The hamlet of Dreikirchen in the municipality of Barbian in Valle Isarco (Eisacktal) was created around this beautiful group of churches. The oldest and largest, St Gertraud (St Gertrude of Nivelles) was first documented in 1237. St Nikolaus and St Magdalena were built much later, in 1422. In pre-Christian times, the place now known as Dreikirchen was a pagan water sanctuary. Both Christian Morgenstern and Sigmund Freud used to spend their summer holidays in Dreikirchen. Also worth mentioning is Briol guest house near Bad Dreikirchen which shows distinct features of the Bauhaus architectural style.