Whether in summer or winter, sometimes you just long for some rest and time for your own thoughts, without the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In our small town, we have just the right place for days like this. This is a very special place, above Viehhofen, the Niederbrand chapel. 

Behind the Viehhofen tennis court, a romantic path leads to this power place. On your way, you hike through the forest and listen to the rustling of the leaves in the wind and the soothing chirping of birds. The hike to the chapel takes about 45 minutes and is filled with silence, on a path that not only gives you strength during the pilgrimage. If you step out of the forest, the last few meters of the path are framed with old apple trees and the chapel sits majestically on its hill.

But the Niederbrand Chapel is not just a small gem in Viehhofen, it also tells a touching story from bygone times: 

Many farmers were drafted during World War I to do their duty in combat. Among them was Mathias Kendler, a farmer's son from Niederbrand in Viehhofen. Mathias Kendler fought in particularly bloody battles on the Eastern Front, and his company suffered numerous losses. In one of those terrible battles, almost all of his company were killed. Only Mathias Kendler and a soldier from Zell am See survived the cruel slaughter. The experiences of the war with all its losses and probably also the fear elicited a vow: "If I survive this, I will build a chapel for my fallen comrades." 

Mathias Kendler survived the great slaughter and returned to Viehhofen in 1918 with the aim of keeping his promise. Unfortunately, he did not manage to put his ambition into practice, as he died of the Spanish flu on November 5, 1918, before he could even start building the chapel. Years later, the widow, Gertraud Kendler, kept her deceased husband's promise and, with the help of the comradeship, began building the Niederbrand Chapel. The construction should take 2 years and the completion should take place in 1934.

The church, which arose from a pledge during painful times, has been lovingly renovated over the years by the descendant Hubert Kendler with the support of locals and family. The shingle roof, for example, was donated by the "Viehhofener Kameradschaftsbund" and the church windows received colourful paintings by relatives. 

Since then, the Niederbrand Chapel has stood majestically a little above Viehhofen and is accessible to everyone. It invites you to pause and listen to your thoughts. This is what Gertraud Kendler's last will, the builder of this piece of jewellery, says. After your visit to the Niederbrand Chapel, sit on a bench, breathe deeply in the fresh mountain air and fill your body with energy. Who knows, maybe Hubert, the descendant of Mathias Kendler, is on his way and tells you personally how the Niederbrand Chapel was built. 

The hiking trail to the chapel is accessible all year round. Only in very snowy winters, the path can't be passed, because there is no winter service.

If you follow the path behind the Niederbrand chapel, it will lead you to the brandgut. Indulge yourself with an impressive panorama towards Maishofen and the Schwalbenwand. 

All those who want to do a circular hike are well advised to take the "Einkehrrunde", as it leads you directly into the valley and has its destination in the village centre of Viehhofen. 

I wish you wonderful and quiet moments, which give you strength and let you forget everyday worries. 

Warm greetings 

Michaela