Birgitz
Birgitz is located at the foot of the so-called Kalkkögel with the 2,404 m high Saile mountain (Nockspitze).
Altitude: 859 m asl
The rural-oriented village of Birgitz is located only 8 km from Innsbruck at the foot of the so-called Kalkkögel, a mountain chain that belongs to the Stubai Alps. On a hill that is called “Hohe Birga”, settlement traces of the period of time around 100 BC have been found. In 1286 “Purgitz”, as it used to be called back then, has been mentioned for the first time. In other words, this village can harken back on a long history! The emblem of the municipality shows green stairs, representing the “Giant Step” (Riesenstiege), that is a terrace in the municipal area. The white Celtic fibula refers to pre-Christian findings in Birgitz.
Today the village is a calm holiday resort with beautiful farms. What is most appealing in summer are the surrounding mountains with the so-called Kalkkögel, as several MTB-Trails snake their way across this impressive terrain. For the little ones there is an entertainment programme at the nearby Lake Natters, providing fun and entertainment. In winter, however, you absolutely do not have to miss tobogganing on the great run, boasting an altitude difference of 930 m and a lenght of 7 km. A two-hours’ walk takes you to the start of this run. For those who love skiing and snowboarding, however, there is the ski resort Axamer Lizum located within easy reach. By the way, in the Stubaital valley, there is also the Stubai Glacier that is ideal for skiing.
And also for those who are interested in culture, the village has got some sights to offer. The parish church, dedicated to the Visitation of Mary and St. Kassian, was originally constructed as little chapel with cemetery, in which the victims of the pest were sepulchred. As the population has repeatedly been afflicted by the Black Death, in the 17th century the inhabitants of the nearby village of Axams were so heavily frightened that the corpses were no longer sepulchred in their cemetery. For this reason this new cemetery was built in Birgitz in 1634-37. In the 18th century the church made way for a splendid Baroque building…
Our recommendation: if one day the weather might not be too fine we recommend you to visit the city of Innsbruck or the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, located 25 km from the village!
