Satteins: Churches, Castle Ruins and Wetlands

If you are looking for a hotel in Satteins, you can get to know the village through its historical and natural highlights. Its history stretches from a church documented as early as 850 to archaeological sites and the ruins of Schwarzenhorn Castle, first mentioned in 1256. Other highlights include St. Sebastian’s Chapel, the Satteins wetlands and a mountain bike stage that passes through Satteins. You can plan your stay around your interests: church history, archaeological traces, nature or a cycling tour.

Church History and Chapels

A church is documented at the site of St. George’s Parish Church as early as 850. It became a parish church in 1426. The present parish church was rebuilt between 1822 and 1824 to a design by architect Alois Negrelli. The timeline therefore runs from the earliest record of a church at the site, through its elevation to parish church, to the 19th-century rebuilding.

St. Sebastian’s Chapel is another distinct landmark in the area’s church history. It was consecrated on 27 July 1508 by Auxiliary Bishop Frater Stephanus of Chur in honour of Saints Roch and Sebastian; it contains a small late Gothic high altar. The building is said to have originated in a vow made in connection with the plague of 1349. The chapel stands directly beside the ancient and important route from the Walgau through Lake Schwarzen See to Rankweil. Its consecration, furnishings and the route associated with it offer different insights into the history of the building.

Castles and Archaeological Traces

The ruins of Schwarzenhorn Castle stand on a ridge above the village of Satteins, at the edge of the forest, east of the Pfudidätschbach stream and directly beside the old Gulmweg path. The castle was built in the mid-13th century and first mentioned in 1256; remains of its keep survive. The first mention does not, however, indicate when the castle was built—it is a historical record. Its location and surviving structural elements provide further context for dating it.

The Horwa ruins lie around 200 to 250 metres above Schwarzenhorn Castle. Excavations carried out from 1992 to 1994 revealed that the site consists mainly of a circular wall enclosing the plateau, with a tower on the eastern side. Another archaeological site is the Vatlära settlement (refuge fort), which lies northeast of Lake Schwarzen See on a long, wooded hill. Its outer perimeter wall is around 180 metres long. At Horwa, the circular wall and eastern tower are the main features; at Vatlära, the approximate length of the outer wall provides a distinct point of reference.

The Roman villa of Satteins lies on the Rühe above the northern edge of the Satteins wetlands. A Roman portico villa was discovered there in 1920. The archaeological site is once again covered with earth. This distinguishes it from Schwarzenhorn, where remains of the keep survive: the Roman villa is described as a buried archaeological site, while structural elements of the castle remain visible.

Wetland Landscapes and Activities

According to the biotope inventory dated 18 June 2020, the Satteins wetlands, along with the Frastanz wetlands, are the largest surviving valley-floor wetlands in the Walgau. They provide a habitat for numerous rare and highly endangered plant communities. Another water feature in the area is the groundwater-fed Puntenifa stream, one of the region’s last irrigation channels. The wetlands and the stream therefore represent different aspects of the landscape: a distinctive type of moorland and a once-common irrigation channel that has become rare.

Cycling is another specific activity on offer: Stage 2 of the 5-Täler mountain bike tour passes through Satteins and climbs uphill on farm tracks towards the transmitter. Check the current route description before setting out, as route conditions and signage may change. For a meal, the Gasthaus Schwarzer See is located directly beside Lake Schwarzen See in Satteins. It serves Austrian cuisine and regional specialities; check the latest information on its offerings before visiting. Cultural history, nature and cycling appeal to different interests and offer concrete themes to consider when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Röthis, Röns, Frastanz, Rankweil, Viktorsberg, Schlins, Koblach, Altach.

For the regional travel overview: Feldkirch.