ORF TV Show "9 Places - 9 Treasures" - Most Beautiful Place In Austria Is Friedenskircherl On Stoderzinken In Schladming-Dachstein Region

Great joy in the Styrian holiday region Schladming-Dachstein. The Friedenskircherl on the Stoderzinken in the municipality of Aich was voted the most beautiful place in Austria as part of the big ORF live show "9 places - 9 treasures". There were nine unique courses from all nine federal states to choose from. The choice was decided by public voting and jury evaluation. For Styria, "Styria Today" moderator Franz Neger and Hans Knauß beat the drum for the unique chapel at 1,898 meters.

After more points were only awarded for the Liechtenstein Gorge (state of Salzburg) by the celebrities in the studio, the representatives from the Ennstal were already able to speculate with the numerous mountain rescuers from Gröbming who had traveled with them to a place on the podium. At the end there was great joy: Hans Knauß received the coveted prize and took the victory home to the Schladming-Dachstein region.

Mathias Schattleitner, Managing Director of the Schladming-Dachstein Tourist Office, is delighted that the Friedenskircherl was chosen as the most beautiful place in Austria. “The Friedenskircherl on the Stoderzinken has always been an insider tip in the Schladming-Dachstein holiday region. Both locals and holiday guests are enthusiastic about the special location of the chapel on the rock of the Stoderzinken. They enjoy the view over the entire Ennstal and also use the place for inner contemplation and reflection."

The Friedenskircherl on the south face of the Stoderzinken is at an altitude of 1,898 meters in the municipality of Aich. The chapel was built 120 years ago with the aim of bringing people together, regardless of who they are, where they come from or what they believe in. The idyllic chapel has inspired poets, offered comfort to believers and bestowed heavenly memories on hikers. The well-known Austrian writer Peter Rosegger noted: "What should I write in these mountains full of sunshine, I can only remain silent and be blissful."

The Friedenskircherl was built in 1902 by Emil Ritter von Horstig (1845 - 1931), a well-known mining entrepreneur who descended from a Styrian noble family and is considered a pioneer in the development of the Stoderzinken. Today the place of worship, which is a listed building, is owned by the Gröbming Mountain Rescue Service, which lovingly takes care of its care and maintenance. The Friedenskircherl is not only a popular destination, but is also one of the most important landmarks of the Styrian Ennstal. "The victory of the Friedenskircherl makes us all very happy and for us mountain rescuers from Gröbming it means enormous appreciation for our voluntary work. It fills us with pride and encourages us to continue to take care of "our church"" says Christian Pieberl, local manager of the Gröbming mountain rescue service.

There is also great joy in the communities of Aich and Gröbming, who share the church as brothers. The two mayors Franz Danklmaier (Aich) and Thomas Reingruber (Gröbming) thank you for the support from all over the Ennstal and Austria.

Directions: By car on the B320 to Gröbming and via the Stoderzinken-Alpenstraße toll road to the Steinerhaus car park. Continue on foot (20 minutes) on a hiking trail to the Friedenskircherl.