Misery? It's a sight for sore eyes

The bench by the chapel at Maria Elend has a marvelous view along the Pinzgau valley

The weather seems to be driven by someone taking their first driving lesson. One day he engages first gear and we leap forward into summer with temperatures around 30C, then next day, reverse is accidentally engaged and we jump back towards winter and need to light a fire.

Despite the sputtering start, spring is well under way and the meadows are bright with flowers, the trees bursting with fresh green and the tinkling of cow bells can be heard once again.

Visitors are beginning to arrive in Embach and one of the most popular walks from the village centre leads to the tiny chapel of Maria Elend and its adjacent spring. Legend has it that a blind and backward child went missing and the mother promised to fund a chapel if she was found. The girl, Ursula Peyninger was found by a spring which had restored her sight and her senses and a chapel has been on the site since the 1500s.

The spring continues to run and it is said to be beneficial for the sight. Adjacent to the chapel and spring is a gasthof where the cakes have been said to be otherwise beneficial.

Elend, translated means misery – quite why the chapel was given this name is a mystery to me – but it remains an important point of pilgrimage.

The 30-40 minute walk from the village is certainly no misery, commanding lovely views towards the Hochkönig mountain and along the Pinzgau valley towards Zell am See. Of course there are plenty of benches from which to enjoy the stunning scenery. 

Here are some  of the best benches:

Shady picnic spot in sight of the Gasthof at Maria Elend