Power place: St Nicholas Church in Ebbs in the Kufsteinerland region
A place where you can feel God's blessing
The ancestral seat of an aristocratic family is majestically enthroned atop Buchberg Hill in Ebbs. On a site where many battles were fought, Saint Nicholas now watches over the inhabitants from the gothic chapel. The church is situated in a place where you can find peace of mind. Anneliese Wohlschlager, who has been in charge of maintaining the holy site for years, reveals what makes this place so special.
How do you get to this power place in the Kaisertal valley?
St Nicholas Church sits on Buchberg Hill in the village of Ebbs in the Kufsteinerland region. If you travel by car, park your vehicle in the parking lot at the Rare Species Zoo, then follow the marked gentle trail up the hill. Along the way you will encounter green meadows, houses and colourful forests until you reach the church in about ten minutes.
What impressions await visitors when they arrive at the church?
Most striking is the panorama, which is simply amazing. The view stretches over the blessed Inn valley to the town of Kufstein with its picturesque fortress and from the mountain chains of Brixen and Zillertal to Bavaria. The unrestricted view is breathtaking. The other view to behold is that of the gothic church with its 38 m high, square north tower. The yellow paint of the church’s exterior walls combined with the green meadows and blue sky evoke a wonderful interplay of colour. The harmonious ambience is made complete by three large crosses standing on the hill.
What makes the interior of the church so special?
The decor is worthy of praise. The choir stalls, church benches, the vault and the pulpit are all made of fir wood, adorned with magnificent carvings and ornamental decorations. On the large altar there are five sacred figures: Saint George the dragon slayer, Saint Erasmus, one of the 14 holy helpers, Saint Nicholas in the middle, Saint Blaise with book, lamb and staff, and Saint Florian, who protects against fire. All five statues give the church its blessing. Historical paintings of the crusade adorn the walls. Particularly striking are the huge frescoes on the side walls, which were restored in 1961 after being painted over.
How did the church come to the mountain?
The site is first mentioned in the annals in the 10th century. At that time, it was the ancestral seat of an aristocratic family, the Ebbs. In 1174 the construction of the castle chapel began. The wealthy, venerated noble family was expelled from the country in 1668 because of their Protestant faith and the castle fell into decay in the ensuing years. Today only ancient St Nicholas Church on Buchberg Hill reminds us of the long-lost glory of the old knight‘s castle.
How often do services take place at the church?
A large service takes place once a year on St Nicholas Day on 6 December. Services are also held every Wednesday during the summer holidays at 7 pm, when all are invited to partake in prayer and song. The church in Ebbs receives an average of 100 visitors every day. This holy place is also popular for weddings.
Who is St. Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of travellers. In the neighbouring valley the road forks in two directions: to Walchsee and Kössen or Niederndorf and Erl. This was part of the Salzstraße (Salt Road), an important trading route in the past. St Nicholas gave the travellers strength and energy for their long journeys.
Speaking of energy: Why is the church known as a power place in the Kufsteinerland region?
A geologist inspected the stones around the church and found them to contain a great source of power. Furthermore, a forestry lecturer discovered the following: If you go clockwise around the church, you can dissipate energy, for example if you are angry or furious. If, on the other hand, you change the direction, you can gain energy if you are suffering from illness or lack of strength.