Windische Kapelle, Religious chapel on Mount Dobratsch, Nötsch im Gailtal, Austria
The Windische Kapelle sits near the summit of Mount Dobratsch at about 2166 meters elevation and displays late Baroque features with stone buttresses. This small chapel has a simple floor plan and appears firmly rooted despite its exposed location on the ridge.
Baron von Semler from Wasserleonburg castle built the chapel in 1690, replacing an earlier wooden structure that once stood at this location. The late 1600s marked a period of religious renewal in mountain regions across the Alps.
The chapel is dedicated to the Feast of the Assumption and reflects local pilgrimage traditions that continue to draw visitors today. It stands in contrast to another chapel on the mountain, showing how different faiths have shared the same location for centuries.
The chapel is reachable via hiking trails on Mount Dobratsch that require stamina and sturdy footwear. Visitors should expect changeable weather and bring plenty of water, especially on warmer days.
A black Madonna fresco by artist Helga Druml adorns the chapel entrance and gives the small chapel a personal artistic touch. Inside, floral stucco work from the early 1700s decorates the vault and shows the skilled craftsmanship devoted to this mountain location.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
