Discover hiking and history in Kolsass

When planning a trip to Kolsass, two distinct interests stand out: getting active on a circular hiking trail between Wattens and Kolsass, and exploring the town’s ecclesiastical and industrial history. The route is shaped by its landscape and a chapel along the way, while the historical references span several centuries. This can help you decide whether you would rather combine your stay with a hike or with local historical and cultural attractions.

Hiking and cycling around Kolsass

A circular hiking trail runs between Wattens and Kolsass. It leads through meadows and forest to the Lourdes Chapel in Merans, then back via the Archenwald forest. The Lourdes Chapel is a special stop along the way, giving the hike a historical and cultural dimension. The landscape and destination offer different points of interest: alongside the meadows and forest sections, a specific chapel is a focal point. If you include a hike in your travel plans, this sequence can help you picture the route described. Route details may change, so check the current trail route before setting off.

The Inn Cycle Path is another local feature to consider when planning an active trip: it passes by the village of Kolsass. In summer, the Inn Cycle Path through the Tyrolean Unterland runs from Kolsass to Innsbruck, 20 kilometres away. Unlike the circular hiking trail, this is a cycling connection with Innsbruck as its specific destination. If you take the Inn Cycle Path into account, you can factor the information about the summer connection into your plans and check the current route conditions.

Church and architectural history

The parish’s history goes back a long way: in 788, Kolsass parish was elevated to the status of a mother parish. A priest in Kolsass is first mentioned in a document dating to 1233. These two dates refer to different historical milestones: the parish’s elevation and the first written record of a priest. The church itself also has several phases of construction. A Romanesque church was remodelled in the Gothic style in the 14th century, and the nave was enlarged in the 17th century. For architecture enthusiasts, this provides a chronological sequence from the Romanesque building to its Gothic remodelling and later extension. The Catholic parish church of the Visitation of Mary, at Kirchplatz 3, is protected as a historic monument by ordinance.

There are currently six protected historic properties within the municipality. In addition to the parish church, these include the cemetery and cemetery chapel at Kirchplatz 3, a wayside cross near Kirchplatz 3, the wayside shrine at Fiechterweg 4, and the mural on the connecting corridor between the primary school and kindergarten. These listed properties are also protected by ordinance. The group therefore includes church buildings, religious markers in public spaces, and a mural.

Mining and the history of livelihoods

Alongside agriculture, mining was an important source of income in Kolsass for several centuries, particularly in the hamlet of Mühlbach. Iron ore was processed in smelting works from the 14th to the 16th century. Gold was panned in Kolsass in the 16th and 18th centuries. These details add an economic perspective to the town’s ecclesiastical and architectural history: they describe different activities and periods rather than a single era. In this way, local history connects church-building phases with mining and agriculture.

Discover more destinations: Rum, Grinzens, Schmirn, Kolsassberg, Sankt Sigmund Im Sellrain, Götzens, Unterweg, Mützens

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