To the "Divided Church" (Kreuzbichl Church)

A unique curiosity in the world is offered by the medieval town of Gmünd in the Carinthian Upper Land: a divided church through which a drivable road runs! On one side of the road is the altar area, from which the priest preaches to the other side of the road into the area of the faithful, who sit there in two stories. Both parts are roofed with wooden shingles and open towards the street.

Situated on the former Roman road, which leads over the Katschberg and the Tauern to Salzburg, it owes its origin to a “wayside cross” from the 15th century, which was enlarged to a chapel in 1588. It was called “Cross on the Hill” - today “Kreuzbichl Church”.

The church has a small tower, on which a little bell still hangs, which is also rung during masses.

Processions still take place there today, where a mass is also celebrated. Why the church was built this way is unfortunately not known, but there are some speculations about it.