Lienz: Churches, Chapels and Hiking Trails

Two themes take centre stage in Lienz: historic churches and chapels, and hiking trails, including a described section to Bachfeld and Plona. If you choose a destination based on specific interests, you can consider these aspects separately. The buildings tell of different periods of construction and a distinctive mural; the route descriptions identify notable sections and place names. This means Lienz offers both points of interest in cultural history and specific routes to help you plan your trip.

Historic religious buildings in Lienz, Bachfeld and Plona

The shell of Herz-Jesu Church in Lienz was completed in 1894, but the church was not consecrated until 1914. Two decades separate these dates. It is therefore important to distinguish between the completed shell and the later consecration when considering the building’s history: 1894 marks the first step, and 1914 the second. This chronology makes Herz-Jesu Church a historical landmark in its own right in Lienz.

The chapel in Bachfeld was built around 1670 by Johann Dähler out of gratitude. It is located on the road from Lienz-Stocken to Furnis, and onward to Plona and Rüthi. This location description brings together several named places along the road. For exploring the area’s cultural heritage, this offers a different point of reference from the dates associated with Herz-Jesu Church: the Bachfeld Chapel is notable for its founder, the reason it was built and its described location.

The Chapel of St. Anthony stands in the hamlet of Plona. It was built in 1955/56 and is best known for the mural by Ferdinand Gehr. The religious buildings can thus be distinguished by their particular features: the Bachfeld Chapel, founded around 1670; Herz-Jesu Church, whose shell was completed and which was consecrated in different years; and St. Anthony’s, with its mural. The chronology therefore spans the history of chapels from the 17th century to the middle of the 20th century.

Hiking trails and landmarks along the way

One hiking route passes the village of Lienz, follows the gravel trap embankment uphill to the second bridge, then continues along a footpath beside a deeply incised ravine to Bachfeld and Plona. The description lists a sequence of notable trail features: the embankment, a bridge and the ravine, followed by Bachfeld and Plona. If you plan to hike this section, check the current route and trail signs before setting out; conditions and markings can change.

Another hiking route follows the stony old village road from Obweg and Unter Stein-Litten to Lienz. Its landmarks differ from those on the route via the gravel trap embankment: here, the focus is on the old village road and Obweg and Unter Stein-Litten. The descriptions can be compared and distinguished by the places and landscape features they mention. One route passes the village, following the embankment and ravine to Bachfeld and Plona; the other describes the way to Lienz via the old village road.

Altstätten in its regional context

Altstätten lies in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley at the foot of the Appenzell hills. This historic market town has an old town, a diverse cultural offering, numerous shopping opportunities and plenty of nature across its extensive municipal area.

For the broader travel overview: Altstätten.