Seven Springs Trail Ratschendorf (Sieben-Quellen-Weg Ratschendorf)

The focus of this circular hike is on various water power places. In Deutsch Goritz you should definitely take a look at the church, because its interior was painted by the Seckau painter Father Lukas (Hermann Reicht) in the Beuron style. The visitors of the church, who could not read, should understand the Bible on the basis of the pictures. The path leads through the church square to the Peter Spring. At the "Steirerquell" the thirst can be quenched right away. In the "Jaun", the wetland in the south of Deutsch Goritz, it is especially interesting in spring, because of the large occurrence of spring knotweed. The hike leads us to a place of cultural-historical importance at the "Wäsch", the place where hemp and flax used to be dried and the village farmers' laundry was washed. In the village square of Ratschendorf you can see a modern fountain. In the small wood "Hügelstaudach" there is one of the 34 Roman-period tumuli fields of the Radkersburg district.

We start our hike in front of the church of Deutsch Goritz, where you should take a look: The paintings inside, painted in the "Beuron style" by the Seckau painter Father Lukas (Hermann Reicht), were intended to bring the Bible closer to those who could not read. Therefore, the painting is also called "Bible for the poor". From here we walk in the direction of Weixelbaum and after 700m we turn left to the Peterquelle, where we can also taste the mineral water at a fountain. Across two streams and along field paths we reach Salsach. Here we can explore what the "tear of Salsach" is, and then walk along the road towards Deutsch Goritz. In the bend we turn left and immediately dive into the Jaun. This name refers to the wetland to the south of Deutsch Goritz (in spring there is a large occurrence of spring knotweed here), through which we hike via the "Wäsch" - where hemp and flax used to be dried and the village farmers' laundry was washed - to Ratschendorf.Here we can either return to the starting point via the road or begin the second loop of the hike. This first takes us north to Pechmann's old oil mill, a traditional cider tavern with an attached old-timer museum, where we can even look over the shoulder of the kernel oil presser. Afterwards we hike nicely flat between the ponds to the pilgrimage church Maria Helfbrunn. As the name suggests, the water from this spring helps with illnesses and therefore numerous pilgrims come here every year. Now we head east along the Helfbrunn terrace. This terrain edge dates back to the ice age, when a lot of loose material was deposited here. Interesting are also the many springs, which result from the fact that a layer of clay in the terrace does not allow the water to seep away and instead leads to these springs. Finally, we reach the grove Hügelstaudach, where there is a Roman-period tumulus field. Based on the results of the archaeological excavations, a museum has been established in the old cold store of Ratschendorf. The road then leads back to Ratschendorf and Deutsch Goritz.