Einsiedelei am Palfen

A Baroque hermitage built directly into the cliff face of the Palfen rock above Saalfelden, founded in 1664. The small chapel and former hermit cells cling to a ledge in the rock at the end of a short but steep footpath, with views across the Saalfelden basin and toward the Steinernes Meer plateau. The position is the thing: half church, half cave.

The Einsiedelei am Palfen is a Baroque hermitage built into the cliff face above Saalfelden, founded in 1664 when a hermit received permission from the Archbishop of Salzburg to occupy a rock cavity on the Palfen. The small chapel is embedded in the cliff at the end of a steep footpath, with views across the Saalfelden basin. Free access; allow 1-2 hours round trip from the town center. Open year-round but best May to October. A rare example of Baroque devotional architecture literally built into natural rock.