Steinach am Brenner

The first documented settlement of Steinach am Brenner dates back to 985, when the village was situated on a hill, near the Church of St. Ursula, as "Muron." The present name is mentioned for the first time in 1220, apparently derived from "Steina", referring to the many large rocks at the place. In 1349, the Court was moved permanently to Steinach from Aufenstein, placed at the entrance to the Valley of Navis, while the church depended on the Parish of Matrei am Brenner. In 1407 it was designated as a market town, than in 1574 and subsequently confirmed in 1639. Given its transit position, Steinach was a place of rest for many personalities over the years, such as Charles V, Ferdinand I (1530) and Pope Pius VI (1782). Andreas Hofer, during the Tyrolean rebellion, sometimes made his headquarters here and, on November 3, 1809, took the decision to surrender. In 1936 Steinach received its official status as market town. During the Second World War Steinach was bombed several times because of the railway line.[3]

The arms of Steinach consists of a shield with a blue background, crossed by a yellow diagonal arrow pointing down to the left and two yellow circles, arranged in opposite to each other. The significance of the emblem is not known if the two circles represent the stones from which the name of the village. The emblem was issued July 21, 1936.[4]

Interior of the parish church of St. Erasmus

The church, built between 1337 and 1353, was originally a chapel dedicated to St. Erasmus, Quirino and Christopher. At the beginning of the sixteenth century under the Emperor Maximilian, was built a new church dedicated to St. Erasmus, in Baroque style designed and conducted by Franz de Paula Penz. In 1853 the Great Fire of Steinach destroyed the church too and two years later was rebuilt under the direction of Joseph von Stadl. It is characterized by an imposing facade with two towers and a Romanesque portico. The church, a parish in 1891, has a bright apse with large windows, a redundant altar and frescoed ceilings. The pipe organ was built by Orgelbau Pirchner.

The church of St. Ursula, situated at Mauern, is mentioned in 985 as the oldest of the place and still preserves the ancient Roman structure. The interior underwent a renovation in 1678 transforming the altar in late Gothic style. Near the church was the original cemetery then transferred to Steinach in 1483.

The church of St. Ulrich, situated in the village of Tienzens, once under the diocese of Augsburg, was built in 1306 and renovated in 1732 in baroque style. [5]