Passering combines a church history that can be dated with some precision with pilgrimage and cycling routes. When planning, it is worth considering their different highlights: the church and the Corpus Christi tradition tell of local history and religious life; the Hemma Pilgrimage Route involves a long walking time, while the cycling routes differ in their course and scenery. This makes it possible to plan a stay combining culture and activity without treating the individual routes as if they were the same.

Church and Local History

During renovations in the 1960s, a very small Romanesque window was uncovered in the church’s south wall above the sacristy door. The church’s Late Gothic reconstruction was consecrated on 16 October 1529. It is assumed that a church already stood here when Passering was first mentioned in a document in 1124. Local history therefore reaches far back, although the existence of the church in 1124 remains an assumption.

Under Emperor Joseph II, the filial church of Passering, which at the time belonged to the parish of Kappel, was due to be closed. The determined protest of the local population prevented its closure. Together with the Romanesque window and the date of the consecration, this traces a path from an early, only presumed church, through the Late Gothic reconstruction, to its continued existence. Those interested in the history of the village will find several points of entry: an architectural detail, a precisely dated event and a local episode about preserving the filial church.

Corpus Christi in Passering

The annual Corpus Christi procession also brings religious tradition to life in the village. At the village cross in Passering, the procession pauses at a wayside altar, where a blessing is given with the Blessed Sacrament. Another prayer stop is at the Leitgeb family cross at the entrance to the village. Both crosses are stops on the annual procession. This custom complements the church’s architectural history with a tradition that takes place at specific locations in the village.

The Hemma Pilgrimage Route

One stage of the Hemma Pilgrimage Route shows Passering as part of a longer hike. The fifth stage is 23.3 kilometres long, with a walking time of about six hours. This approximate duration makes the stage a distinct focus when planning the day. In Passering, the route crosses the road heading east by the Museumswirt Reichmann, then follows a path along the Silberbach into the Krappfeld. The stage information gives a time frame, while the route along the Silberbach describes its specific connection to Passering.

Cycling Tours and Getting There

The cycling routes described also differ in their landmarks. A route marked with the symbol for the European protected-area cycling route runs from Kappel am Krappfeld station to Passering. From Passering, the R7B markings lead back to Kappel am Krappfeld station. Near Passering station’s platform, the long-distance R7b cycle route runs along the right bank of the Silberbach.

Another short, hilly cycling tour leads from Kappel am Krappfeld station through fields and meadows to the Mannsberg-Boden European protected area and offers the option of returning to Passering station. While the stations are the main landmarks on the R7B connection, this tour is characterised by its hilly terrain, fields and meadows, and the protected area. Check the signage and route conditions before setting out.

Passering and Kappel am Krappfeld stations can be reached by train from the direction of Klagenfurt and Friesach. Bicycles can be taken on the S1 without a reservation; both stations have step-free access without steps or ramps. Check the timetable and operating conditions before departure. This makes it possible to plan the train journey and the different cycling routes using the stations mentioned.

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Go to the main travel overview: Sankt Veit An Der Glan.