Gurk Attractions

The little market town of Gurk nestles in the center of the Gurk valley, some 30km/20mi north of Klagenfurt and 15km/10mi northwest of St Veit an der Glan. Gurk cathedral is one of the most important Romanesque churches in Austria and attracts numerous pilgrims. Known as a Celtic settlement back in Roman times, Gurk was first mentioned in the records in 864. Countess Hemma founded a church of Our Lady and a convent here in 1043, and it became the see of a bishop in 1072. In 1787 the see was transferred to Klagenfurt, and the church has now acquired the status of a basilica. Since 1932 the buildings erected in 1637-64 have been used by a Salvatorian order.