Vils: Medieval Traces and Trails

Vils offers several different starting points for planning a trip: medieval lanes, reminders of traditional crafts, churches, and trails for hiking or cycling. When choosing a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether you want to focus on history, a seasonal tradition, or outdoor activities. The details below will help you match these interests with specific places and themes in Vils.

History and Crafts

Vils’s medieval character is evident in the rows of houses along Stadtgasse and Hintergasse. The small ring-wall castle of Vilsegg, with its residential tower and palas, also points to this period: the noble lords of Hohenegg built it around 1220/30 above one of the most important north–south trade routes. It was the residence of the lords of Hohenegg until around 1540.

Another way to explore Vils’s medieval history is through its Historic Hammer Mill. In the Middle Ages, it served the lords of Hohenegg as a forge for making weapons. The exhibition covers medieval iron production and the craft of weapon forging. It also tells the story of Engelbert Hartmann, one of the last blacksmiths, and the visits of the Bavarian royal family under Ludwig II.

Churches and Cultural Traditions

Five bells hang in the tower of the parish church of the Assumption of Mary. They include Susanna, dating from 1524 and weighing 1,200 kg, and the death bell, dating from 1769 and weighing about 60 kg. Susanna is older and significantly heavier than the death bell. St. Anne’s Church is often used for weddings today.

Vils is the hometown of the organ builder Johann Konrad Wörle, also known as Giovanni Corrado Verlè. He lived from 1701 to 1777 and earned great renown in Rome. The town’s musical past also includes lute and violin making: Vils was once widely known for this craft.

A traditional custom with a clear seasonal connection is Krippele-Luagar. Particularly during the Christmas season, many families in Vils open their doors and offer a glimpse of this centuries-old art. If you would like to experience it, include the Christmas season in your travel plans.

Hiking and Cycling

There are more than 180 km of cycling and mountain biking routes around Vils. In addition, a variety of hiking and mountain biking trails lead from Vils up to the Vilser Alm. The distance gives you an overview of the network as a whole, while the Vilser Alm is a specific destination to consider when planning a route.

The Celtic Tree Circle offers a different focus: as a tree trail, it is designed to deepen knowledge of native trees in a fun way. Nature is the main theme along this trail, while the routes to the Vilser Alm lead to a specific destination.

Trail to Vilsegg Castle Ruins

The trail to Vilsegg Castle Ruins starts at the free parking lot by the sports field. A forest road suitable for strollers leads uphill from the settlement to the ruins in about 15 minutes. The final 80 m are only accessible via a narrow footpath. Take this section into account when planning your visit, and check the trail conditions beforehand.

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