Straden, an idyllic wine village in southern Styria, is known for its beautiful hilly landscape and historic churches. The town consists of four striking churches that stand on a hill and are a popular destination for pilgrims and those interested in culture. In addition to the impressive buildings, Straden offers numerous opportunities to enjoy the southern Styrian wine landscape, whether on hikes through the vineyards or tastings in the local wine taverns.
Straden has just under 3,500 inhabitants, but the four churches and three church towers that characterize the pilgrimage site can be seen from afar. Straden is located at an altitude of 376 meters and is a wonderful vantage point. The priest "Henricus de Merin" was first mentioned in 1188, and the town was only later renamed Straden. It is best to park your car in one of the well-marked parking spaces, as the area inside the beautifully preserved castle wall is largely car-free. If you stroll up along the castle wall, you will inevitably reach the town. The first sight is already at the old defensive wall.
sundial on the defensive wall The sundial, dated 1521, is one of the oldest preserved sundials in Styria. In 2000, it was restored and fitted with a pole that ensures the accurate reading of mass and prayer times.
This church was first mentioned in 1188. It is originally a Romanesque three-aisled structure with a Gothic nave. Noteworthy inside the church is the miraculous image of the "Himmelsbergerin", a Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary from 1520 on the main altar. The parish church's external appearance is dominated by the massive five-storey tower topped by an onion dome. The cemetery was located around the parish church until 1819. Today, the square with the parish garden is located here, in which a cedar from the late 18th century grows.
The double church is still integrated into the walled churchyard, which protected the inhabitants from the raids of the Haiduks and Křiš (on the outer wall there is the aforementioned sundial). Since the building was completed in 1535, the double church has retained its current appearance.
In the Sebastian Church (Upper Church) the so-called “Stradener wickerwork stones” from the early Middle Ages are on display, which were found during work in the rectory. The altarpiece of the church shows St. Sebastian in the midst of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. During the plague in the 16th century, the upper floor of the Sebastian Church served as a popular pilgrimage site. Directly next to the entrance to the Sebastian Church, steps lead down through the late Gothic shoulder arch portal to the lower church “To the Sorrowful Mother of God”, Underground Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. This church is very similar in size to the upper church. The round windows behind the altar were probably added when the defensive wall was built. The ceiling painting from 1913/14, which is decorated with scenes from the New Testament, deserves special attention. It is six of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and the Seventh Sorrow, the lamentation group, is on the high altar.
This church is located at the highest point in Straden. It is a hall church from the 17th century with late baroque interior. The high altar shows St. Florian facing the flames of a burning chimney with a blessing gesture. According to legend, a knight who was able to escape from the enemy siege and jumped into the depths unharmed and thus escaped, is said to have vowed to build the church. Tip: in this church you can buy printed booklets about Straden for €3. In them you can find out everything about the churches and the town in detail.