Churches & monasteries. In the Hall-Wattens region

The Basilica of St Mary and St Magdalene’s Monastery in the Halltal valley are both situated in Absam. They are also both among our places of spiritual energy in the Hall-Wattens region. Explore these special sites and find some peace and tranquillity.

The parish church of St Laurentius and St Anne’s Church are situated in Baumkirchen. Whilst the parish church of St Laurentius dates from 1310 and was built in the Gothic style, St Anne’s Church dates from 1650 and was built in the Early Baroque style.

The parish church, which was built in 1933 in just 99 days by the residents of Fritzens on the site of the neo-Gothic chapel, houses the miraculous ‘Fritzner Haupt’, which originated from a destroyed crucifix or a ‘Lord in Misery’. It was pulled from the River Inn by fishermen in 1637 and later transferred to the parish church. Most of the sculptural work was carried out by the local woodcarver Hans Kirchmayer from Mils. The four bells were cast by the Graßmayr company and consecrated in 1948. The painter Franz Xaver Fuchs painted the church’s ceiling murals in 1936.

The tranquil village of Gnadenwald is home to the parish church of St Michael, St Martin’s Monastery and the Chapel of Our Lady of Protection on the high plateau near the Walder Alm. Pilgrimage routes such as the Way of St James pass through Gnadenwald, making it a truly special spot in the Hall-Wattens region.

Hall in Tyrol boasts a wealth of churches and distinctive church towers. Alongside the parish church of St Nicholas, Hall is also home to the Damenstift, the Jesuit Church and St Magdalene’s Chapel. All of these can be visited as part of a guided tour of the town.

The first documented mention of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary dates back to 1215. The parish church was destroyed in a fire in 1791. Reconstruction began in 1792 and the consecration took place in 1804. Renovations and restorations were carried out in 1908, 1964 and 1976/77. Despite these alterations, the late Baroque impression has been preserved. The interior of the church is characterized by neoclassical changes. Rudolf Margreiter created the ceiling frescoes in 1907.

The parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was first mentioned in a document in 1244. However, the patron saint of the parish church indicates an older age, which was confirmed by archaeological excavations during the restoration of the church in 1986. There is evidence of an early Christian place of worship in the area of today's presbytery dating back to the 5th century

The parish church of St Thomas in Tulf is first mentioned in a document from the Wilten Abbey Archives dating from 1332. In 1333, an indulgence of 40 days was granted ‘pro Capella S. Thomae’, and the cemetery was consecrated in 1486. The present-day tower was built in 1718, whilst the church itself is in the late Gothic style.

The interior was redesigned in 1766/67. The ceiling fresco and the altarpiece, which are the work of the famous Baroque painter Martin Knoller, date from this period.
Between 1977 and 1988, the Karlskirche was renovated at a cost of 33 million schillings and is now one of the most beautiful churches located directly on a highway.

"We have been very lucky here in Wattens. We should thank God for it and build him a beautiful church". These words were spoken by company founder Daniel Swarovski I on his deathbed, and in accordance with his wish, construction of a church began in 1954. The timelessly modern church on the generously designed Marienplatz was completed in 1958 and consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.