Kotschach-Mauthen Attractions

Kötschach-Mauthen (706m/2,316ft) is the chief town in the upper Gailtal. Of special interest is its parish church of Our Lady (1518-27), a Late Gothic hall-church with uniquely decorated ceilings, the ribbed vaulting of which follows fantastic looped patterns. Also of interest in the northeast choir are the large fresco depicting the story of Our Lady and the painting of the Madonna on the high altar, thought to be Gothic. The interior also boasts some Roccoco work. For centuries Kötschach-Mauthen has been an important junction on the road to Italy over the Plocken pass (1,360m/4,462ft; open-air museum commemorating the First World War). The road climbs the 650m/2,135ft to the pass in only 13.5km/8.5mi, with gradients of 14% (1 in 7) and several hairpin bends. The name Mauthen recalls the toll (Maut) which was once levied here.