Sankt Peter in Holz: Teurnia and Medieval Art

Sankt Peter in Holz combines Roman urban history with medieval religious art and archaeological traces in a landscape that can also be explored on foot. The archaeological city of Teurnia is located in Sankt Peter in Holz. Those planning a trip with cultural discoveries will find various ways to explore the area: a museum with informative exhibits, stations on Holzer Berg and churches with remarkable murals.

Teurnia: Roman Life and Late Antique History

The Teurnia Roman Museum displays marble sculptures, inscriptions, jewellery, weapons and coins. The exhibits tell of the society, everyday life and art of the Romans and Celts. Younger visitors can take part in workshops on Roman jewellery, mosaic drawing and junior archaeology. This makes it possible to combine a museum day with different interests within the travel group without limiting the experience to a single approach to presenting history.

In the 5th and 6th centuries AD, Teurnia was the fortified capital of the province of Noricum and also the seat of a bishop. The bishop’s church has been preserved in the form of imposing ruins. The cemetery church is also an important historical monument: its mosaic floor dates from around 500 AD. The archaeological complex of the Roman municipium Claudium Teurnia on Holzerberg is a protected monument under heritage protection. The imperial-period urban district of Teurnia at the northern foot of Holzer Berg is also protected.

Archaeological Stations on Holzer Berg

A legionary trail across Holzer Berg leads to Teurnia’s individual archaeological stations. Holzer Berg near Teurnia is a hill sloping down on all sides, with a water spring. At the western access point, the Late Antique fortification wall can be recognised as an earthen elevation more than two metres high. The southern side chapel of the Early Christian cemetery church is covered by a protective shelter.

One of the special features is Teurnia’s open-air museum. In its final construction phase, around 340 square metres of floor space were occupied by a residential building. A building inscription from St. Peter in Holz refers to a temple dedicated to the Celtic healing god Grannus, whom the Romans equated with Apollo. The spring associated with Grannus lies north of the sacristan’s house, directly beside today’s asphalt road. The forum and bathing complex provide further insight into Roman urban life: the forum was the Roman marketplace, while the bathing complex included rooms that were largely equipped with hypocausts, or underfloor heating systems.

Church Art with Several Historical Layers

The parish church of St. Peter in Holz also offers a distinctive focus on cultural history. It was first mentioned in documents around 1060/1070 and, as a Gothic parish church, dates from around 1400. Its western façade features a depiction of Saint Christopher from the early 15th century. The frescoes above the entrance date from around 1430. Significant medieval wall paintings were uncovered inside the church in 1970. They depict the Passion of Christ, the resurrection of the blessed, their procession to the heavenly city, as well as fragments of the legend of Saint Dorothy.

Choose Accommodation According to Your Preferred Travel Theme

When searching for a holiday apartment in Sankt Peter in Holz, your personal focus is therefore particularly important. If you would like to explore Roman history in depth, you can organise your plans around the museum, ruins and archaeological stations. Those who prefer religious art can focus on the parish church and medieval artworks. In the associated municipality of Lendorf, you can also hike along the Alpe-Adria Trail; Austria’s oldest bishop’s church can be seen there as well.

To the main travel overview: Lendorf.