Magdalensberg is associated with both religious memorials and themes from transport and local history. The branch church and several wayside crosses draw attention to tradition and design; Hammerberg Fortress, a former footpath and the opening of the road in 1954 provide further historical points of interest. This picture is complemented by the “Untere Lavant” European Protected Area, which also lies within the cadastral municipality of Magdalensberg. You can therefore plan your stay around a specific interest rather than treating the different topics as a single excursion route.
Church and September tradition
The branch church on Magdalensberg is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. Another longstanding tradition is Guardian Angel Sunday: it has traditionally been celebrated at Magdalensberg branch church on the first Sunday in September for a long time. This date offers a specific point of reference when choosing your travel dates if you would like to include this religious custom in your plans. The church’s dedication is a lasting point of reference, while Guardian Angel Sunday is a calendar occasion.
Wayside crosses: location, construction and imagery
The three wayside crosses differ in their location, construction and imagery. The Elbachschmied Cross stands beneath a linden tree on the Elbach hiking trail; the tree and trail provide its distinctive sense of place. The Gohinig Cross is a simple wooden cross fixed to a concrete base. It has a gabled roof covered with wooden boards and reinforced with protective sheet metal. A gabled roof consists of two sloping roof surfaces that meet at the ridge; at the Gohinig Cross, wood and sheet metal therefore describe different parts of the construction. At the Prahoinig Cross, by contrast, the figures are inside: Saint Clement and Saint Christopher are depicted there. Those interested in religious imagery will find a different focus here than in the structural details of the Gohinig Cross.
Fortress and historic routes
Hammerberg Fortress was built on the western spur of Magdalensberg. It thus complements the religious themes with a connection to the history of fortifications. An old footpath once led downhill past the Gohinig Cross from Soboth to LavamĂĽnd, via the Harrach inn and the farms known as vulgo Puschnig, vulgo Matschnig and Gohinig. The Elbachschmied Cross, by contrast, stands on the Elbach hiking trail. A road connection is also part of the local history: in 1954, the newly built road from LavamĂĽnd via Magdalensberg and St. Vinzenz to Eibiswald was opened. This gave LavamĂĽnd a connection to the Styrian road network. LavamĂĽnd features in both transport routes, but they follow different courses: the former footpath led downhill from Soboth to LavamĂĽnd; the road opened in 1954 ran from LavamĂĽnd via Magdalensberg and St. Vinzenz to Eibiswald.
Landscape and your stay
The “Untere Lavant” European Protected Area also lies within the cadastral municipality of Magdalensberg. It brings a different geographical scale into view than the church, fortress and crosses: here, the focus is on a named protected area, not an individual building. If Magdalensberg suits your travel plans, look for a holiday apartment that matches your dates and the area of interest that appeals to you most.
Discover more destinations: St. Ulrich, Sankt Gertraud, Eitweg, Sankt Martin, Klippitztörl, Sankt Margarethen Im Lavanttal, Sankt Paul Im Lavanttal, Obergösel
Return to the main travel overview: Wolfsberg.
