Finds from a Rhaetian settlement on Pirchboden above Fritzens have been dated to the 6th century BC. In the village, the parish church of St John the Baptist, the Fritzner Haupt and the village nativity scene tell other parts of the local history. The Rochelt Distillery and a winter hike to Maria Larch add further themes to consider when planning your stay.
Archaeology on Pirchboden
Finds from excavations at a Rhaetian settlement on Pirchboden above Fritzens have been dated to the 6th century BC. Another archaeological point of interest is a stag’s antler found there, on Pirchboden (“Müller-Eben”), in 2001. Archaeologists attributed parts of the antler to a Rhaetian angular harp dating back around 2,500 years; this identification should be understood as an archaeological hypothesis.
The story of the harp involves two distinct steps: parts of the fragments were reconstructed into a unique instrument, while identifying the antler pieces as belonging to the angular harp remains an interpretation of the find. The Rhaetian angular harp is on display at Fritzens municipal offices. At Pirchboden, you can therefore encounter both a settlement with a date assigned to it and a find whose significance has been inferred through the interpretation of individual fragments.
A clay bowl found in Fritzens is another archaeological point of reference. Its characteristic herringbone patterns and stamped eyes were used to assign it to the period known as the “Fritzner-Sanzeno culture.” The clay bowl and the stag’s antler thus tell different stories about their finds: the bowl is about placing an object within a named period, while the antler is about the possible identification of parts of an angular harp.
Church, devotional object and village nativity scene
The parish church of St John the Baptist in Fritzens is protected as a listed monument under an official order. It is listed accordingly in the Tyrolean monument register dated 23 June 2026. The history of the church also includes the “Fritzner Haupt,” a devotional object that fishermen retrieved from the Inn in 1637 and that was later transferred to the parish church. The year refers to its retrieval; it was transferred to the church at a later date.
The village nativity scene in Fritzens is another expression of local cultural history. It was created in the Rococo style by academic sculptor Georg Eigentler. Alongside the story of the Fritzner Haupt, it offers a different perspective on local history than the archaeological finds: here, the focus is on a devotional object with a recorded history of its retrieval and an artistically crafted nativity scene.
Distillery and winter hike
The Rochelt Distillery in Fritzens is open to visitors. Its visitor information lists opening hours; tours must be arranged within those hours. If you are planning a tour, schedule it during the stated opening hours and check them before your visit.
As a seasonal alternative to the cultural history themes, the winter hike to Maria Larch starts in the village centre of Fritzens. For this route, the season is part of the offering; for a distillery tour, by contrast, the opening hours determine the appropriate time. These differences can help you plan your stay around the time of year and the interests you would like to focus on.
For the distillery, remember to arrange your visit during opening hours; the hike is specifically a winter option.
Discover more destinations: Trins, Neustift Im Stubaital, Aldrans, Ranggen, Igls, Axams, Unterperfuss, Götzens
For the regional travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.
