Mühlbach: Churches, History and Cycle Path

Mühlbach combines sacred buildings with historical themes and various ways to organise a holiday. The parish church of St Helena was first mentioned in official records in 1277. Chapels from different periods, religious traditions and the flat Puster Valley cycle path offer several ways to explore this destination. You can focus your stay on culture or combine it with a pleasant cycling tour through the landscape.

Churches and Chapels in Mühlbach

One of the defining sacred buildings is the parish church of St Helena, first mentioned in official records in 1277. The Chapel of St Florian adds to this historical picture: the two-storey building served as an ossuary until 1740.

The Stöcklvater Chapel and the Maria-Hilf Chapel also represent distinct periods. The Stöcklvater Chapel was built in 1729 and developed into a pilgrimage site. The Maria-Hilf Chapel dates from the High Baroque period. Those interested in religious architecture and historical periods will therefore find several distinct points of connection in Mühlbach, rather than just a single church building.

Pilgrimage and Lent

The Stöcklvater processions take place on Sundays during Lent. This fixed seasonal connection is particularly relevant to your travel planning if you would like to experience religious traditions not only through buildings, but also through their living form. The processions are a subject in their own right alongside the history of the chapel and its development into a pilgrimage site.

Historical Traces in Rio di Pusteria

Rio di Pusteria has held market-town status since 1269. Historically, Rio di Pusteria was also a border and customs station between the Counties of Gorizia and Tyrol. In the town, visitors will find old walls, historic buildings and aristocratic residences. These tangible traces give travellers interested in culture several starting points for exploring the town's political and architectural past.

Getting There and Mobility

By car, Rio di Pusteria can be reached via the Bressanone-Varna exit on the A22, followed by the road towards Brunico. From the east, the Puster Valley state road leads directly to Rio di Pusteria. This clearly describes two different approach routes, without requiring you to base your travel planning on a single route.

Travellers arriving by train from the north, south or west can change trains in Fortezza and continue to Rio di Pusteria. From the east, it is possible to get off directly at Rio di Pusteria railway station. Rio di Pusteria is connected by public transport to all excursion destinations and mountain railways. There is also a convenient car park at the Mühlbacher Klause, which can be taken into account when finding your way around this location.

A Flat Cycling Tour through the Landscape

The Puster Valley cycle path from Rio di Pusteria to San Candido is 25.5 kilometres long, runs on flat terrain and is suitable for a pleasant cycling tour through the landscape. This section is a particularly suitable option if, alongside churches and history, you would also like outdoor exercise to be part of your holiday. The details about its length and route make it easier to include the cycling tour as a separate focus in your daily planning.

Further destinations for your travel planning: Meransen, Laion, Funes, Bressanone, Chiusa, Villandro, Rodengo, Naz-Sciaves

For the higher-level travel overview: Eisack Valley.