St. Gallenkirch & Gortipohl

St. Gallenkirch  www.gemeinde.stgallenkirch.at

History

Spreading of High Alpine Pastures and Dairy Farms in the Innerfratte Region during the High Middle Ages.

From 1300 onwards, the Walser Germans immigrated from what is today´s Swiss canton Wallis. "Sant Galli in vallile", as the place was called in 1304, was a part of the Bludenz parish. In 1483, at the latest, the autonomous parish of St. Gallus was founded. A daughter curch was built in 1499 in Gortipohl (from Rhaeto-Rhomanic "Cort de Paolo, curtapal, Gurtapal, meaning "Paul´s Court"). There were times when St. Gallenkirch was the Bludenz region´s most populated municipality. The number of inhabitants has been constantly rising well into the 19th century, contributing to the problems of mountain farmers and eventually leading to an increased migration away from the village.

Since the 50ies, the villages of St. Gallenkirch and Gortipohl have changed considerably under the influence of tourism.

1969: beginning development of the Garfrescha skiing region -- one two-person chairlift and a couple of tows. 1972 onwards: connected to the attractive "Silvretta Nova" skiing region via the Versettla area. In 1981, the "Valiser Cable Railway" started operation, then the biggest circular cable railway all over the world. St. Gallenkirch became Vorarlberg´s biggest skiing resort in terms of ski-lift capacity.

Scenery & Sights

St. Gallenkirch Church (Gothic style, dating back to 1474. Extended in the 17th and 18th centuries). Gortipohl Church (dating back to the 17th/18th century. Extended and restored in during the years 1970-71). Gargellen Church (17th/17th century). Great number of precious historic Montafon houses in Gortipohl and Galgenul, as well as some historic alpine pastures around Gortipohl.

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