Jan-Willem

Netherlands - 16-Dec-24 -

We visited the Burg Hochosterwitz (also TWHS) and the Dom of Gurk by taking a little detour between Graz and the Hohe Tauern park. Gurk is a small town with a huge church that held the episcopal seat of Carinthia until the late 18th century. In the long list of all sorts of churches that are on the WHS list, this one might not blow away everybody at first sight, like some do. But it does have some nice historic features and art work. However, I doubt that this, combined with being the largest Romanesque building in Austria, is enough to become a WHS. It has been on the tentative list for 30 years now and I wouldn’t know what would have to change to get it listed.

Saint Hemma of Gurk, the patroness of Carinthia, is buried here and there are pilgrim routes from other parts of Austria and from Slovenia leading to Gurk.  

The church itself can be visited for free, the crypt costs 2,50 euro to be paid at the (big) Dom-shop. There are several paid options for guided tours and visiting the ‘treasure room’, but advanced reservation is required. The detailed website gives all information only in German (a bit too much information to translate it all here) and I don’t know if that means that tours are also only offered in German. Opening hours are daily except Mondays in the summer semester, but more limited in the winter season. For example, since the shop is closed in January and February, you can’t visit the crypt. So, depending of what you want to see, it may need some planning ahead.

There’s a nice café-restaurant just opposite the entrance of the premises for some refreshments or lunch before continuing your journey.

https://www.kath-kirche-kaernten.at/dioezese/organisation/C2509