Interesting facts

In July 1637, the baron Rudolf von Teuffenbach requested permission from the bishop of Passau to construct a chapel using his own finances, ‘on his own property and land, between Stillfried and Angern’. Even though beginning as a Protestant, during the course of the Thirty Years War, Rudolf rendered much service to the Catholic Habsburgs. Just a few years after the beginning of the war, he converted to the Catholic faith. Subsequently he fought as a field marshal on the side of the great general Wallenstein against the Protestant forces. The bubonic plague began to spread among the troops and the general population. In 1634, after Wallenstein was murdered, Teuffenbach terminated his services. The chapel, inspired by the Italian baroque style, was erected as gratitude for physical well-being, in honour of Saint Roch, a Catholic saint who was invoked against the plague. Even before it was completed, the chapel was integrated into the parish. Soon the ‘children of the parish on both sides of the Morava’ came streaming into the church services on the Rochusberg. There was a lively bustle, especially during church festivities. People danced, drank wine, and consumed locally prepared sausages and gingerbread. The chapel assumed its current structure and appearance in the 18th century, when it was in the hands of the Kinsky family. Every year the vintners of the Morava celebrate at the Rochusberg with exquisite wine and food.