Strudener Schifferkirche

Legend has it that Emperor Maximilian I built a Gothic St Mary's Church in Struden to thank him for saving his life. Legend has it that Emperor Maximilian I, when he spent the night at his castle at Werfenstein in 1502
castle at Werfenstein in 1502, only escaped certain death from a collapsing
only escaped certain death from a collapsing ceiling because the little grey man
and thus saved him from death.
As a document from the former free court of Struden dated 16 November 1790
testifies that Emperor Maximilian is indeed the founder of St Mary's Church in Struden. He
wanted to give the sailors and salt workers travelling up and down
and salt workers travelling up and down the river to be able to hear mass here on Sundays and public holidays.
on Sundays and public holidays.
In 1784, by order of Emperor Joseph II, this church was closed and sold in favour of the religious fund.
sold in favour of the religious fund. Since the final auction in 1792, the building, which had been remodelled for residential purposes, has been privately owned.

The high altar with the tabernacle went to the parish church of St Nikola, as did the statue of the Virgin Mary, the vestments, chalices, candlesticks and church linen, while the small organ was given to the church in Klam; the two bells were taken to Kreuzen. This old Gothic aisled church can still be recognised today in the polygonal finial in the turret and in the walled pointed arch windows. In front of the former church is a small square where once stood the sign of market justice and the free court, the pillory, which is now wrongly located at Werfenstein Castle.