Birgitz: Church, Hohe Birga and Trails

Birgitz offers a range of points of interest for a stay: the parish church of the Visitation of Mary, Hohe Birga as a Rhaetian settlement site, and trails and leisure activities. The themes range from sacred art and archaeological history to hiking, mini golf and a tobogganing option that depends on snow. You can distinguish between the trails by their specific features to help you choose. This lets you focus on cultural history or outdoor activities.

Parish Church of the Visitation of Mary

The interior of the parish church of the Visitation of Mary was renovated in 2008; its altars date from the same period as the church building. The altarpiece “The Annunciation of Mary” by Johann Georg Grasmair, however, is subject to a seasonal restriction: it is shown only during Advent. If this painting is an important reason for your visit, check the current practice before you go. The names also refer to different things: the Visitation of Mary is the name of the parish church, while the Annunciation of Mary is the name of the altarpiece. The renovation and the display of the painting belong to different periods: a renovation carried out in 2008 and a work of art shown only seasonally.

Hohe Birga and Rhaetian history

Hohe Birga lies north of Birgitz and was a Rhaetian settlement site more than 2,000 years ago. This historical connection therefore reaches far beyond the church renovation of 2008. The Birgitz Rhaetian Museum displays finds from Hohe Birga and a reconstruction of a Rhaetian house. Finds from the named settlement site and a reconstructed house form thus offer different ways to explore Rhaetian history.

Hiking trails and places to rest

The Western Mittelgebirge Panorama Trail runs from Mutters via Natters, Götzens, Birgitz and Axams to Grinzens. There are plenty of benches along the trail. Hiking Trail 22 to Birgitzer Alm starts at the church in Birgitz and climbs through lovely meadows and along a forest track. The trails differ in how they are described: the panorama trail is identified by its sequence of places, while Hiking Trail 22 is described by its starting point, meadows, forest track and ascent. There is also a small rest area right by the Hohe Birga excavation site. The places to pause are described differently: benches along the panorama trail and a rest area right at the site.

Tobogganing and mini golf

If there is enough snow, the second section of the Birgitzer Alm–Adelshof–Birgitz toboggan run can be extended from Adelshof down to Birgitz. If you plan to take this extension on a winter day, check the snow conditions in advance. There is a small mini-golf course near Birgitz village square. The two leisure activities are distinguished by their specific points of reference: the tobogganing option depends on the section and snow conditions, while the mini-golf course is identified by its location near the village square.

Discover more destinations: Schmirn, Reith bei Seefeld, Hatting, Mils bei Hall, Scharnitz, Sistrans, Flaurling, Municipality in Tyrol

View the overview of the wider region: Innsbruck-Land.