In Serfaus, the story of the village stretches from a Christian community in the 5th/6th century to the beginnings of modern tourism. Churches and the cultural trail offer different ways to explore this history; the underground railway and named attractions provide further specific points of reference for planning your trip.
Churches, architectural history and traces of the past
The parish church of the Assumption of Mary is Late Gothic and was built around 1500. These details set a clear framework: they identify the church’s architectural style and give an approximate date. The pilgrimage church “Our Lady in the Forest” spans a different period: it features early Christian, Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements. Those interested in architecture will therefore encounter both a Late Gothic church and a building with elements from several periods in Serfaus.
During renovations to the pilgrimage church in the early 1960s, fragments of 14th-century frescoes were uncovered. The history of this church building thus brings together medieval paintings and a specific chapter in its more recent construction history. Recent grave finds provide another point of reference in time: they show that a Christian community already existed in Serfaus in the 5th/6th century.
The Muiren Chapel can also be placed in context through a clear sequence of events. During the plague of 1634/35, the community vowed to build the plague chapel, or Muiren Chapel, and began construction. In 1637, Anton Crosini, auxiliary bishop of Brixen, consecrated the chapel. Muirenhügel offers panoramic views and is also an important place for experiencing local history.
The cultural trail and its themes
The cultural trail in Serfaus offers insights into the centuries-old use of the fields for agriculture and mining. Its themes also include sacred sites, historic inns and the beginnings of modern tourism. Its scope therefore extends beyond individual buildings, taking in economic and social developments as well. For your choice, this means that the churches offer specific examples of architectural history, while the cultural trail brings together various aspects of life and change in Serfaus.
If you are primarily interested in architectural styles and historical periods, the two churches offer different starting points. If you are more interested in how the village has changed, the cultural trail offers a broader thematic perspective. This distinction can help you decide what to focus on, without presenting the individual places as a single sequence of stops.
Getting around and more experiences
The Serfaus underground railway can carry up to 3,000 people per hour to the cable car’s valley station, operating so quietly that it is barely audible. It is free of charge and produces no noise or emissions. This provides a specific connection to the valley station, but does not include information about operating hours.
A 450-metre-long contemplative trail starts at the Hög Family Light Chapel. Along it, seven sculptures artistically depict the Lord’s Prayer. The route combines a specific religious theme with a clearly stated length. If you plan to ride the Serfauser Sauser, you can get tickets directly at the attraction’s starting point or at the cable car ticket office in Serfaus. Check seasonal opening dates before your trip.
You can choose what to focus on based on your interests: architectural history, the broader themes of the cultural trail, or a specific experience such as the contemplative trail. Muirenhügel adds panoramic views and a connection to local history to these options.
Discover more destinations: Sankt Christoph Am Arlberg, Galtür, Zams, Faggen, Tösens, Ried Im Oberinntal, Piller, Spiss.
Return to the main travel overview: Landeck.
