Kennelbach bears striking traces of its church and industrial history. The Bregenzerach Gorge and paths such as the Weinbergweg are also among the themes that can shape a stay.
Churches and Chapels in Kennelbach
In 1465, the Dominican nuns of Hirschthal took up residence in the monastery and small church on the site of today’s cemetery. A former Dominican convent at Hirschtal burned down in 1796 in the area of today’s parish church. Construction of the neo-Gothic parish church dedicated to St Joseph began in spring 1890 because the old church had become too small. The church was consecrated on 28 October 1891.
The interior includes a spacious nave, a wooden ceiling and a large apse. Eleven of the 13 figurative windows were made by the Tyrolean Glass Painting Institute. In the sanctuary, a carved Nativity scene by Tyrolean artist Josef Bachlechner stands in place of the high altar. The triptych TOWARD THE LIGHT by Manfred Egender is part of the church’s modern art. Services are held at St Joseph’s Parish Church at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays and public holidays; check the latest information to confirm the time before visiting.
The Mariahilf Chapel on the Halde, also known as “Maria on the Halden,” is dedicated to Mater dolorosa, Our Lady of Sorrows. It was expanded in 1911 under parish priest Johann Gabl.
Textile Industry and Local History
The Jenny & Schindler textile mills were founded in Kennelbach in 1838 and were then the largest cotton-spinning mill in the monarchy. In 1882, the company was the first in Vorarlberg to introduce electric lighting. These milestones give local history a distinct industrial focus. The change of the church’s patron saint is also linked to Kennelbach’s development into an industrial community: St Joseph the Worker was chosen as patron, replacing St John the Baptist.
The Bregenzerach and Känzele
The Bregenzerach Gorge Valley in Kennelbach is part of a Natura 2000 site. Between the mouth of the Weißach and the Kennelbach weir, the Bregenzerach flows through a relatively narrow gorge. A description from 2020 calls the Natura 2000 section from Kennelbach to Bozenau an easy footpath. Check local conditions before setting out.
A specific route is also described for the Känzele via ferrata: all variants are reached via the Lower Känzele Trail and end at the Upper Känzele Trail. The municipality strives to keep hiking trails and benches in the best possible condition. Its website also refers to all designated hiking trails in Vorarlberg that are marked on the ground.
Weinbergweg and Villa Grünau
The Weinbergweg still connects the village of Kennelbach with Langenerstraße. Its name recalls the former vineyards of the monasteries of Mehrerau and Hirschtal. The path thus links a present-day local route with a piece of cultural history.
Villa Grünau hosts concert evenings featuring classical music from all eras and jazzy sounds in the park. The music association holds an annual village festival in the villa’s park on 4 and 5 July; check the event date for your trip. Villa Grünau also offers civil wedding ceremonies, non-religious ceremonies and a reception on its terrace. A date for a civil wedding must be coordinated with the Bregenz registry office.
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If a church service or event is part of your travel plans, take its date into account when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Bildstein, Mittelberg, Warth, Möggers, Hirschegg, Krumbach, Hohenweiler, Lauterach.
Return to the main travel overview: Bregenz.
