Photo: Martina Steininger

Kernkapelle

St. Ruprecht an der Raab, Styria

The Kernkapelle is located at 450 meters above sea level on the ridge between the Raabtal and the Ilztal, surrounded by apple orchards and vineyards. The chapel was built in 1838 and has been a protected monument since November 1975. It has been renovated several times, most recently in 2015 by the family Hans and Angela Unger, who live in the immediate vicinity. Inside, visitors to the chapel are greeted by an almost 2 m tall Emmaus Jesus with open arms. This was carved in 220 working hours by Hans Pendl, a well-known and very active woodcarver from St. Ruprecht an der Raab. Nowadays, May devotions, among other things, are still held annually in the chapel. The already very rare Herbergsuchen (seeking lodging for Mary and Joseph) also still finds its home in the Kernkapelle. From the location of the chapel, which is also directly on the Styrian Apple Road, one has a magnificent panoramic view from the Koralpe over the Schöckl, Graz's local mountain, and the Kulm in the heart of Eastern Styria to the Fischbacher Alps and the Wechsel on the border with Lower Austria. In front of the chapel there is a beautifully designed rest area with round benches and tables as well as deck chairs. This is particularly popular with hikers and cyclists, as the chapel is located directly on the 7 Plätze - 7 Schätze hiking trail and the Kernkapllenweg. Both circular hiking trails have their start and end point at the main square of St. Ruprecht an der Raab. Cyclists, on the other hand, who are on the Ilztalradweg R10, which connects the Feistritztalradweg R8 and the Raabtalradweg R11, appreciate the rest area after the easy ascent to the Kernkapelle, the highest point of the Ilztalradweg. Tip: strengthen yourself with products from the self-service farm shop, which can be found directly next to the Kernkapelle. Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark SAM WZ1856, reservation at +43 50 36 37 38 or ISTmobil.at