Hallwang combines a long history of churches and architecture with routes offering different points of interest: the Psalms Trail is a loop from the church through the municipality; the Ischlerbahn railway route to Söllheim is described as offering panoramic views across the Salzburg Basin. For a stay, this presents a clear choice between local history and time outdoors. Buildings and finds tell the story of several eras, while the routes focus on psalms, chapels or views across the basin. This lets you choose the focus of your trip according to the themes that interest you most.
Churches and historical traces
The Gothic Church of St Martin stands on Kirchbühel Hill and was consecrated on 20 July 1197. Its building history also includes a later Baroque phase: court architect Zucalli enlarged the church into a three-nave Baroque church; it was consecrated on 20 July 1694. The two consecrations mark different points in the town’s history—the early Gothic church and the later Baroque enlargement. A Roman villa rustica also stood in the area around the church. A Roman gravestone and the remains of Roman buildings were found there. Roman traces, a medieval church consecration and a Baroque enlargement can be viewed as different historical layers. This sequence draws attention not just to a single building, but to the area’s various historical connections.
The castle and chapel in Söllheim
Today’s Söllheim Castle was built between 1689 and 1702 over a late medieval core. Opposite the castle stands a statue of John of Nepomuk, created by Josef Anton Pfaffinger in 1727. St Anthony’s Chapel was built in 1686 under Johann Anton Kaufmann and dedicated to St Anthony of Padua. The chapel therefore dates from before the construction of today’s castle; the statue was created later. Together, these dates give Söllheim a clear timeframe from the late 17th to the early 18th century. Visits to the chapel are possible by request. Check the arrangements again before your trip.
On foot: the Psalms Trail and the Ischlerbahn railway route
The Psalms Trail offers a different way to explore Hallwang. The circular hiking trail starts at the church, follows the Ischlerbahn railway route, passes picturesque chapels and continues through the municipality. Along the way, psalms are displayed on blocks of marble, slate or conglomerate. The different materials give the texts a tangible form along the route. If you would like to combine religious texts with a walk, this loop offers the features described: the route itself, the psalm blocks and the chapels.
The Ischlerbahn railway route to Söllheim also offers views of the landscape: it is associated with panoramic views across the Salzburg Basin. The route from Salzburg to Söllheim can be walked in about half an hour over a distance of around 2.5 kilometres. The walking time and distance are approximate. They provide specific reference points for planning this walk. By comparison, the Psalms Trail is described as a loop starting at the church and passing chapels. This gives you different points of reference: for the Psalms Trail, these are the loop, chapels and psalm blocks; for the Ischlerbahn route towards Söllheim, they are the approximate walking time and distance, as well as the panoramic views.
St Anthony’s Festival Week
The calendar can also shape your stay. St Anthony’s Festival Week has been held for nearly 300 years around 13 June, the feast day of St Anthony. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates for the year in question. The festival week adds a recurring religious occasion to the architectural and walking themes.
Discover more destinations: Muntigl, Ebenau, Thalgau, Bergheim, Niederalm, Seekirchen am Wallersee, Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Berndorf
For the main travel overview: Salzburg-Flachgau.
