If you are considering a stay in Lienz, two specific themes can help you plan: the construction history of the Church of the Sacred Heart and the chapels in Bachfeld and Plona, as well as hiking trails featuring a gravel trap dam, a stream ravine and an old village road. One hiking route passes the village of Lienz on its way towards Bachfeld and Plona; another reaches Lienz via the stony old village road. Historic buildings and specific stretches of trail thus offer distinct starting points for planning your trip.
Churches and Chapels: Construction History in Several Stages
The shell of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Lienz was completed in 1894; it was not handed over for its intended use until 1914. The dates mark different stages: 1894 saw the shell completed, while 1914 marked its handover for use. Twenty years lie between the two events. This distinction is important to the construction history: completion of the shell and handover did not take place at the same time.
The chapel in Bachfeld was built around 1670 by Johann Dähler in gratitude. It is located on the road from Lienz-Stocken to Furnis and onwards to Plona and Rüthi. The hamlet of Plona is home to the Chapel of St. Anthony, built in 1955/56 and best known for its wall painting by Ferdinand Gehr. The construction dates are almost three centuries apart; the details mentioned also differ: the builder and benefactor are known for the chapel in Bachfeld, while the wall painting is noted for St. Anthony’s.
Hiking Trails and the Wider Regional Setting
One hiking route passes the village of Lienz and follows the gravel trap dam uphill to the second bridge. A footpath then runs alongside a deeply incised stream ravine to Bachfeld and Plona. The route thus leads from the dam over the bridge to a path beside the ravine and names two specific destinations. Trail conditions and signage may change, so check these details before setting out.
Another hiking route follows the stony old village road from Obweg and Unter Stein-Litten to Lienz. The route descriptions focus on different features: one highlights the gravel trap dam, bridge and ravine, while the other emphasizes the stony village road and the sequence of places Obweg, Unter Stein-Litten and Lienz. This comparison gives you two specific features to consider when deciding whether you are more interested in landscape features or the routes between places.
Altstätten provides a broader regional setting. This traditional market town lies in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley at the foot of the hills of Appenzellerland. It has a historic old town, a varied cultural offering and numerous shopping opportunities; there is also plenty of nature throughout its extensive municipal area. Altstätten thus complements the view of Lienz’s individual religious buildings and stretches of hiking trail with a broader perspective on a market town offering culture, shopping and nature.
For a broader travel overview: Altstätten.
