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St. Magdalena Pilgrimage Church

Discover the serene beauty and rich history of St. Magdalena, a captivating pilgrimage chapel in the Tyrolean Alps.

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Nestled high above the Gschnitztal valley, St. Magdalena is a captivating pilgrimage church with a history dating back to the 14th century. This sacred site offers stunning panoramic views of the Stubai Alps and a serene atmosphere for reflection.

A brief summary to St. Magdalena im Gschnitztal

  • ゲマインデ・トリンス、オーストリア, AT
  • Visit website

Local tips

  • Consider hiking the Stations of the Cross from Gschnitz for a contemplative and scenic approach.
  • Experienced climbers can take the via ferrata for a thrilling alternative route with stunning views.
  • Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Innsbruck main station, take a train to Steinach am Brenner. From Steinach, take regional bus 4146 towards Gschnitz to the 'Trins Erhertlerhof' bus stop. From there, it's a 5-minute walk to the start of the hiking trail to St. Magdalena. Bus travel is free with the Wipptal Guest Card. A single bus fare without the card is approximately €3-5.

  • Walking

    From the 'Trins Erhertlerhof' bus stop or the St. Magdalena car park, cross the bridge and follow the signs for St. Magdalena (trail no. 52). The trail ascends steeply through the forest. After about an hour, you'll reach the pilgrimage church. The car park is subject to a fee.

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Discover more about St. Magdalena im Gschnitztal

St. Magdalena, also known as St. Magdalena auf dem Bergl, is a picturesque pilgrimage chapel and former hermitage in the Gschnitztal valley in Tyrol, Austria. Perched on a rocky outcrop 400 meters above the valley floor, within the municipality of Trins, the church provides breathtaking views of the surrounding Stubai Alps. The chapel's history is steeped in legend, with the first documented mention dating back to 1307. According to local lore, a wealthy nobleman sought atonement for his sins by building a church dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. The nobleman supposedly found a carved image of the saint and erected the chapel on that very spot. Another version suggests the nobleman was a knight from Schneeberg who chose to live as a hermit in the secluded area. Throughout the centuries, St. Magdalena grew into a popular pilgrimage destination, attracting devotees and support from afar. Even the Habsburg rulers, including Empress Maria Theresa, revered the site. However, Emperor Joseph II suppressed the pilgrimage in 1787 as part of his reforms, but it was revived after his death. Until 1938, farmers from Ellbögen and Patsch regularly made processions to the chapel to pray for protection from the foehn wind. The church features Romanesque and Gothic frescoes, some dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. These frescoes, restored between 1960 and 1972, are among the oldest wall paintings in Tyrol. Inside, the long nave is separated from the chancel by a pointed arch, both adorned with star-ribbed vaults and 16th-century tendril paintings. The sculptor Hans Pontiller from Innsbruck created the wooden cross with St. Magdalene in 1958. Today, St. Magdalena remains a place of pilgrimage and a popular destination for tourists seeking natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visitors can reach the chapel via well-maintained hiking trails from Gschnitz and Trins, or even a via ferrata for a more challenging ascent.

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