Gois brings together the Salzburg Way of St. James, the branch church of St. James the Elder, the Goiser Meadow nature reserve and local traditional stories. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: a signposted pilgrimage route, cycling and walking trails in a protected area, and a church with historical and architectural features. You can focus on the route, nature or culture and choose what interests you most about Gois.

The Way of St. James and nature trails

The Salzburg section of the Way of St. James is marked by 50 yellow-and-blue signs. The route follows the Glan to the next St. James’ Church in Gois. From Leopoldskron, the Way of St. James continues to this church. This places Gois as the destination on the route described; the signs mark the Salzburg section. Both the route along the Glan and the signs and church destination are useful points of reference for navigating the pilgrimage route.

Goiser Meadow is designated as a nature reserve, and cycling and walking trails run through it. Those who would rather explore Gois through outdoor activities will find two types of trails here. Unlike the Way of St. James, which is a pilgrimage route leading to the church, the trails through Goiser Meadow are primarily for cycling or walking. This provides a clear distinction for planning: the pilgrimage route and church destination on the one hand, and trails through the protected area on the other.

St. James’ Church: history and architecture

The branch church of St. James the Elder in Gois is protected as a historic monument under an ordinance. A list of monuments published by the Federal Monuments Authority on 28 May 2024 includes the church as a protected site. It was first mentioned in the 13th century. Its architectural features include a Romanesque nave and a Late Gothic choir. Late medieval paintings were uncovered inside.

These features offer different points of reference for understanding the church’s cultural significance: its first recorded mention provides a historical context, the nave and choir describe its architecture, and the paintings add a feature of its interior. The Romanesque nave and Late Gothic choir refer to different architectural features of the same building. Together with the late medieval paintings, they give the church a clearly defined appeal for travellers interested in church architecture and art history.

Aperschnalzen and music history

Local traditions also give Gois its own cultural character. Aperschnalzen has three adult groups and three youth groups. This division into adult and youth groups makes the structure of the tradition tangible and distinguishes it from the architectural history of St. James’ Church.

Another cultural connection is Johann Berger, the Stumpflbauer in Gois. He founded the Wals Traditional Costume Music Band, whose history dates back to 1858. This connects Gois to the band’s history through one person, without conflating its local connection with the church or trail themes. Aperschnalzen and music history thus represent different facets: a tradition with separately identified adult and youth groups, and the founding story of a traditional music band.

Discover more destinations: Siezenheim, Anthering, Neumarkt Am Wallersee, Seeham, Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Köstendorf bei Salzburg, Seekirchen Am Wallersee, Thalgau.

For the wider travel overview: Salzburg-Flachgau.