Discover Guttaring

Guttaring combines sacred architecture, historic trails and an unusual geological feature. The main attractions include several churches, the Seven Churches Trail, the Guild Trail through Guttaring and the “Field of Stone Lenses” between Guttaring and St. Gertraud.

Churches between Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque

Guttaring Church was first mentioned in official records in 1160. Its present appearance combines several periods: it is a Romanesque chancel-tower church that was extended in the Late Gothic period. Inside, it has a magnificent Baroque high altar dating from around 1720. Its two-storey column architecture creates a striking focal point for anyone interested in historic sacred spaces and Baroque design.

St. Gertruden Church also offers special details of artistic and architectural-historical interest. The small Romanesque and Gothic church stands on a hill and is surrounded by a wall. Its furnishings include a tabernacle altar with carved figures of Saints Gertrude, Barbara and Catherine. The pilgrimage church of Maria-Hilf represents a different period: construction of the stone church began in 1721, and the uniform Baroque complex was completed in 1727. The high altar is attributed to Johann Pacher.

Pilgrimage Churches and Historic Townscapes

The pilgrimage church of Maria Waitschach was first mentioned in 1390. As a Late Gothic hall church with a roof-rider-style west tower and a strongly recessed choir, it has a distinctive architectural character. In Deinsberg, the church is the parish church of Saint James and Saint Anne. It is surrounded by a former defensive cemetery wall; a Late Romanesque charnel house is located to the northeast. Such diverse architectural forms make Guttaring a destination for travellers who want to get to know historic places not only through a single building, but also within their respective contexts.

Geology and Trails as a Travel Experience

The “Field of Stone Lenses” between Guttaring and St. Gertraud offers a special natural experience. Fossil nummulites can be easily found there. The market town of Guttaring had a wooden information board erected in front of the field. The site complements the churches and historic buildings with a geological theme and adds a surprising facet to travel planning.

The Seven Churches Trail in Guttaring offers a more intensive connection between landscape, history and religion. This spiritual hike leads through beautiful landscapes to seven historic churches and provides cultural and religious insights. The Guild Trail through Guttaring offers a different perspective and is one of the seven “Mystical Trails” of the Görtschitztal valley. Depending on your personal interests, you can include either a more spiritually oriented trail or a route connected with the region’s craft and local history in your holiday itinerary.

Guttaring as a Starting Point for Choosing Your Accommodation

When choosing a holiday apartment in Guttaring, it is worth first considering which experiences should shape your stay. Those interested in culture can focus on the historic churches and their different styles. Anyone who enjoys exploring on foot can combine the Seven Churches Trail or the Guild Trail with further discoveries in the area. The “Field of Stone Lenses” adds a natural-history accent.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Mölbling, Krobathen, Metnitz, Liebenfels, Friesach, Sankt Georgen Am Längsee, Kraig and Lölling Graben.

For the main travel overview: Sankt Veit An Der Glan.