Black Madonna Forest Chapel on Muraunberg
Description
The forest chapel is located on Muraunberg, the local mountain of St. Veit, and is commonly referred to as the “Black Madonna” by locals.
This small chapel, featuring a flat barrel vault and a wooden porch, was donated in the mid-19th century by the married couple Vinzenz and Barbara Trixner (née Florian) from St. Veit.
It houses a statue of the Black Madonna, from which the chapel takes its name. The chapel was consecrated on 17 July 1864 by Franz Franzisci.
The chapel is oriented east–west and is built over three springs, which were combined and now flow as a single stream. These springs are said to have healing properties.
Inscription
On the gable outside is the inscription: “Under your protection and shelter we flee, O holy Mother of God.”
Location
The chapel stands on Muraunberg in the southwest of St. Veit, deep within the forest.
Year of Origin
The chapel was constructed in 1864.
Legend, History, Folklore
According to legend, a hunter used to go squirrel hunting in the woods on Sundays instead of attending church. One Sunday, as punishment for his godlessness, devils disguised as squirrels attacked him. In his desperation, the man prayed to the Virgin Mary for help – and she came to his aid. In gratitude, he built a wooden chapel at that very spot in the forest and placed a statue of the Virgin Mary inside. Later, even during the Turkish invasions, the sacred site remained unharmed – only the statue within turned black.
Another story tells the following:
One night, a farmer was walking home to the Muraunerhof after a heavy drinking session in town. Hoping to take a shortcut, he ventured into the forest. As the bell of the parish church in St. Veit struck midnight, a storm rose, and something began to stir in the undergrowth. Pale figures emerged and seemed about to attack him. He tried to flee but stumbled down a steep slope and lay there, injured. Facing death, he remembered he was carrying a blessed rosary. He began to pray fervently. When the bell struck one o’clock, the haunting ceased abruptly, and he fell into an exhausted sleep. The next morning, he was able to limp home. Grateful for having survived the ordeal, he soon had a chapel built and placed an image of the Virgin Mary inside.
A tale appears in Carinthian Legends by Georg Graber:
Treasure Hunters on the Muraunberg
It is said that great treasures lie buried in the Muraunberg near St. Veit, but no one has ever succeeded in retrieving them, though many have tried their luck. One day, at an auspicious hour, three brave men entered the forest with spades and shovels and began digging with great energy, following the proper incantation. Eventually, they came upon a large iron chest. Just as they cleared away the debris and prepared to lift it, a black dog with flaming eyes appeared and stared at them. Terrified, they fled, leaving everything behind. From afar, they could still hear sighing, wailing, and the loud noise of the treasure sinking back into the depths.