A lot of work was required to restore the overgrown broad pillar in Osterwitz. During an excursion for the members of “Viana Styria”, chairman Karl Dudek explained renovation work.
Directly at the confluence of the Laßnitz and Rettenbach, right on the local border with the monastery, you can see the impressive stone building of a broad pillar. After the thorough renovation, the building shines in – almost – its original splendor. Almost because it is assumed that the wayside shrine was part of a chapel with a protruding roof at the time. It was more of a coincidence that Viana Styria chairman Karl Dudek and secretary Erik Runge came into contact with Irmgard Mörth, the owner of the property, during an inspection of the area. “There are ruins down there,” was her statement, which immediately set alarm bells ringing for the two local researchers. Equipped with the owner’s permission, they actually found an overgrown structure, which soon turned out to be a broad pillar (brick wayside shrine). The state? Pathetic to say the least. A tree was growing out of the foundation, the roof had collapsed and the surrounding area was overgrown with thick bushes. Nevertheless: The two Viana Styria officials saw the find as an order for renovation.
Laborious construction work
Clearing the thicket was the least of the tasks. Adapting the masonry and roof proved to be much more challenging. Above all, heaving the heavy stone slabs onto the roof as tiles meant hard physical labor. But why are there pulleys that make work easier? However, the intention to complete the project in 14 days could not be implemented because the mortar needed time to harden to a resilient level. Finally it was done: with the help of several members of the club, the work was completed. The structure, measuring around 2.20 m wide, one meter deep and a good four meters high, with two vault-like recesses on the front for pictures, crosses, reliefs or statues, was finished and the surrounding area was also leveled. Probably a strong contribution from sponsors such as Viktor Prassl, Josef Shourada, Anneliese and Gerfried Pongratz and the Steinbrecher Rath company.
Built around 1700
Why was a wayside shrine built there? “A settlement seems to have existed here before,” says Karl Dudek, referring to the remains of walls and two bridges. In any case, a toll station was set up there on the border between Admonter and Salzburger Boden. The lack of clarity: A building does not appear in the Franciscan cadastre, but it does appear in records from the early 18th century. “The monarchical officials were probably inattentive,” says the chairman, adding more weight to the earlier documents. His guess is that the broad pillar could have been built around 1700. “We sent in wood samples from the roof beams,” he hopes a dendrochronological study will provide clarification.
Lecture at the Triftweber Inn
The excursion to the wayside shrine was one, the evening meeting in the Triftweber inn was the second information event on the successful revitalization. The origin and restoration of the building was explained to the residents of the area using videos, pictures and a lot of historical background. A thank you to owner Irmgard Mörth: Like visitors, she invited everyone to have a snack.
2023-10-08 17:00:59
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