City of Krems an der Donau
The finish: Bürgerspital church Krems.
The city of Krems marks the finishing point of the Way of St. James in the Weinviertel region. Once you see Bürgerspital church, you have reached your destination.
Krems is located in the Danube valley, on the eastern edges of the Wachau region and the southern parts of the Waldviertel region. The Wagram and Tullnerfeld regions border it in the east. Inhabited since the days of the Roman Empire, the town of Mautern lies on the Danube's right bank.
Diversity of churches
The diversity of churches characterises life in the city of Krems. One of the largest churches of the Diocese of St. Pölten is the city's parish church which stands out mainly with its magnificent Baroque decorations. However, it's the Bürgerspital church that is of central importance to pilgrims walking the Way of St. James. It is located in the middle of the pedestrian zone and dates back to the public hospital (hence its name which translates into "citizen's hospital") where old and sick people were treated in the past. It also marks the finishing point of the Weinviertel region stage of the Way of St. James. The Bürgerspital church serves as a place of tranquility in the centre of the bustling city.
The old part of Krems and the Steiner gate
Above the parish church, situated on an elevation, lies the Piarist church with Krems' city tower, where the tower keeper would be on the lookout for fires or enemy attacks. The pilgrimage path then leaves the old part of Krems through Steiner gate and continues to Stein an der Donau.