Explore the unique “Split Church” that has become a surprising tourist attraction
Located near the town of Gmünd in Carinthia, the ancient church Geteilte Kirche am Kreuzbichl suddenly became a popular tourist destination. Known as the “Split Church”, it has attracted the curiosity of many tourists everywhere with its image of being unusually divided by a road running through the center.
Geteilte Kirche am Kreuzbichl is uniquely divided into two parts: one side serves as a place of worship, and the other is a two-story gallery. The gallery also offers a unique experience where visitors can listen to lectures from across the street.
This special layout is often described by tourists as “one of a kind” and “rarely seen anywhere else in the world”. This is what attracts tourists who want to come here to admire it.
Historically, the site of the church was once home to a roadside shrine called “Kreuz am Bichl” (Cross on the Hill). Such roadside temples, called “Marterl”, are very common in Bavaria and surrounding areas. They were a place for travelers to stop and pray while journeying along the important trade route from Venice, Italy to Salzburg, Austria. Marterl in Gmünd is a popular stop on this route.
According to Gmünd city council member Anton Fritz, the temple was originally built for travelers to ask for blessings on their journey or to give thanks for arriving safely. Additionally, the path that passes by the temple was historically the path for the condemned on their way to the gallows, where they would stop to say their last prayers.
In 1784, the temple was converted into a chapel with a dome and stairs leading up. The building is raised about 2 meters above street level and has iron railings, where priests will stand and preach.
The congregation will stand by the road below to listen. To provide greater comfort, especially in inclement weather, a two-story building was constructed across the street. This new structure provides seating for worshipers to listen to sermons without having to stand in the rain.
Today, visitors to Gmünd often visit this unique church. Sermons continued to be preached simultaneously in both buildings, the priest standing in one building and the congregation sitting in the other. If a car passes by the church during service, the priest will pause the sermon until the car passes.
In addition to the unique division along the street, the church also has an original fresco attributed to Michelangelo. The Italian master once gave the manuscript of this painting to a friend, Orciel dela Volterra, who brought it to Gmünd and displayed it as a fresco in the gallery.
Located at the entrance to the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, the medieval town of Gmünd is also known as the “Town of Art”. Visitors here can enjoy many exhibitions, workshops, concerts and artist studios showcasing local and international talent.
