.

Those who prefer cross-country skiing in winter will find the Anderleloipe and Riaplloipe trails in Hochrindl. Both are groomed for classic cross-country skiing as well as skating. This allows you to plan your trip according to the season and your preferred type of activity without losing sight of culture and nature.

Plan Your Accommodation and Journey Wisely

When looking for accommodation in Sirnitz-Sonnseite, it is worth deciding on your personal travel focus first: Historic farm culture, churches and the mill lend themselves to a culturally oriented itinerary, while the marked trails and the Kneipp hiking trail offer different points of emphasis. Those travelling with a range of interests can select the excursion destinations that best suit their own pace. Albeck can be reached via the Gurk Valley on the B 94 and B 93 roads, or from Feldkirchen via the B 93.

If you would like to include more places in your travel plans, you can also compare Albeck Obere Schattseite and Sirnitz. This makes it possible to choose the right holiday apartment or holiday home based on your preferred combination of landscape, culture and activities.

For the overarching travel overview: Albeck.