Photo: Oststeiermark Tourismus · Christa Pollhammer

Toter Mann

Strallegg, Styria

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On the way to Wildwiese, you pass the distinctive waypoint "Toter Mann," a chapel at a crossroads between Wenigzell, Strallegg, Vorau, Ratten, and Miesenbach. According to legend, a penitent who was on a pilgrimage to Mariazell died here with his wife. The farmers later built a chapel over his grave. His wife continued her pilgrimage to Mariazell and later died in the Mürztal near Frein, which gave the area the name Totes Weib. In reality, the site "Toter Mann" consists of broad, easily accessible hilltops where many roads meet. The name Toter Mann derives from Celtic (TOTA = people/tribe, MAGOS = field).