The parish church of St. Martin on the southern slope of St. Martiner Berg is a specific point of reference for the cultural history of Sankt Martin am Techelsberg. According to the heritage list dated June 19, 2026, it is protected as a listed building by ordinance. Roman inscription fragments, the chaplain’s house and the Baroque stone flooring each add a different historical dimension. The Roman-era inscription stone also points to the parish’s remarkable history.
Church and Parish History
In 1978, two fragments of a Roman funerary inscription were discovered during drainage work. They are built into the exterior of the west side, directly beside the portal of the parish church. Both the year of their discovery and the precise location of the fragments at the church are therefore part of its history.
The chaplain’s house is located below the parish church and was built using the traditional Carinthian log construction method. It is estimated to be 500 years old and served as the chaplain’s residence. The parish church’s stone flooring dates from the Baroque period. The construction method, former residential function and flooring offer different insights into the area’s architectural and religious history.
Jakob Unrest and Carinthian Historiography
Jakob Unrest also links the parish’s history with the history of Carinthia. He was parish priest in St. Martin am Techelsberg between 1466 and 1500. Unrest wrote chronicles of Austria and Hungary, as well as a regional chronicle of Carinthia. His Carinthian Chronicle is considered the beginning of Carinthian regional historiography. Thus, alongside the history of the parish, the development of historical writing in the region is also a focus.
Wayside Crosses and Religious Art
Numerous wayside crosses in the parish of St. Martin am Techelsberg shape the landscape as signs of the Christian faith. From 1855 onward, fourteen wayside shrines were erected between Hadanig and St. Martin by Kaspar Stoif, known as “Schuschnig.” The restored shrines are considered testimonies to Christian tradition and invite visitors to linger, pause and pray in silence.
The Gaspale Cross features a modern depiction of Mary as Mater Dolorosa, with the body of Jesus Christ taken down from the cross. The artwork is by Eduard Lesjak, a Carinthian artist living in Vienna. The wayside shrines and the cross thus illustrate different aspects of religious art and tradition in the parish.
Routes in the Municipality
For hikes, there is more to explore beyond the village: in the municipality of Techelsberg am Wörther See, well-marked trails lead from the shores of Lake Wörthersee to elevations of over 1,000 metres. The Techelsberg mountain-biking route is about 19 kilometres long and runs over asphalt, gravel and forest tracks. This information relates to the municipality and complements the local parish and cultural history with opportunities for outdoor activity.
The church of St. Martin am Techelsberg is one of the route points on the Hoher Gallin Circuit. A warning dated August 19, 2025, states that some sections may be out of date. Check the route on site before planning your tour.
When looking for a hotel, you can first decide what you want to focus on: if you are interested in parish and art history, the church, chaplain’s house and wayside shrines are central. If you would also like to include outdoor activities, consider the trails and mountain-biking route in the municipality. This makes it easier to distinguish local cultural history from activities across the municipality when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Töpriach, Köttmannsdorf, Ottmanach, Reifnitz, Techelsberg am Wörther See, Höflein, Pörtschach am Wörther See, Feistritz im Rosental
Return to the regional travel overview: Klagenfurt-Land.
