Lavant: Archaeology, Churches and Trails

Visitors planning a stay in Lavant and interested in history will find several closely connected themes at Lavanter Kirchbichl: Roman houses, traces of early Christian churches, and the parish and pilgrimage church of St. Ulrich. The area is ideal for a trip focused on archaeological and ecclesiastical architectural history. When choosing a hotel, a forest trail to a waterfall or a cross-country ski trail may also be important; both add specific outdoor activities to the picture of the village.

Archaeology at Lavanter Kirchbichl

Lavanter Kirchbichl is situated at an elevation of 810 metres and is surrounded by deep ravines on three sides; it can only be accessed from the northeast. Two large Roman houses have been preserved there beneath a protective roof. The remains of an early Christian bishop’s church are located west of the parish and pilgrimage church of St. Ulrich. Archaeological investigations also revealed an early Christian predecessor church beneath St. Ulrich, which can be dated to the 5th century. These two church-related findings should not be confused: the remains of the bishop’s church are west of the church, while the predecessor church was identified beneath it. The gate complex on Kirchbichl was built no earlier than between the 4th and 6th centuries AD. This means that Kirchbichl has several distinct archaeological points of interest rather than a single finding.

Church architecture from early Christianity to the Baroque

St. Ulrich acquired its present appearance through an extensive Baroque renovation around 1770. The early Christian predecessor church beneath St. Ulrich and the parish church’s present appearance therefore represent clearly distinct periods. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul offers a different point of interest: its exterior walls are partly made of Roman marble blocks. The comparison highlights different aspects of church architectural history—the renovation of St. Ulrich and the exterior wall material of Saints Peter and Paul.

Museum and historical periods

The exhibits at the Lavant Museum provide a cross-section of the history of Kirchbichl, spanning from the Bronze Age to the Gothic period. They include pottery dating to around 1600 BC; 15th-century frescoes and architectural elements from the parish church of St. Ulrich extend the timeline to the Gothic period. This cross-section thus encompasses both artefacts and elements of ecclesiastical architecture. The Lavant Archaeological Exhibition Room is located at the foot of Kirchbichl, in the substructure of the funeral hall.

Forest trail, waterfall and cross-country ski trail

The Lavant forest trail starts in Wacht, a district of the municipality of Lavant. It first follows a wide gravel path, then a narrower, easy-to-walk trail to the Frauenbach Waterfall. Access to the forest trail may be restricted at certain times due to military exercises. Check when access is permitted before planning your visit.

The five-kilometre-long “Lavant-Runde” cross-country ski trail has artificial snow cover and a lighting system along its entire length. This offers a choice of activities: a walk to the waterfall and a cross-country ski trail with continuous artificial snow cover and lighting. The Drau Cycle Path also runs along the banks of the Drau towards Carinthia in the vicinity of Lavant.

Discover more destinations: Bruggen, Arnbach, Abfaltersbach, Matrei In Osttirol, Gaimberg, Gsaritzen, Thurn, Sankt Leonhard

Go to the main travel overview: Lienz.