Kolsass – Local History and Circular Hiking Trail

Kolsass can be viewed from two specific perspectives when planning a trip: the circular hiking trail between Wattens and Kolsass, and a local history shaped by ecclesiastical development and mining. If you are looking for accommodation in Kolsass, these highlights can help you tailor your stay to your interests. The village combines a described route with a history whose milestones span many centuries.

Hiking between Wattens and Kolsass

The circular hiking trail between Wattens and Kolsass passes through meadows and woodland to the Lourdes Chapel in Merans; the return route leads through the Archenwald forest. The route has a clearly named destination and a separate return leg. When planning, it is worth considering both sections rather than viewing the chapel as the only endpoint. As route details may change, check the current route before setting out.

Ecclesiastical history and architectural development

The Catholic parish church of the Visitation of Mary at Kirchplatz 3 is protected as a historic monument by ordinance. The parish of Kolsass was elevated to a mother parish in 788; a priest in Kolsass is first mentioned in a document from 1233. The dates refer to different milestones: 788 marks the elevation of the parish, while 1233 is the first documented mention of a priest.

The Romanesque church was remodelled in the Gothic style in the 14th century. The nave was enlarged in the 17th century. This makes it possible to view the building’s history as a sequence of different changes: first, the style of the church building changed; later, a specific part of the building was extended. Together with the early dates relating to the parish, this creates a chronology that distinguishes ecclesiastical development from architectural history.

Mining in the history of Kolsass

For several centuries, mining was an important source of income in Kolsass alongside agriculture, especially in the hamlet of Mühlbach. Iron ore was processed in smelting works from the 14th to the 16th century; gold was panned in the 16th and 18th centuries. The dates distinguish the longer period of ore processing from the two specified centuries of gold panning. Together, they show that mining was an important part of the village’s historical sources of income.

Protected historic monuments in the municipality

There are currently six protected historic monuments in the municipality. These include the parish church of the Visitation of Mary; the mural in the connecting corridor between the primary school and kindergarten; the cemetery and cemetery chapel at Kirchplatz 3; a wayside shrine at Fiechterweg 4; and a wayside cross near Kirchplatz 3. The listed objects are protected by ordinance.

The protected heritage sites therefore include more than just the parish church: the cemetery and chapel, a mural, a wayside shrine and a wayside cross are also among them. This offers more than one perspective for exploring the village’s history. Ecclesiastical architecture, places of remembrance and other protected historic monuments can be viewed as different aspects of Kolsass’s cultural heritage.

The Inn Cycle Path in summer

Another way to include Kolsass in your day’s plans is the Inn Cycle Path in the Tyrolean Lower Inn Valley. It passes by the village of Kolsass; in summer, the route runs from Kolsass to Innsbruck, which is 20 km away. Unlike the circular hiking trail, which has the Lourdes Chapel as its named destination, this route focuses on summer cycling and the direction towards Innsbruck. This makes it easy to distinguish hiking and cycling as two different route options for a stay.

Discover more destinations: Telfs, Schönberg im Stubaital, Scharnitz, Grinzens, Axams, Birgitz, Thaur, Tulfes.

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