The Catholic Magdalene Church gives Wasserhofen a distinct cultural and historical focus. The Carinthian Way of St. James passes directly by the church on its third stage, Edling–Gallizien. There are also cycling routes with different points of interest: one passes Wasserhofen Castle, while another follows a cycle path through Wasserhofen to Unterburg on Lake Klopein. This makes it possible to explore the area through its church history, pilgrimage routes and cycling.
Church and History
The Magdalene Church is located in Wasserhofen, which belongs to the municipality of Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See. It is a filial church of KĂĽhnsdorf, dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Its clearly defined ecclesiastical affiliation is coupled with a building history that dates back to a time before its first documented mention.
The church was probably built shortly before 1580 as a Protestant place of worship for neighboring Wasserhofen Castle. The Church of Mary Magdalene is first mentioned in documents in 1580. These details refer to different things: shortly before 1580 is the presumed date of construction, while 1580 is the year of its first documented mention. The construction date therefore remains an estimate and should not be treated as a confirmed year of construction. The church is Catholic today; the difference between its presumed original function and its current affiliation is a striking part of its history.
The filial church is protected as a historic monument by decree. It is listed in the Carinthian register of monuments dated June 19, 2026.
Architecture and Art
The round building has a painted, stenciled wooden ceiling that was restored in 1971. The date refers to the restoration of the ceiling. The 18th-century altar depicts Mary Magdalene, reflecting the church's dedication. The walls feature murals by contemporary artist Valentin Oman titled “Ecce Homo.” The architecture, restoration, altar depiction and murals offer different ways to explore the church: through its architecture, preservation and art.
Pilgrimage and Cycling
The pilgrimage route is clear: the Carinthian Way of St. James passes directly by the filial Church of St. Mary Magdalene on its third stage, Edling–Gallizien. The RadKultTour has a different point of reference and passes Wasserhofen Castle. The 2024 tour program describes this cycling option; check whether it is currently offered before planning your trip. The 6-Lake Tour, in turn, follows a cycle path through Wasserhofen to Unterburg on Lake Klopein. The castle route and the route ending in Unterburg are clearly distinct from the pilgrimage stage, whose point of reference is the church.
Plan Your Journey
The July 2022 map shows the Wasserhofen bus stop with the code SĂśD070. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current service before setting out. This makes the bus stop a specific point of reference, while allowing you to plan your actual bus connection using up-to-date information.
Discover more destinations: Kühnsdorf, Ruden, Wölfnitz, Klopein, Sittersdorf, Diex, Kleindiex, Sankt Kanzian Am Klopeiner See
View the wider travel overview: Völkermarkt.
