The best MTB trails around Mils

Kloster St. Martin in Gnadenwald That St. Martin in Gnadenwald was chosen as one of our places of power is actually self-evident. When you arrive there, you can already feel the special aura of this place. First and foremost, St. Martin is a place of recreation - both physical and spiritual. In our fast-paced times, "coming to rest" is extremely important. The Cretan or classical stone labyrinth located to the left below the monastery is a symbol of the human life path. Labyrinths have existed in many cultures for more than 5000 years and are shaped by the need for inner peace and a sense of home. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourismus, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

History of St. Martin in Gnadenwald As early as the 11th century, a hunting lodge with a chapel in honor of St. Martin is said to have stood on the site of the present-day monastery. The first documented mention dates from 1337 in a will of the Tyrolean master of the hunt, Heinrich von Rottenburg. A second mention occurred in 1382. Around the same time or not long after, a hermitage was also founded here, inhabited by two lay brothers. The daughter Magdalena Getzner of the wealthy Hall citizen Jörg Perl entered the monastery of St. Magdalena in Halltal together with her daughter in 1486. This was possible because her father donated a considerable sum annually to the monastery of St. Magdalena. The daughter of Magdalena Getzner, also named Magdalena, had health problems, probably a mental disability, which is why the bishop allowed her to leave the monastery of St. Magdalena and settle in a healthy location in monastic habit. Magdalena Getzner and her daughter now chose St. Martin in Gnadenwald as their new place of residence. This is evidenced by a document from 1497 from the parish archive of Baumkirchen. In addition, some sisters followed them to St. Martin, so that a monastery was established there, of which Magdalena Getzner the Elder became the abbess. On October 7, 1520, the Augustinian monastery in St. Martin in Gnadenwald burned down. The 30 nuns found refuge in the St. Salvator chaplaincy in Hall and remained there until 1566. The era of the Peasants' Wars and the Reformation was not an age for rebuilding burnt-down monasteries. Thus In 1826, the entire church was renovated, and in 1836 it received a new high altar with an altarpiece, presumably by Arnold Schöpf. The frescoes by Milldorfer remained. During the Nazarene period, the small monastery received its Christmas nativity scene with figures over 80 cm tall. In 1935, the Tertiary Sisters from Hall moved into the long-vacant cells and have run a guesthouse for visitors there since 1939. This was a valuable place of refreshment for pilgrims during their journey. Unfortunately, the rental business was discontinued in 2019, and the Tertiary Sisters no longer live in the monastery. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourismus, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

History of St. Martin in Gnadenwald As early as the 11th century, a hunting lodge with a chapel in honor of Saint Martin is said to have stood on the site of the present-day monastery. The first documented mention is in a will from 1337 by the Tyrolean court master Heinrich von Rottenburg. A second mention occurred in 1382. Around the same time or not long after, a hermitage was founded here, inhabited by two forest brothers. Magdalena Getzner, the daughter of the wealthy Hall citizen Jörg Perl, entered the St. Magdalena monastery in Halltal together with her daughter in 1486. This was possible because her father donated a considerable amount to the St. Magdalena monastery annually. The daughter of Magdalena Getzner, also named Magdalena, had health problems, probably a mental disability, which is why the bishop allowed her to leave the St. Magdalena monastery and settle in a healthy place in monastic habit. Magdalena Getzner and her daughter now chose St. Martin in Gnadenwald as their new place of residence. This is evidenced by a document from 1497 from the Baumkirchen parish archive. In addition, some sisters went with them to St. Martin, so that a monastery was established there, with Magdalena Getzner the Elder as its abbess. On October 7, 1520, the Augustinian monastery in St. Martin in Gnadenwald burned down. The 30 nuns found refuge in the St. Salvator chaplaincy in Hall and remained there until 1566. The era of the Peasants' Wars and the Reformation was not the age for rebuilding burnt-down monasteries. Thus In 1826, the entire little church was renovated, and in 1836 it received a new high altar with an altarpiece, presumably by Arnold Schöpf. The frescoes by Milldorfer remained. During the Nazarene period, the little monastery received its Christmas nativity scene with figures over 80 cm tall. In 1935, the Tertiary Sisters from Hall moved into the cells that had been vacant for so long, and since 1939 they have operated a guesthouse here. This was a valuable place of refreshment, especially for pilgrims during their hikes. Unfortunately, the rental business was discontinued in 2019, and the Tertiary Sisters no longer live in the monastery. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourism, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

Kloster St. Martin in Gnadenwald That St. Martin in Gnadenwald was chosen as one of our places of power is actually self-evident. When you arrive there, you already feel the special aura of this place. Primarily, St. Martin is a place of recreation – both physical and spiritual. In our fast-paced times, "coming to rest" is extremely important. The Cretan or classical stone labyrinth located to the left below the monastery symbolizes the human path of life. Labyrinths have been found in many cultures for more than 5000 years and are shaped by the need for inner peace and home. Text / Source: Hall-Wattens Tourismus, Unterer Stadtplatz 19, Hall in Tirol https://www.hall-wattens.at/de/st-martin-in-gnadenwald.html

A visit to the church should be planned

St. Charles' Church in Volders is a stunning example of early Tyrolean Baroque and is dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo. Built in the 17th century, it impresses with its central dome, six additional domes, and a magnificent fresco by Martin Knoller. Particularly noteworthy are the high altar and the tombs of important figures. The church is easily accessible by bike, as it is located near the Inntal Autobahn and can be comfortably reached via cycle paths in the Inn Valley. A bike ride there combines culture and sport, offers a picturesque glimpse into Tyrolean architecture, and also makes for a relaxing excursion through the surrounding area of Volders.

The chapel serves as an emergency shelter, but also offers a good place to rest in the rain. Self-service drinks are available for a donation.

Water treading revitalizes tired legs