St. Johann und Paul, Graz, Protected heritage church in Wetzelsdorf, Graz, Austria.
St. Johann und Paul is a small Roman Catholic hill church in Graz's 15th district, Wetzelsdorf, standing on a 563 m dolomite knoll about 200 m above Krottendorf. Built in late Renaissance style, it was enlarged between 1589 and 1594 under Pietro Valnegro, when the originally flat nave received a vault. Bartolomeo Altomonte painted the ceiling frescoes.
The church was first documented in 1507 and underwent major construction work in the late 16th century. These renovations shaped the appearance visitors see today.
The church is dedicated to the Roman brothers John and Paul, martyred under Emperor Julian; their beheading is shown on the high altar. The left side altar holds a protective cloak Madonna beside a depiction of Archduchess Maria Anna. The ceiling frescoes by Admont Baroque painter Bartolomeo Altomonte show the Christian virtues of faith, hope and love, scenes from the saints' lives, and their apotheosis at the centre.
The church sits on a hillside and is best reached on foot, with a moderate climb required to reach it. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and keep in mind that it remains an active parish church with service times that may limit visits.
In 2004, Joanneum Universal Museum archaeologists uncovered Neolithic settlement remains on the hilltop, dated to around 3500 BC and described as the oldest dwellings in Styria. After the remains were backfilled, a children's playground with a theme tied to the excavation was laid out there.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,634 contributors worldwide.