"Valentinum" opens

A museum for a Lungau legend

Already a cult figure during his lifetime: Pastor Pfeifenberger gets his own museum 20 years after his death

(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

He rode out for the last time on Palm Sunday in 2004: Pastor Valentin Pfeifenberger. To mark the 20th anniversary of his death, the "Bishop of Lungau" has his own museum at his former place of work in Thomatal.

He was already a cult figure during his lifetime: Valentin "Voitl" Pfeifenberger, parish priest of Thomatal for decades. Almost every adult in Lungau can tell a story about him. As a clergyman, a curate for marksmen or a member of the United of Tamsweg, he was always among the people. As the "Bishop of Lungau", Pfeifenberger celebrated his high mass on Palm Sunday. The annual ride on the living Palmesel was even immortalized as a statue in his home parish. 20 years after his death, the "Valentinum" - his own museum - is now opening in Thomatal.

From Pfeifenberger's last Palmeseride on April 4, 2004...

(Bild: Roland Holitzky)

... the original palm crown is still preserved and on display.

(Bild: Roland Holitzky)

Own building for the "Voitl"
"Pfeifenberger's estate has not been accessible to the public since his death," says Mayor Klaus Drießler. He was one of the initiators of the museum, which will take a look at his life and work far beyond Thomatal from Palm Sunday tomorrow.

The "Valentinum" was conceived and finally built together with a special interest group, which took care of the estate during his lifetime. You can immerse yourself in the life of "Voitl" Pfeifenberger in his own exhibition building. From the early days in Thomatal in 1956 to his final palm tree ride in April 2004, just a few months before his death.