Maria Wörth

Maria Wörth occupies a slim peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Wörthersee, projecting into the water so that the village seems to float. The name means the island of Mary, and until the nineteenth century the peninsula was an island, connected to the shore by a narrow causeway or reached by boat. The lake around it is deep and clear, and the Karawanken range, with its pale limestone peaks, closes the horizon to the south. The result is one of the best-known views in Carinthia.

The main sight is the church complex at the tip of the peninsula, the Pfarr- und Wallfahrtskirche Maria Wörth, often called the Basilica or Marienbasilika. Written sources mention a church here in the late ninth century, which makes it one of the oldest foundations in the region and a reminder of the Christianization of Carinthia. The present building is largely Romanesque and Gothic, with twin towers that stand out against the lake, and its interior has frescoes and altars from the Middle Ages and later. Close to it, the small Rosenkranzkirche, the Rosary Church, also known as the Winterkirche, is a Romanesque building that was used for services in the colder months. The churches sit above the water on a rocky terrace with a cemetery, and the setting is one of the most atmospheric on the lake.

The village itself is quiet. A short lane runs along the shore, with a few inns, cafes, a small harbour and a lakeside promenade, and in the evening the light on the water and the churches is especially beautiful. Because the peninsula is narrow, there has been little room for large developments, and the village has retained a contemplative atmosphere.

Wellness is the modern theme. VIVAMAYR Maria Wörth, a health resort in modern buildings on the lakeshore, offers programmes based on the Mayr medical approach, which focuses on digestion and diet, with consultations, treatments and carefully planned meals. Many guests stay for a week or more, and the clinic has an international clientele. Other hotels offer spa facilities and quiet lakeside rooms.

The surroundings offer more. The Pyramidenkogel, a high observation tower on a hill at the south-west of the lake, can be reached by road or on foot, and the Pyramidenkogel Tower, a spiral structure of wood and steel, gives a 360-degree view of the Wörthersee, the Karawanken and the Alps. Close by is the Keutschach valley with its small lakes. Walking trails and cycle routes run along the shore and through the woods, linking Maria Wörth with Reifnitz, Velden and other lake villages. Swimming from the public beaches and from the village's small bathing areas is pleasant in summer, and boat trips connect with Klagenfurt and other towns.

Activities in Maria Wörth are generally gentle: swimming, sailing, kayaking and walking. Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia, is within easy reach and has the Minimundus miniature park, the Lakeside Park by the university and a lakeshore promenade, a historic old town and many museums.

Food on the peninsula includes lake fish, Carinthian specialities such as Kasnudeln and Reindling, and fine dining in some of the hotels. Cafes along the shore serve pastries and ice cream.

The best time to visit is from late June to early September for swimming and warm evenings, with July and August the peak. May, June and September are mild and quieter. Autumn mist on the lake is atmospheric, and winter is calm, with the spa open all year.

Getting there is simple by road. The village is about 15 kilometres from Klagenfurt, with regular buses and taxis, and boats connect it with other places on the Wörthersee in season. By car, the A2 motorway passes Klagenfurt, from where a lakeside road leads to Maria Wörth, and parking is limited in the village during the summer season. The nearest railway station is in Klagenfurt, and Klagenfurt airport is about 20 minutes away.