The Artzbauer farmstead combines natural stone masonry in the cellar section with a multi-storey timber living area. It is located in Sirnitz on the sunny side at an altitude of 1,095 m and is one of the few farmsteads in the municipality of Albeck that has been preserved in its original form.
Farms, granaries and their history
The Surtmann granary dates back to 1737. Built to store grain, it has a masonry ground floor and a two-storey log-built upper section. A carved wooden balcony features a heart-and-chalice pattern. Here, different building styles come together with a clearly recognisable decorative detail.
There are two grain granaries at the Peyer farmstead. The upper one was moved from the former Lindner farmstead to its present location before the buildings on that farm were demolished during a land consolidation project around 1975. The granary’s history therefore includes both its former location and the later changes to the farmstead.
The Wertzer granary is a two-storey grain store built using log construction. It stands on a hillside on a natural stone foundation. The Wertzerhube is mentioned as early as the Gurk land register of 1326 and the fief register of 1404/1407. It had the right to serve drinks; there must have been an inn there in the Middle Ages.
Memorials and church
The Peyer cross is a large shrine-style wayside cross with a gabled roof, wavy gable boards, a rear wall and wooden side strips. Its structure includes a simply crafted crucifix. The cross was erected in memory of the farm owner who was fatally injured during logging work on the Hochrindl. According to the Mödritscher family, the present Peyer cross dates back to the 1920s.
The parish church was first mentioned in 1179 and was listed as a subsidiary church of the mother parish of Altenmarkt. It includes a Baroque charnel house dating from 1513. The two dates refer to different aspects of its history: the church’s early mention and the year the charnel house was built.
The Sirnitz watermill on the Widitschbach is another notable historical attraction. It was restored and rebuilt by the mill association. One report describes milling days with guided tours for visitors; it is unclear whether such events are currently held. Check whether a date is available before visiting.
Landscape, trails and getting there
The municipality of Albeck lies within the Carinthian Nockberge nature and landscape conservation area. The municipality has more than 200 km of marked trails for hiking, leading to viewpoints, natural monuments, churches and ruins. This offers plenty of scope for planning a hike without specifying a particular route.
One specifically named route is the Kneipp hiking trail: it starts in Sirnitz and runs for about 1.5 km into the Enge Gurk valley, where it reaches a small waterfall. This provides a broad overview of the trail network alongside one particular route described by its approximate length.
In Hochrindl, the Anderleloipe and Riaplloipe trails are groomed for both classic cross-country skiing and skating. Since grooming conditions can vary by season, it is a good idea to check the current situation before your visit.
The municipality of Albeck can be reached via the Gurk Valley on the B 94 and B 93, or from Feldkirchen via the B 93. When choosing your accommodation, you can first decide which cultural attractions or trails are most important for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Albeck Obere Schattseite, Sirnitz.
Return to the main travel overview: Albeck.
