Jankaskirche Steinformation

Windhaag bei Freistadt, Oberösterreich, Österreich

All weather
Suitable for groups

Viewing rock with via ferrata on the Waschenberg.

Stone rock located on the southern slope of the Waschenberg in the municipality of Windhaag near Freistadt. There are three hollows (sacrificial bowls) at the top of the rock.

The devil is said to have once made the rock on the Waschenberg his home. In order to attract human souls, he furnished the rock like a church. He also installed a sacristy next to the rock in a cave.

Every Sunday when the bells rang in Windhaag, the devil also began to preach in the Janka church. He promised anyone who came near and gave him their soul that he would reward them with three full bowls of money.

When, after a long time, there was still no one to promise the devil his soul, he became so angry that he slid down the rock on his backside, roaring and shouting, and disappeared never to be seen again. As it slid down, the whole rock shook and from then on became full of cracks and fissures. The roof of the sacristy also collapsed, leaving only a small cave.

The huge rock is very easy to find and can be climbed easily thanks to climbing aids.

There is another power place nearby, the Lippenhöhe (N48 35.770 E14 34.882)

Opening hours

always open (24/7)
opened daily
open to the public

Arrival

Accessibility / arrival

Coming from Linz, take the A7 motorway towards Freistadt as far as Unterweitersdorf, continue on the S10 as far as the Grünbach/Sandl exit. Continue on the B38 towards Sandl. Turn off towards Grünbach/Windhaag. Follow the main road to Windhaag. In Windhaag turn right towards Oberwindhaag at GH Sengstschmid. Follow the road to the Predetschlag/Waschenberg junction. Turn left towards Waschenberg. Follow the road as far as the turn-off (car park). Follow the hiking trail W1 on foot to the Jankaskirche church.

Parking