Brief info:
- How high is the tower? 94m
- Are you allowed to go up? Yes, but only on foot via 239 stairs
- Is there an admission charge? Yes, but only 2.5€. Here you can find All tariffs
- Opening hours? May, June, Sept, Oct: Mon-Sat 10.00-16:30h/ July, Aug: Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00h, closed on Sundays and public holidays and in winter
- Is the climb worth it? Yes, you have a wonderful view over Villach and the surrounding area
The Villach parish tower is 94 m the highest church tower in Carinthia. The building was already famous in the Middle Ages, as the Italian chronicler Paolo Santonino wrote in 1486 that this tower was more magnificent than any other in Venice at that time.
The lower part of the tower is still medieval. Due to fire and earthquake damage, it has been rebuilt several times over the centuries; its current shape and height date from 1847. Today it is the property of the parish of St. Jacob, which has, however, granted the town the right to make it accessible as a viewing point; it has therefore been open to visitors since 1993.
The tower is set back to the west of the church and is connected to it by a vaulted porch. There are 48 steps to the gallery, and to get to the top you have to climb the 239 stairs climb. On the way up there is even a short one-way section because of the narrow path. From the top, however, you are rewarded with a great view.
The highest point is 94 metres and is therefore higher than everything in the immediate vicinity. In the south you can see as far as the Karawanks. Up the Drau valley you can see about 70km to the Hohe Tauern. In the immediate vicinity you can also see the Dobratsch (2166m), Gerlitzen (1909m) or the Mittagskogel (2145m).
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