Kremsbrücke has two churches with distinct historical profiles, and it is also where the Nockalm Road begins. The wider area also has a history of iron processing. You can get to know the village through its buildings and customs, or turn your attention to a mountain road with hiking trails and exhibitions.
Churches and architectural history
The branch church of St. Nicholas stands on a hill north of Kremsbrücke. It is considered the oldest church in the municipality. Its unusually thick tower wall suggests that it may have been built as a fortified church—the defensive function is an interpretation, not an established fact about its construction. The Church of Maria Trost is another historical landmark: this simple building dates from the first half of the 17th century.
The two churches offer different ways to explore the history of the village: St. Nicholas, with its location and possible defensive function, and Maria Trost, with its simple design and historical context. Together with local customs, they reveal a religious dimension of village life alongside its industrial history.
Iron processing and local customs
Iron processing has shaped the wider Kremsbrücke–Eisentratten area. Floßöfen (charcoal blast furnaces) were built there in 1541 and 1566; they are considered the oldest in Austria and possibly in the entire German-speaking region. The blast furnace in Kremsbrücke, together with the one in Eisentratten, has been described as the first charcoal blast furnace in Central Europe. The dates and their classification as particularly early installations make regional industrial history a distinct topic alongside the churches.
Recurring festivals are also part of local life. For the harvest festival, the village community of Kremsbrücke makes the harvest crown and small harvest bouquets every year. The so-called Prangtag is celebrated on Corpus Christi Sunday. For the occasion, homeowners Kassmanhuber, Mathehans and Kohlmaier prepare three altars; the fourth is in the church. If you want to time your visit to coincide with a festival, check the current dates in advance.
Kremsbrücke and the Nockalm Road
The Nockalm Road begins in Kremsbrücke. It is around 34 kilometres long and has 52 hairpin bends. Along the road, there are free exhibitions and well-marked hiking trails through the biosphere reserve. The route thus offers different ways to explore the area: driving, visiting exhibitions and hiking. Road operating conditions vary by season, so check the latest information before setting out. The exhibitions on offer may also change.
Kremsbrücke is part of the municipality of Krems in Carinthia, which lies entirely within the Nockberge Biosphere Park. The protected area therefore extends beyond the starting point of the road and shapes the wider landscape of the municipality. The Nockalm Road is one way to explore this setting; the hiking trails along the route offer a different perspective from driving through the hairpin bends.
More activities in Innerkrems
In Innerkrems, the “Water and Miners’ Trail” takes children and parents to six mine tunnels that recall the region’s former iron ore mining. A half-day hike from Innerkrems also leads into part of the biosphere park. Both activities combine hiking with a connection to the landscape or regional history.
The Innerkrems Outdoor Park is in the Katschberg–Lieser–Maltatal region near Kremsbrücke. It has two purpose-built mountain bike courses with a conveyor belt. Bikes and protective gear can be rented on site; check current availability before your visit. You can choose what to do in Innerkrems based on your interests: follow a themed trail to the tunnels, hike in the biosphere park or ride the courses in the outdoor park.
Discover more destinations: Oberkolbnitz, Malta, Kolbnitz, Maltaberg, Dellach in the Drau Valley, Döllach, Reißeck, Bad Kleinkirchheim.
Back to the main travel overview: Spittal an der Drau.
