A little wooden church from the 7th century laid the foundation for the current parish church of Stams
Altitude: 672 m a.s.l.
Stams is located in the upper part of the Inn Valley and is above all known for its Cistercian monastery. Today there are also several schools and educational facilities in the village. The local oak wood is a protected area: This ancient "Stamser Eichenwald" offers also a natural trail.
The famous Stams Abbey was founded by Meinhard II of Tyrol-Gorizia and his wife, Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria, in 1273 AD, which made Stams become the spiritual centre of the entire area. The monastery as well as further possessions were handed over to the monks of the Kaisheim Monastery, who previously had been living in a little wooden building. That was meant to safeguard their future. Today you can have a look at the historical prince hall and the basilica in a guided tour, visit the Abbey Museum, and taste the home-made schnapps in the monastery shop.
Stams is also an active centre. Its beautiful location is ideal for extending promenades and hikes, e.g. along the famous Way of St. James or to the Maria Locherboden Pilgrimage Site, in which you have to overcome a 109 m long pending bridge over the Inn river. If you would like to experience the mountains, we recommend you a tour to the Stamser Alm, a mountain hut which can be reached in a 3-hour hike. By the way: Both summer and winter, ski jumping is practised at the Brunnental Ski Jump in Stams, as there is the Ski Gymnasium with Alpine and Nordic orientation...
