Easy hikes and walks around Sankt Gerold

The parish church of Saints Nicholas and Theodul dates in its basic features from the 15th century, a final expansion with the vestibule and the gallery staircase was carried out in the 1950s. Also from this period is a reinforced concrete structure that runs through the bell tower to support the ringing of the bells. The organ dates from 1895. The choice of the patron saint Theodul still testifies to the connection of the Walser people with the Swiss canton of Valais, where Theodul of Sion (Latin Theodulus Sedunensis, Alemannic Sankt Joder, Rhaeto-Romanic Sogn Gioder) was active in the 4th century AD. Theodul is the patron saint of Valais and, together with Saint Nicholas, also the patron saint of the Walser people.

"Path of the Senses - Path of Silence" Meditation Trail, St. Gerold Below the St. Gerold provost's house, the "Path of the Senses - Path of Silence" meditation trail leads past lovingly landscaped ponds through the soothing forest. It leads past the Geroldsruh (Gerold's Rest), the monastery pond, and the labyrinth, inviting you to become still and reflect on nature and creation. We are well acquainted with the visible world. But most people are unaware of the invisible world, even though it pervades everything and is more real than the visible world. Human life succeeds when we can connect the two worlds. The Path of the Senses and Silence aims to help us achieve this. The Path of the Senses ultimately leads to the labyrinth – an ancient, fascinating symbol of the human path through life, which is designed to achieve one great goal: the center of our lives. Winding paths lead toward this center and repeatedly deviate from it, only to finally reach it. The idea that there should be a clear path for us in life is not promised to us. God can write straight even on crooked lines. We are led through ups and downs. But at the end of life, we reach the great goal, the center, which is God himself. Text / Source: Großes Walsertal Tourismus, Rathausgasse 5, Bludenz https://www.vorarlberg-alpenregion.at/de/st-gerold/info/weg-der-sinne-weg-der-stille.html

Path of the Senses – Path of Silence, St. Gerold (Meditation Path) A meditation path with carefully landscaped paths, ponds, benches for relaxation, and a labyrinth. Below the St. Gerold provost's house, the "Path of the Senses – Path of Silence" meditation path leads past lovingly landscaped ponds through the soothing forest. It leads past the Geroldsruh (Gerold's Rest), the monastery pond, and the labyrinth, inviting you to become still and to experience nature and creation. We are well acquainted with the visible world. But most people are unaware of the invisible world, even though it pervades everything and is more real than the visible world. Human life succeeds when we can connect the two worlds. The Path of the Senses and Silence aims to help us achieve this. Over the years, a wonderful nature reserve has emerged in the forest below the provost's house, with thirteen ponds, small paths leading over bridges, surrounded by flowers, shrubs, trees, and benches that invite one to linger and meditate. Numerous plaques with aphorisms and poetic sayings by mystics of various religions, which speak of the mystery of the invisible world, inspire this. When we look at a flower, a tree, or a plant and perceive its stillness, we ourselves become still. Silence is the dwelling place of God. God is a God of silence. If we want to encounter him, we must temporarily step away from the hustle and bustle and noise. This is the real reason why this place of silence was created in the provost's house. Labyrinth The path ultimately leads to the labyrinth – an ancient, fascinating symbol of the human path through life, which is designed to achieve one great goal, the center of our lives. Winding paths lead toward this center and repeatedly deviate from it, only to finally reach it. The idea that there should be a clear path for us in life is not promised to us. God can write straight even on crooked lines. We are led through ups and downs. But at the end of life, we reach the great goal, the center, which is God himself. Text / Source: Vorarlberg Tourismus GmbH, Poststraße 11, Dornbirn https://www.vorarlberg.travel/route/weg-der-sinne-weg-der-stille-st-gerold/

St. Gerold's Provostship / The Gerold Legend ... ...from 1484 tells that Emperor Otto I had particular trouble with one of his countrymen. It was the nobleman Adam. He was very wealthy and owned large landholdings in Feldkirch and Bludenz. But this wasn't the sole reason for disregarding his noble opponent. Otto was crowned king in Aachen on August 7, 936. Henry, his younger brother, rose up against him and wanted to challenge Otto's royal title. Adam was also involved in this conspiracy. He supported Henry and thus became the king's bitter adversary. Emperor Otto, for his part, made short work of his enemies. But as it turned out, this wasn't so easy with Adam. Adam escaped the king and was temporarily nowhere to be found. He went into solitude. Riding a donkey, he ventured into the then-deserted Friesental (now the Großes Walsertal). This was certainly not the most comfortable way to travel through this unexplored region. One day, Gerold received a special visit. A bear, pursued by wild hunters, sought refuge with him. When the hunters arrived at Gerold's, they could hardly believe their eyes. The hunted bear was lying peacefully at the hermit Gerold's feet. Even the hunting dogs had joined the party and were already waiting for the hunters. Incidentally, the delicious provost's liqueur, "Bear Comforter," commemorates this episode. The fact that the bearded hermit lived in harmony with creation, or rather, with nature, quickly spread. King Otto also noted this with great interest. The former conflict between Otto and Gerold was now resolved. The king forgave him, and the two made peace. Gerold also received back all his land holdings. Yet Gerold continued his life as a hermit and worked as a benefactor. "He remains where he is, and he remains what he is." In 1684, Brother Fridolin Dumeisen from the Mariastein Monastery (CH) painted the legend of Gerold on ten large panels. This beautiful series of paintings can be seen at the Gerold Memorial. Text / Source: Provostship of St. Gerold, House Number 29, St. Gerold https://www.propstei-stgerold.at/geschichte-legende

St. Gerold Provostship (Seminar Hotel and Vacation Accommodation) Legend & History The St. Gerold Provostship can look back on a rich and varied history spanning approximately 1,000 years. Over the centuries, the small monastery has survived arson, periods of material deprivation and decay, as well as expropriation. However, through prudent management, initiative and innovative provosts have repeatedly increased and secured the monastery's material assets and also strengthened the provostship's spiritual aura, leading it to new prosperity. Today, the St. Gerold Provostship is a pearl of Benedictine culture and hospitality, known and appreciated far beyond the region's borders. Text / Source: St. Gerold Provostship, House Number 29, St. Gerold https://www.propstei-stgerold.at/geschichte-legende

Beautiful view over the Walgau into the Rätikon.

Great species-rich meadows to the left and right of the path.

Beautiful village in the Großwalsertal