Wheel of fortune in the Bad Waltersdorf parish church

Bad Waltersdorf

A unique cultural-historical jewel is the Waltersdorf Wheel of Fortune from the 14th century, which was discovered during restoration work in the parish church in 1990.

During restoration work, a large painting (about 3x4 m) was uncovered in the chancel.

The representation of an ocher wheel with cruciform axis, which is turned by 4 kings, in the center of which the remains of a red dress can be seen. The secret of the image revealed, the text located under the wheel in Gothic script: "The wheel of fortune". Such a wheel of fortune is very rare - in Styria it is unique, in Lower Austria in Spitz a.d. Danube one was uncovered as well as in the South Tyrolean castle ruin Lichtenberg.

The wheel of fortune shows the vicissitudes in the lives of people & peoples, with the symbolism of 4 kings as representatives of earthly power, the transience of wealth and beauty. Even a king has to bow to the power of fate.

The wheel of fortune proves that during the reconstruction of the church after the last total destruction in 1683, the old foundations & wall pews remained.