Photo: Tourismusverband Oststeiermark

Filialkirche St. Stefan bei Hofkirchen

Kaindorf, Styria

In the municipality of Hofkirchen, Styria, away from any larger settlement concentration, between fields and forest zones on a low ridge in the Saifenbach valley, stands the astonishingly large Gothic church of St. Stefan, whose surroundings consist of only a few rural buildings. As a filial church, it now belongs to the parish of Kaindorf. The Gothic building was erected in 1384 from unplastered quarry stones. Even today, the former scaffolding holes can be clearly seen. A later added Baroque sacristy clearly stands out formally with its plastered architecture. The roof turret from the late 19th century is also plastered.During renovation work inside in 1958, frescoes with depictions of the Last Judgment from the late 15th century were found. The high altar with figures by Johannes Feiner from 1647, the slender tracery windows, the high half-columns on the interior walls, and the cross and net rib vaults give the sacred building an almost urban character.The plasterwork of the sacristy, roof turret, and the eaves zone of the church urgently needed renovation; furthermore, repairs to the roof area were indispensable. An association for the preservation of St. Stefan Church and the local cultural association worked to achieve the renovation. The repair work could only be realized through funding from the Bundesdenkmalamt and the Styrian Revitalization Fund. Today, St. Stefan is once again a jewel in the Hartberg area.Take the opportunity to travel by public transport:RegioBusse and trains at www.verbundlinie.at Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark stop number: HF 6744, booking hotline +43 50 36 37 38 or www.oststeiermark.at/sam If you want to combine your visit to this excursion destination with an overnight stay – Click here to find accommodation providers in the region.