Gallizien offers a range of perspectives: on the nature side, there are floodplain forests, lakes and a waterfall; on the cultural side, churches featuring architectural styles from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. When planning your trip, you can prioritise these themes according to your interests and focus on specific places.
Nature and Landscape in Gallizien
The Möchlinger Au stretches across the municipalities of Gallizien and St. Kanzian am Klopeiner See. The Möchlinger floodplain forest is Carinthia’s largest floodplain forest complex. This means the natural surroundings can be considered both in the context of two municipalities and on a Carinthian scale.
The Wildensteiner Waterfall and Freibach Reservoir are located in the municipality of Gallizien. The waterfall has a drop of 54 metres. The Linsendorfer See has a particularly direct connection to the Drau Cycle Path: it is right on the route. This gives cyclists a distinct point of interest, while the waterfall and reservoir are located within the municipality as nature destinations.
Churches and Cultural History
Gallizien’s four churches bring together important architectural styles from the Middle Ages to the 18th century: Romanesque at the parish church, Gothic at Abtei, Late Gothic at Möchling and Baroque at Glantschach. Their association with different places makes this diversity tangible: rather than encountering just one period, you will find several eras of architectural history here.
This progression through time is particularly clear at the parish church of Abtei/Apače. Based on historical records from 1521/38 and its consecration date of 1561, the church’s origins are placed in the 16th century. Inside, it has Late Gothic star-ribbed vaults resting on wall supports. The term describes the vault’s star-shaped arrangement of ribs. At the same time, the Baroque high altar features Late Gothic figures of Saint Leonard and the two Saints John, dating from around 1500. The building’s history, vault and altar figures thus point to different layers of time.
The parish church of Möchling/Mohliče and Möchling Cemetery are also protected as monuments. Another cultural trace is the series of Lenten veils in Gallizien, which was restored in 2016. The Pasterk family’s Craft Museum near the Wildensteiner Waterfall adds a craft theme to the church art; it is a small attraction.
Activities and Your Own Priorities
The Karawanken Trail includes a stage from Gallizien via Kleinobir to Freibach Reservoir. The reservoir is therefore presented both as a nature destination within the municipality and as the endpoint of this named stage. Fly fishing is also possible in Gallizien. These offer different ways to enjoy activities: a specific trail stage on the one hand and a standalone fishing activity on the other.
Your choice therefore depends on what you would like to focus on: the floodplain forest spanning two municipalities and other natural sites, the Linsendorfer See’s location on the cycle route, the churches’ architectural history or a particular activity. The historical details of the parish church of Abtei/Apače offer a particularly rich cultural focus, while the landscape destinations have different connections to the municipality and the Drau Cycle Path.
Discover more destinations: WeiĂźeneggerberg, Feistritz Ob Bleiburg, Rammersdorf, Bleiburg, Globasnitz, KĂĽhnsdorf, Sankt Michael Ob Bleiburg, Wasserhofen.
Go to the overview of the wider region: Völkermarkt.
