Carinthia Places

Maria Wörth

The spire of Maria Wörth's parish church reflected in the waters of the Wörther See is one of Austria's most photographed sights. This unpretentious little town is on a wooded peninsula jutting out toward the center of the lake, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. It actually has two notable churches, both dating from the 12th century.

Using one of the ferries that ply the Wöther See, you can head across the waters from Pörtschach to the village of Maria Wörth (note that these ferries operate only from May through September, and cars are not allowed on them; as the lake is 1½-km [1-mi] wide and 17-km long, it's not far to drive around).