Brief information:
- Where is Straden? In the thermal and volcanic region of southeast Styria
- What is there to see in Staden? In the small pilgrimage site there are 4 churches
- How much time should I allow? We would recommend about 1.5 hours
Straden General
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 lies at an altitude of 376 meters above sea level and is also a wonderful vantage point.
In 1188 the priest “Henricus de Merin” was first mentioned, only later was the place 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 end up in the town. The first sight is right at the old defensive wall.
The sights
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.
The churches
Main Parish Church of St.Maria am Himmelsberg
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, this is where the square with the parish garden is located, in which a cedar tree from the late 18th century grows.
Double Church of St.Sebastian and Our Lady of Sorrows
The double church is still integrated into the walled churchyard, which protected the inhabitants from the raids of the Haiduks and Křiš (the aforementioned sundial is located on the outer wall). 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 place of pilgrimage.
Right next to the entrance to the Sebastian Church, steps lead down through the late Gothic shoulder arch portal to the lower church “Our Lady of Sorrows”,
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. These are six of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, and the Seventh Sorrow, the lamentation group, is on the high altar.
Filial Church of St. Florian
This church is located at the highest point of 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 fled from the enemy siege and threw himself into the depths unharmed and was able to escape, 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.
Short info:
- Where is Straden located? In the thermal and volcanic region of Southeast Styria
- What is there to see in Staden? There are 4 churches in the small place of pilgrimage
- How much time should I schedule? We would advise about 1.5 hours
Straden in general
Straden has just under 3,500 inhabitants, but the four churches and three church towers that characterize the place of pilgrimage can be seen from afar. Straden is 376 meters above sea level and is a wonderful vantage point.
In 1188 the pastor “Henricus de Merin” was first mentioned, only later the place was renamed Straden. Even today, the name Merin is often found in the village.
It is best to park your car in one of the well-marked parking spaces, because 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 village. The first sight is already at the old defensive wall.
The Sights
Sundial on the defensive wall
The sundial, dated 1521, is one of the oldest preserved sundials in Styria. In the year 2000 it was restored and provided with a pole stick, which ensures that the times of mass and prayer can be read with certainty.
The churches
Main parish church of St. Maria am Himmelsberg
This church was first named in 1188. It is an originally Romanesque three-aisled complex with a Gothic nave. Noteworthy inside the church is the miraculous image of the “Himmelsbergerin”, a Gothic statue of Mary from 1520 on the main altar.
The outer appearance of the parish church is dominated by the massive five-storey tower with an onion dome. Until 1819 there was a cemetery around the parish church. Today there is a square with a parish garden in which a cedar tree from the late 18th century grows.
Double Church of St.Sebastian and Maria Pain
The double church is still integrated into the walled churchyard, which protected the inhabitants from the raids of the Hajdú and Kurzen (the aforementioned sundial is on the outer wall). Ever since the building was completed in 1535, the double church has retained its present form.
The so-called “Stradener wattled stones” from the early Middle Ages, which were found during work in the vicarage, are exhibited in the Sebastian Church (upper church). The altarpiece of the church shows St. Sebastian in the midst of the fourteen holy helpers St. Sebastian's Church, by the way, as a much-visited place of pilgrimage.
Directly next to the entrance to the Sebastiankirche, steps lead down through the late Gothic shoulder arch portal, the lower church “To the Sorrowful Mother of God”,
Deep Church of Our Lady of Sorrows
This church is very similar in size to the upper church. The round windows behind the altar may have been added when the defensive wall was built. The ceiling painting from 1913/14, which decorates scenes from the New Testament, deserves special attention. These are six of Mary's seven sorrows, the seventh sorrow, the group of mourning, is present on the high altar.
Branch Church of St. Florian
This church is situated at the highest point of Straden. It is a hall church from the 17th century with a late baroque interior.
The high altar shows St. Florian confronting the flames of a burning chimney with a gesture of blessing. According to legend, a knight who, fleeing from the enemy siege, threw himself down on his horse unharmed and thus escaped, vowed to build the church.
Tip: in this church you can buy printed booklets about Straden for €3. There you can find out everything about the churches and the place in detail.
English 
German