Sachsenburg: Cultural Heritage and Trails in the Drau Valley

Sachsenburg lies at an elevation of 552 m at the entrance to the Drau Valley, surrounded by the largely protected natural landscape of Carinthia’s mountains and lakes. If you’re looking for a hotel in Sachsenburg, the town’s cultural profile is a good place to start: cultural sites on Calvary Hill, the gallery in the Drau Bend, and routes on the mountain and along the Drau offer a range of highlights. This makes it easier to decide whether to include religious art, local history, contemporary art, or a route on foot, by bike, or on the water in your travel plans.

History and Cultural Heritage

The fortifications on the castle hill in Sachsenburg were demolished during the French retreat in the Napoleonic Wars of 1809. Hiking trails on Castle Hill were restored, revealing castle walls and a tower. Both the events of 1809 and the uncovered structures are part of the town’s history.

The Calvary complex consists of ten Stations of the Cross and two chapels. The Calvary Chapel was consecrated in 1753. The Stations of the Cross lead from the parish church up to Calvary Hill; from 2016, Carinthian artist Lisa Huber created them as woodcuts with painted backgrounds. Calvary Church is incorporated into the Way of the Cross as the twelfth station. Another religious landmark is the late Baroque Holy Sepulchre Chapel: the Holy Sepulchre contains a life-size carved body of Christ, and an Ascension fresco is on the rear wall.

Contemporary art is also part of the town’s cultural profile. The gallery in the Drau Bend was adapted as a space for contemporary art in 2012, as part of the “800 Years of Sachsenburg” celebrations. It is located in the former Austrian Federal Forests forester’s house. Here, the history of a former forester’s house meets its later use as an art gallery.

Walking and Cycling Routes

Sachsenburg lies directly on the Drau Cycle Path R1. From here, the cycle path leads towards Villach or Lienz. The Way of St. James also follows the Drau Cycle Path R1 from Sachsenburg as far as Lind in the Drau Valley. This section is about 7.3 kilometres long. The information provides two different points of reference for planning: an approximate length for the Way of St. James section to Lind, and the directions of Villach or Lienz for the Drau Cycle Path.

An annual parish tradition is the pilgrimage from Sachsenburg to Maria Pirkach. On 13 September 2025, about 100 people took part in the procession and Holy Mass. The date may vary; if you’re planning to attend the pilgrimage, check the parish’s latest information.

Connection to the Drau Paddle Trail

The Drau Paddle Trail also has a connection to Sachsenburg: its fourth stage starts at Camping Sachsenburg. The Drau Paddle Trail’s Basecamp Sachsenburg is open only with advance booking or reservation. If you’re planning to use the basecamp, take this access requirement into account and arrange your booking or reservation in advance. The stage start and access to the basecamp are two separate points of reference for planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Tschierweg, Rangersdorf, Lieserbrücke, Döllach, Bad Kleinkirchheim, Weinberg, Eisentratten, Radenthein.

Return to the overarching travel guide: Spittal An Der Drau.