The Dreimadlkirche (Three Girls‘ Church)

Shaded by an ancient ash tree, a small but all the more interesting church is located above the Inntal south of Schönwies in Obsaurs. It is actually dedicated to Saint Vigilius - by the way, the only church in North Tyrol; but the popular name of the late Gothic church refers to three completely different "saints" who are not even listed in the official Roman Catholic calendar of saints.

The Dreimadlkirche was built around 1500 by Landeck craftsmen, a rather simple building with a two-bay nave and a diamond network vault. The porch was added in 1853. Inside and outside, there are numerous, mostly heavily damaged wall paintings from the 16th and early 17th centuries. The bell tower stands apart on a hill above the church. It is a massive, late medieval tower stump, whose actual function is unknown. It was only later that it was converted into a bell tower by a wooden structure.

Especially in the sources of the 17th century, St. Vigil is often referred to as the church of the three holy virgins Ainbet, Wilbet and Gwerbet. What these three women are all about is largely a mystery today. In the Alpine region, in South Tyrol and Bavaria, they are occasionally encountered, often with other, similar-sounding names such as Aubet, Ubet, Quere, Querbetten, or Borbet. They also appear in Worms and Strasbourg as Embede, Warbede, and Willebede. They may possibly be identical to the Blessed Maidens who haunt the world of legends, perhaps even going back to the cult of the goddess Rehtia, which was widespread in the Alpine region in Roman times, so that the Romans referred to the entire population as Rhaetians. A spring flows from the old ash tree next to St. Vigil, which could be an indication that a pre-Christian spring sanctuary was located at this place.

A baroque painting above the entrance shows the three holy virgins: All three hold books in their hands, St. Ambett and St. Wilbett also hold rose branches, St. Gwerbett in the middle carries a sun scepter, as is often seen in depictions of Jupiter as Sol Invictus. In the background, a landscape with a city view and threatening storm clouds can be seen. It is reported that women used to visit the church to pray for fertility here. But perhaps the three were also weather women who could ward off storms, lightning, and thunder. St. Vigilius himself is also considered a weather patron.

The church is certainly not easy to find for those unfamiliar with the area, the signposts to Obsaurs are sparse, and so it is easy to get lost on the mountain roads. It is easier for hikers coming from the Jakobsweg. Here, there is a small, well-marked detour to St. Vigil. In the church, you can also find the testimony of a pilgrim from the year 1604: He then painted the scallop shell and the crossed pilgrim's staff on the wall with red chalk.