The story of Kirchental and the Kirchentalwirt
The high valley:
The high valley "Kirchental" was formed in the Ice Age by the Schneegruben glacier 200 meters above the Saalach valley. The glacier carried boulders on its back, which we can still find in the forest today. Long before a building was erected, the high valley was already called "Kirchenthal". The "Khürcher Zech" were farmers whose farms were built around the parish church of St. Martin and who owned their forest in the high valley.
In 1670, a farmer in the high valley of Kirchental experienced an apparition of the Virgin Mary. He then built a wooden chapel there, in which he later placed a statue of the Virgin Mary. In the following years, this chapel and Kirchental became known for many answered prayers.
The number of people praying grew ever larger, and the small chapel (today there is a group of linden trees there) soon became too small. So in 1694 Prince Archbishop Johann Ernest, Count of Thun, built a church on the spot where three ears of corn protruded from the snow. The church was consecrated in 1701.
In 1692, Hans Flatscher (innkeeper at the church of St. Martin) was granted permission to provide for the regency, which was housed in what is now the House of Contemplation. On September 6, 1696, the first "innkeeper's license" issued only mentioned the "excavation" of a square. However, there was still no inn.
The first real concession was granted on November 6, 1696 for the supply of food and drink to the “Khürchenfarter”, with the right to build a hut.
In 1711, the construction of the inn in masonry was approved and implemented. On December 29, 1712, the house was granted the right to tap beer. The beer was to be obtained from the princely brewery in Lofer.
In 1796 and 1842, the two hostels, the “Stöckl” and the “Villa”, were built opposite.
Since 1938, the inn has belonged to the Sacred Heart Missionaries, who refurbished the buildings in a modern style to increase pilgrimage attendance. In March 1940, the Kirchental commercial buildings were closed by the authorities.
In 1952 and 1954, the houses and their furnishings were modernized and guest rooms were added. After the number of pilgrims and guests increased significantly, the hall at the inn was also added.
In 1978, a generous expansion plan was planned and implemented by 1981, so that a modern restaurant was available to the many pilgrims and visitors to Maria Kirchental.
In 2008, the inn underwent a general renovation.
In 2020 and 2021, the guest rooms were renovated, new bathrooms were installed and the lighting in the entire house was upgraded to energy-saving LED.
In 2022, a flexible partition wall will be installed in the hall so that both large events with up to 110 people in the entire hall and smaller celebrations in the two "half" halls can take place. In addition, the technical requirements for holding seminars, lectures and workshops will be created.
