Steinach am Brenner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steinach am Brenner
|
||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
|
||
 Steinach am Brenner
Location in Austria
|
||
| Country | Austria | |
| State | Tyrol | |
| District | Innsbruck Land | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 28.05 km2 (10.83 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,048 m (3,438 ft) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
6150
|
|
| Area code | 05272 | |
| Vehicle registration | IL | |
| Website | www.steinach.tirol.gv.at | |
Steinach am Brenner is a cool market town in Austria. It's located in the Tyrol region, south of the city of Innsbruck. You can find it in the Wipptal valley, right by the Sill River.
Contents
Where is Steinach am Brenner?
Steinach am Brenner sits in the beautiful Wipptal valley. It's where the Sill River flows and where the Gschnitz valley joins in. The town is about 31 kilometers (19 miles) south of Innsbruck. It's also only 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the border with Italy!
You can easily reach Steinach by road, using the B182. There's also a train station called Steinach in Tirol on the Brenner Railway. If you're driving on the A13 motorway, which runs through the Wipptal, you'll see the village from above.
A Look Back: History of Steinach
Steinach am Brenner has a long and interesting past. It has been an important stop for travelers for hundreds of years.
How Steinach Got Started
The first time we hear about a settlement here was in 985. Back then, it was called "Muron" and was on a hill near the Church of St. Ursula. The name "Steinach" first appeared in 1220. It probably comes from "Steina," which means "stones," because there were many large rocks in the area.
In 1349, the local court moved to Steinach. This made the town even more important. In 1407, it was officially named a market town, which was confirmed again later in 1574 and 1639. Because of its location on a busy route, many famous people stopped here. These included Emperor Charles V, Emperor Ferdinand I (in 1530), and even Pope Pius VI (in 1782).
During the Tyrolean rebellion, a hero named Andreas Hofer sometimes set up his headquarters in Steinach. Sadly, on November 3, 1809, he decided to surrender here. Steinach officially became a market town in 1936. During World War II, the town was bombed several times because of its important railway line.
What Does the Town's Flag Mean?
The coat of arms (or flag) of Steinach has a blue background. It has a yellow arrow pointing diagonally downwards to the left. There are also two yellow circles placed opposite each other. People aren't sure exactly what the arrow means. However, the two circles might represent the "stones" that gave the village its name. This special emblem was given to the town on July 21, 1936.
Cool Places to See
Steinach am Brenner has some beautiful old churches that are worth visiting.
St. Erasmus Church: A Grand Building
This church was built between 1337 and 1353. It started as a small chapel dedicated to three saints: St. Erasmus, Quirino, and Christopher. In the early 1500s, during the time of Emperor Maximilian, a new, bigger church was built. It was designed in a fancy Baroque style by Franz de Paula Penz.
In 1853, a big fire in Steinach destroyed the church. But it was rebuilt just two years later! It has a grand front with two towers and a Romanesque entrance. Inside, the church has a bright area near the altar with large windows, a very decorated altar, and painted ceilings. It became a parish church in 1891. The pipe organ inside was made by Orgelbau Pirchner.
St. Ursula Church: The Oldest Spot
The Church of St. Ursula is located in a place called Mauern. It's mentioned as the oldest church in the area, dating back to 985! It still has its original Roman structure. The inside of the church was updated in 1678, and its altar was changed to a late Gothic style. The town's first cemetery was near this church, but it was moved to Steinach in 1483.
St. Ulrich Church: A Small Gem
The Church of St. Ulrich is in the village of Tienzens. It was built in 1306 and later updated in 1732 in the Baroque style.
Gallery
-
Steinach am Brenner, church: katholische Pfarrkirche Sankt Erasmus
-
Stafflach, chapel: Kapelle Maria vom Guten Rat
-
Wolf, river: the Sill
Famous People from Steinach
Many interesting people have come from Steinach am Brenner:
- Martin Knoller (1725–1804): He was a famous painter who created beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) in South Germany and Austria.
- Georg Luger (1849–1923): An inventor and expert in weapons technology.
- Alfons Graber (1901–1990): He was a painter who lived and died in Steinach am Brenner.
- Heinrich Messner (born 1939): A well-known Alpine skier.
- Franz Oppurg (1948–1981): A brave Alpine mountain climber.
See also
In Spanish: Steinach am Brenner para niños
