Wehrkirchendokumentation Edlitz
Church, Museum
Description
The common past of the Bucklige Welt revisited
The Bucklige Welt as a closed landscape of fortified churches is almost unique in Europe. Such a large network of well-preserved fortified churches can only be found in very few other regions - such as Transylvania, Carniola or France - and today these churches tell the exciting story of the region. Actually only preserved because the region was too poor to have the churches modernized after the end of the sieges, the churches today offer a great cultural treasure that its own inhabitants are often no longer even aware of.
Life-saving refuge
Sturdy castles were usually the first choice when seeking protection, but castles were few and far between. Churches, on the other hand, could be found in every village and also offered thick (and above all unburnable) stone walls as a defense and plenty of space. A generous amount of space was important, as not only did people seek refuge from attacks, but livestock, grain and supplies were also hidden here. On the one hand, of course, this served to provide for their own needs, but also to starve out the enemy. The Lichtenegg fortified church even had its own baking oven.
Fortified elements
What still remains on the church walls today was vital back then. Embrasures, where bows, arrows and throwing stones were shot, and cast iron oriels, where pitch and hot water were poured on the enemy, ensured the survival of the parishioners. Nowadays, the fortified upper bulwarks built at the time are often home to a large number of bats.
The fortified church documentation shows, in a recently modernized way, the extremely important role the churches played for the people and where mysterious battlements and the most exciting fortification elements can still be discovered today.
Public transportation
From Vienna or Graz to Wr. Neustadt main station. From there, take the Aspangbahn to Edlitz-Grimmenstein station and continue by regional bus to Edlitz/Ortsmitte station. The Wehrkirchendokumentation is approx. 100 m away.
