“A church on a hill? That’s not unusual,” you might think. But the Filialkirche zum heiligen Jakobus in Gois, my friends, is no ordinary church. It sits atop a hill that whispers tales of ancient settlements, Roman whispers carried on the wind. The name Gois itself, you see, comes from the Latin “Collis,” meaning hill. This tells us that long ago, Romans called this place home. Imagine them, going about their daily lives, the very air thick with the scent of antiquity! The Filialkirche zum heiligen Jakobus, first mentioned in 1242, likely saw it all. But its story begins even earlier, shrouded in the mists of time. Legend has it that this was the church of the Lords of Gois, a noble family who ruled these lands between the 12th and 14th centuries. They worshipped within these very walls, their lives intertwined with the fate of the church. The Filialkirche zum heiligen Jakobus was more than just a place of worship; it was a powerhouse of wealth, the richest among the Siezenheim branch churches. Pilgrims, weary from their journeys to Großgmain, found solace and rest within its comforting embrace. These walls, they’ve absorbed centuries of prayers, hopes, and dreams. And they’re ready to share those stories with you. So, take a moment, breathe in the atmosphere, and let the spirit of the Filialkirche zum heiligen Jakobus wash over you. It’s a journey through time, waiting to be discovered.
Höglwörther See
Did you know that Kloster Höglwörth Abbey was once on an island in the Höglwörther See? This beautiful lake nestled