Austria - Kleinwalsertal/Mittelberg, Sankt Jodok Kirche

Soon after their immigration to Kleinwalsertal the Walser - coming from the Swiss canton Wallis - started building a first place of worship in Mittelberg. A stone with the year 1302 on the outside wall of the choir should be considered as proof of the existence of a small sacral building. In 1390, a new chapel with altar and cemetery was inaugurated. In 1391 Mittelberg was raised to an independent parish. Until then, the place belonged to the parish of Fischen in Allgäu (Germany).

Over the years the church became too small and in 1460 the construction of the new church in Mittelberg was started. It was built in gothic style and consecrated in 1463 with three altars. Sankt Jodok (Saint Judoc) - who lived in the 7th century - was chosen as the patron saint of the church. Its current appearance became the church in 1693 by a seven meter extension and the construction of the sacristy and a gallery. An avalanche had invaded the nave that year, so the main entrance was walled in and two side doors were opened.

The slender tower of the church - with a height of 66 meters - is a real architectural landmark of the Kleinwalsertal. The interior offers some amazing wall frescoes, dating back to the year of 1470. The restored late-Gothic murals give the parish church a special atmosphere; they once represented the so called "biblia pauperum": the Bible for believers ignorant of reading.