Passering: Church History, Traditions and Cycling Routes

Get to know Passering through its historical records, local Corpus Christi traditions, and cycling and pilgrimage routes. Its church history offers several points of reference from different periods: an early documentary mention, a Late Gothic renovation, and a Romanesque window that came to light only during a later renovation. Travel planning also offers routes with different focuses—from a signposted cycling connection to a long stage of the Hemma Pilgrimage Route.

Church History Across Several Periods

Passering was first mentioned in a document in 1124. It is assumed that a church already stood here at that time. This should be distinguished from the Late Gothic renovation of Passering’s church, which was consecrated on October 16, 1529. During a renovation in the 1960s, a very small Romanesque window came to light in the south wall above the sacristy door. These three details tell different stories: the year 1124 refers to Passering’s early mention and the possibility that a church already existed at the time, 1529 dates the consecration of the renovated church, and the window points to an older architectural feature.

The history of the filial church is also connected with the parish of Kappel. Under Emperor Joseph II, the church in Passering, which then belonged to this parish, was to be closed. Vigorous protests by the local population prevented its closure. The church’s history can therefore be understood not only through its building phases, but also through the resistance to its planned closure.

Corpus Christi and Local Tradition

During the annual Corpus Christi procession, participants pause at a wayside altar by the village cross in Passering, where a blessing is given with the Blessed Sacrament. During the same annual procession, they also stop to pray at the Leitgeb family cross at the entrance to the village. The two crosses mentioned here provide specific local points of reference for the tradition. Those interested in religious customs will find a different way to discover Passering here than through the church’s architectural features: the focus is on recurring procession customs and the places where participants stop along the way.

Cycling Routes and Rail Connections

The long-distance R7b cycling route runs along the right bank of the Silberbach near Passering railway platform. A route marked with the European protected-area cycling route symbol leads from Kappel am Krappfeld station to Passering; from Passering, cycling route R7B leads back to Kappel am Krappfeld station. This connection between the two stations provides a clear point of reference for planning. A short, hilly cycling route also leads from Kappel am Krappfeld station through fields and meadows to the Mannsberg-Boden European protected area, with the option of returning to Passering station. The routes described can be distinguished by their character and destination: one is a connection between stations, while the other runs through fields and meadows to the protected area. Check the signs and route conditions before cycling.

Kappel am Krappfeld and Passering stations can be reached by train from Klagenfurt and Friesach. Bikes can be taken on the S1 without a reservation; both stations have step-free access without stairs or ramps. Since this is current travel information, it is advisable to check the timetable and applicable operating conditions before your journey.

The Hemma Pilgrimage Route in Passering

The fifth stage of the Hemma Pilgrimage Route is 23.3 kilometers long and takes approximately six hours to walk. In Passering, the route crosses the road eastward by Museumswirt Reichmann and then follows a path along the Silberbach into the Krappfeld. The distance and approximate walking time help you estimate how long this stage will take; the description also identifies the specific section through Passering. If you are planning this route, you can use the approximate walking time as a guide and check the latest route description again beforehand.

Discover more travel destinations: Liebenfels, Treffling, Seebauer, Sankt Veit an der Glan, Flattnitz, Eberstein, Sadin, Klein Sankt Paul

Go to the higher-level travel overview: Sankt Veit An Der Glan.