“A chapel born from fear, can you imagine?” whispered a tour participant, their voice echoing slightly in the quiet anticipation. Before you stands the Kapelle zur Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit, a testament to both the fragility of life and the enduring power of faith. It all began in 1625. The bubonic plague, a terrifying specter, was sweeping through Salzburg. Two men, Georg Gschwendtner and Gabriel Schaller, watched in horror as the disease ravaged their city. Yet, amidst the suffering, their families were spared. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they erected a humble shrine – a “Feldschacher” – dedicated to the patron saints of plague victims, Sebastian and Rochus. This was only the beginning of the story of the Kapelle zur Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit. A violent storm toppled their heartfelt tribute. Undeterred, they used it as an opportunity to build something more enduring: a chapel. The first mass was held here in 1699. Even this structure faced its own trials. A lightning strike in 1710 reduced it to rubble. Yet again, the descendants of the original builders, Max Gschwendtner and Christian Pauernfeind, refused to let the dream die. They rebuilt the chapel in 1714, the same Kapelle zur Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit you see today. The chapel’s simple exterior, a rectangular structure with a small sacristy and a pointed roof, might seem unassuming at first glance. Step inside, you’ll discover a beautiful marble altar, a gift from the master stonemason Georg Doppler. The Kapelle zur Heiligsten Dreifaltigkeit is a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience. It serves as a solemn reminder that even in the darkest of times, faith and gratitude can illuminate the path forward.
Höglwörther See
Did you know that Kloster Höglwörth Abbey was once on an island in the Höglwörther See? This beautiful lake nestled