On Paul Troger's Traces

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A carefully renovated Patrician villa with original Gothic vaults – the birthplace of the Baroque painter Paul Troger – is the starting point of the round tour. Troger has become known throughout Europe with his frescos in the Lower Austrian monasteries like Melk, Altenburg, Zwettl and Geras. In the cathedral of Brixen he created a unique episode of frescos. The second stop of the cultural path in Welsberg is the small S. Margereth Parish Church with the three altar pictures by Paul Troger. The Gothic waysideshrine from 1460 is our next stop. The Gothic frescos by Michael Pacher can be admired in the four spacious niches. The next highlight of the round tour is the Zellheim Mansion (built in 1350 by the Lords of Welsberg) and the Troger Monument. Before reaching the Rain Church “Our Lady on the Rain” (with the decorated wooden door, old church benches, special panels and frescos) you will visit the Lord’s House. When this building was excavated in 1905 urns, jewellery and tools from the Late Bronze Age were found. The visit of the Castle Welsperg is a must (the ruins of Castle Thurn are close by) – especially because it has played a decisive role in Paul Troger’s life. About 180 steps beneath the castle there was the painters’ studio where the Lords Firmian saw the young Troger painting and discovered his talent. The tour ends with a piece of art by Troger, namely with Saint Apostle Jude Thaddaeus, at the entrance hall of the local Raiffeisen bank.