Round trip Salvator Mundi (Salvator Mundi Rundweg) Breitenfeld

The copper portal by Prof. Franz Weiß marks the starting point of the circular walk of the same name, which also incorporates a modern Way of the Cross featuring works by the artist Roswitha Dautermann. The Breitenfeld Way of the Cross dates from the early 18th century and is one of the region’s most significant routes of devotion and faith. The modern interpretation successfully translates the story of Jesus’ suffering into the present day. A detailed description is provided at each station. Thus, the route, which is just under a kilometre long, offers the opportunity to reflect on one’s own cross, to lay it down and to draw new vitality. The Way of the Cross (Latin: via crucis) refers both to a pilgrimage route modelled on the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) in Jerusalem, which traces the path of Jesus Christ’s suffering, and to a devotional practice in which the worshipper follows the individual stations of this route. Since around 1600, Ways of the Cross have been established with fourteen illustrated stations.

After a short stretch along the main road, the path leads steadily downhill along a forest track until it joins the road on the left in the Maigental valley. From there, the path runs parallel to the 3-Chapels Path (three lovingly maintained chapels line the route) up to the Höherberg and follows the ridge for a while, offering fantastic views. The “Salvator Mundi Trail” leads down over the picturesque vineyard-covered hills to Neustift; on level paths alongside fields and meadows, a side track leads to the English oak (Quercus robur). 
The oak has a trunk circumference of just under 5 metres, an estimated height of around 25 metres, and a crown diameter averaging 20 metres. It is ‘only’ about 100 years old; its impressive growth is due to the site’s abundant supply of water and nutrients. This outstanding natural specimen is worthy of preservation due to its beauty and its distinctive character in the landscape, and is a fitting place for a spiritual respite. A little further on, you reach St. Kind. In the branch church dedicated to ‘St. Andrew’, there are two rare votive images: ‘The Sorrow of St. Kind – the One Who Frees from Sorrow’. Since the mid-15th century, legends of the saints have told of her as the daughter of a pagan king who had converted to Christianity and who resisted the marriage forced upon her by her father. Her fervent prayers for disfigurement were answered: a beard grew on her. Her enraged father then had her crucified. Before she died there, she continued to proclaim her faith for three days, converting many to Christianity, including her father, who, filled with remorse, erected a memorial church and had a richly decorated statue placed within it. Before the image, a minstrel in need once played the violin, and the saint rewarded him by throwing down her precious shoe. The violinist, who was subsequently accused of theft, proved his innocence by once again pleading before the image, whereupon the saint threw down her second shoe. Her feast day is 20 July. The route continues along the main road to the Breitenfeld sports ground. From there, follow the footpath through the village back to the starting point at the village square with the beautiful pilgrimage church dedicated to the Saviour of the World (Salvator Mundi).

• ambulance: 144
• European emergency call: 112

Tips when reporting an emergency – Answer these six WH questions: What happened? How many people are injured? Where did the accident happen (are there GPS coordinates)? Who is reporting the incident (callback number)? When did the accident happen? What is the weather like at the site of the incident?

Proper backpack packing makes many things easier: Pack heavy things first. The water bottle should always be within reach in a side pocket. All the things that are often needed, such as sunglasses, camera or hiking map, belong on top. An emergency kit, including blister plasters, belongs in every rucksack and it is always advisable to dress in layers.

Stop at the various refreshment stops to recharge your batteries for the continuation.

Detailed information about arriving by ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) can be found at  www.oebb.at or on the Verbundlinie Steiermark website www.busbahnbim.at

With Verbundlinie’s BusBahnBim route planner app, planning your journey has never been easier: simply enter towns and/or addresses, stop names or points of interest to check all bus, train and tram connections in Austria. The app is available free of charge for smartphones – on Google Play and in the App Store

Tourist Office Thermen- & Vulkanland
Gästeinfo Riegersburg
Riegersburg 87
8333 Riegersburg
Tel: +43 3382 55 100-33
riegersburg@thermen-vulkanland.at
www.thermen-vulkanland.at

Vulkanland-Wanderkarte "Mensch & Natur" 1:500.000
Steirisches Vulkanland Tel. +43 (0)3152/8575-710 www.spuren.at

Karte freytag & berndt WK 423 Steirisches Thermenland - Südliches Burgenland - Steirisches Vulkanland