Poitschach: Castle, Church and Paths through the Gorge

Poitschach combines a remarkable local history with paths through a landscape shaped by water. The village lies at the entrance to the Poitschach Gorge of the Tiebelbach stream. The Tiebel was originally called Feistritz and has shaped the Poitschach Gorge over the centuries. Anyone looking for a combination of cultural history, the regional landscape and active pursuits for their holiday will find various starting points here for planning their own trip.

Cultural History Around Poitschach

One of the defining buildings is Poitschach Castle. The two-storey building has a rectangular floor plan and a tower built onto its south side. Under an official notice pursuant to Section 3, the castle is protected as a historic monument. For visitors interested in culture, it is an important part of the village’s history.

The history of the iron industry is also part of Poitschach’s character. An iron hammer mill was opened here in 1591. When the church was founded in 1713, Poitschach was a growing centre of the iron industry. Anyone exploring Poitschach’s history will encounter religious architectural history and an industrial past.

The “Fourteen Holy Helpers” Filial Church

The private “Fourteen Holy Helpers” filial church in Poitschach is dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers and was built in the Baroque style. Its high altar is also dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The half-length busts of the saints are painted in colour and gilded. The church is also one of the few places of worship in the Alpine-Adriatic region dedicated as a group to the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Those interested in sacred art and regional traditions can take this focus into account when planning their days.

Cycling and Hiking Trails through the Poitschach Gorge

Poitschach can also be experienced via various routes. The R 2 C Turracher Cycle Path leads from Feldkirchen via Poitschach and Himmelberg to the B 95 Turracher Straße. The R 5 B Gurk Cycle Path leads via Wachsenberg to Poitschach, where it joins the R 2 C Turracher Cycle Path. This provides different named routes for tour planning, with clearly described points where they connect.

A tour through the Poitschach Gorge from Feldkirchen is 20 kilometres long and suitable for cyclists, runners and walkers. Take this route into account when planning your day. The “Path of Hydropower” circular hiking trail ends in Poitschach at the Francis turbine wheel built in 1904. Those who prefer a longer hike can consider a route from Waiern via Metzing and Kraß through the Poitschach Gorge to Poitschach and back via Powirtschach. An alternative return route leads via Schleichenfeld and Tobitsch and includes some elevation gain.

Choose Poitschach as a Holiday Destination

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is crucial which experiences are to be the focus of your trip. Poitschach is particularly suited to a plan that combines architectural and local history with paths through the gorge. On one day, you can explore Poitschach Castle, the history of the iron industry and the filial church; on another day, the 20-kilometre tour, a hike or a cycling route can take centre stage.

Families and travel groups with different interests can make their days varied in this way without treating every activity alike: those interested in culture can focus on the buildings and history, while walkers, runners and cyclists can include the mentioned paths in their plans. When choosing your accommodation, consider which activities you would like to combine and which daily rhythm suits them. A holiday apartment in Poitschach is therefore particularly interesting for travellers who want to organise their stay around the specific cultural experiences and paths of the village.

More Local Pages

For a broader overview, you can also visit the local pages for Sankt Urban, Steindorf Am Ossiacher See, Stiegl, Himmelberg, Wiedweg, Gnesau, Turracherhöhe and Glanegg.

To the overarching travel overview: Feldkirchen.