Discover Schlatt: Lenten Crib, Church and Coal Railway
Accommodation in Schlatt
Schlatt brings together several distinct historical themes: a mechanical Lenten crib, the religious history of Philippsberg Church, the former coal railway and archaeological traces near BreitenschĂĽtzing. Are you particularly interested in religious history, the former coal mining industry, or putting archaeological traces from the past into context?
The mechanical Lenten crib in Philippsberg Church
Philippsberg Church in Schlatt is home to the only mechanical Lenten crib in Central Europe. Its two-tiered rotating stage sets painted figures made of wood or tin in motion: they pass before visitors, powered by clockwork dating from 1712. The technical design is an important part of the story. The stage, moving figures and clockwork show how this Lenten crib differs from a static display.
The chronology also offers a specific point of reference: the clockwork dates from 1712, and in 1721 Philippsberg Church was converted into a Calvary church. The crib’s mechanism and the church’s development therefore represent two distinct, historically close aspects of the town’s history.
The Lenten crib is scheduled to be open for viewing on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you would like to plan your trip around a visit, check the schedule for the relevant Holy Week in advance.
Church history and the Stations of the Cross
A Stations of the Cross route leads from Schwanenstadt to Philippsberg Church in Schlatt. This religious route adds another aspect to the history of the church building: the conversion in 1721 places the church’s development in time, while the Stations of the Cross describe a connection to it from Schwanenstadt.
The Calvary Church of St. Philip and St. James, Philippsberg 4, 4690 Schlatt, is protected as a historic monument by ordinance. The church can thus be understood both through its history and through its designated form of protection.
Coal railway and BreitenschĂĽtzing station building
From 1854 to 1965, the coal railway transported mined coal from the Kohlgrube mining area to Breitenschützing station, which was then a railway hub. Its role was clearly defined: it carried coal from the mining area to the station. This offers a different perspective on local history from the Lenten crib and the church—that of coal transport and railways.
The Breitenschützing station building, Breitenschützing 22, 4691 Schlatt, is part of the area’s built heritage. It is protected as a historic monument under Section 2 on the basis of a positive determination. The coal railway and the building therefore represent two distinct aspects: the former transport function on the one hand and a protected historic building on the other.
Archaeological traces from different periods
Excavated Roman-era building remains dating from the 3rd century are located near BreitenschĂĽtzing. An early medieval cemetery is located in BreitenschĂĽtzing-Schlatt; material excavated there was documented between 1954 and 1978. These two findings offer different perspectives: the building remains represent the Roman period, while the cemetery dates to the Early Middle Ages. Taken together, the historical themes described here extend well beyond church and transport history.
Tailor your stay to your interests
The Lenten crib combines religious imagery with mechanics; the church and Stations of the Cross offer insight into religious history. The coal railway leads to the history of transport, while the archaeological finds relate to much earlier periods. This makes it easier to choose the focus of your stay without combining the different themes into a single story.
Discover more destinations: Frankenburg Am Hausruck, Loibichl, NuĂźdorf Am Attersee, Wolfsegg am Hausruck, Frankenmarkt, Weyregg Am Attersee, Tiefgraben, Steinbach Am Attersee
View the broader travel guide: Vöcklabruck.
