In the footsteps of pilgrims in the Raab Valley - the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross
The tour offers great views of the Raabtal valley and takes you through shady mixed forests to a hill on which the beautiful
Breitegg church is located.
The pilgrimage church of Breitegg is located about 2 km outside of St. Ruprecht an der Raab on Calvary Hill, which extends to the north of the market. A wooden tower was replaced by a wooden prayer house at the present location of the church in the 18th century. Today's church "Zum Gegeißelten Heiland" was built on this site from 1845 to 1850. The three-bay building with a vestibule, semi-circular apse and double-towered façade was built in historical forms by master mason Jakob Gauster from Dörfl. The nearby church on the Weizberg served as a model for the towers. The church was consecrated in 1853. The painting of the church was completed in 1890 with historical decorative elements on the pilasters and ceiling as well as with pictures referring to the Passion of Christ on the vault, rear wall and ceiling. The chapel in the vestibule houses a plastic replica of the Mariahilf image of grace from Graz. Today, the church is also popular for devotions.
Characteristics
The tour in numbers
medium
Level of difficulty
Map & downloads
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More information
The starting point is in Unterfladnitz, a district of the market town of St. Ruprecht in Eastern Styria, and is easily accessible via the A2 motorway from Vienna (approx. 2 hours) and Graz (approx. 30 minutes).
Arrival from Vienna and from Graz: On the A2 from Vienna and from Graz, take motorway exit 161 / Gleisdorf West in the direction of B54/B64. Follow the B65 / Gleisdorf federal road until you reach the B54 / Wechselbundesstraße. At the roundabout take the second exit to the B64 / Rechberg-Bundesstraße. After about 6 km turn right to Unterfladnitz.
Route planner
- We start the tour at the village cross in Unterfladnitz behind the Heinzl inn and the sawmill. and briefly follow the road northwards to cross the B64 federal road via a bridge.
- Soon we turn right and follow the yellow signs. Here you will soon come to the first station of the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross. We follow an asphalt path for a short while before turning left into a forest path.
- Here the Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross goes beautifully through a forest always slightly uphill. Pause at the individual stations and enjoy the shady beautiful forest.
- After about one kilometre, we emerge from the forest and can already see the Breitegg pilgrimage church in front of us with its beautifully designed forecourt, which invites you to take a rest. Take your time and admire the church, which is modelled on the Weizberg church.
- Tip: After visiting the church, taking a photo or two of the church and the wonderful landscape of the Raab valley with its fields and gardens that lies before us, we should invest another 800 metres or so and visit the Buschenschank Gansrieglhof, which is only a short distance further in the direction of Weiz.
- After the well-deserved refreshment, we hike past the Breitegger Church again and march south - to St. Ruprecht an der Raab. Here we hike along the Breitegger Kreuzweg until, after about one kilometre, we turn sharply left towards Unterfladnitz to get back to our starting point.
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Wayside shrine Breiteggerweg, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © Steininger | Steininger
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Chapel on Breiteggerweg, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © Steininger | Steininger
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Church, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © Oststeiermark Tourismus
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Breitegger Church, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Martina Steininger | (c) Martina Steininger
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Breitegger Church, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Günther Steininger | (c) Günther Steininger
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Hiking trail sign Unterfladnitz Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © Günther Steininger | Günther Steininger
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Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © Oststeiermark Tourismus
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Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Günther Steininger | (c) Günther Steininger
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Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Günther Steininger | (c) Günther Steininger
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Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Günther Steininger | (c) Günther Steininger
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Forest Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Günther Steininger | (c) Günther Steininger
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Breitegger Church, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © (c) Günther Steininger | (c) Günther Steininger
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St. Ruprecht an der Raab Image Movie | © St. Ruprecht an der Raab - Tourismusverband
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Way of the Cross, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © St. Ruprecht an der Raab - Tourismusverband
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Breitegg Church, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © St. Ruprecht an der Raab - Tourismusverband
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Breitegger Church, St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © St. Ruprecht an der Raab - Tourismusverband
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Tourism Region St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Eastern Styria | © Oststeiermark Tourismus
What the weather will be like
St. Ruprecht an der Raab (379m)
Dry and bright with plenty of sunshine, clouds will be rare.
Fairly sunny with scattered clouds. Showers will be possible towards evening.
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