Old Parish Church of Gries

The castle of the Counts of Tyrol originally occupied the location of the present-day Muri-Gries Abbey, while the church serving the area (known as Cheller or Keller from the Early Middle Ages until the 15th century, when Gries started to be used instead) was built somewhat north of the castle.

As late as the 13th century, the parson in charge of the church came from Innichen Abbey, which belonged to the Prince-Bishopric of Freising.

Among the people buried here, Austrian admiral and explorer Bernhard von Wüllerstorf-Urbair is among the more well-known.

The one is a Romanesque crucifix, dating from circa 1200 and probably made abroad (possibly northern France).

In the background, angels are holding a brocade drapery, which creates an illusory sense of depth.

The scene is framed by tracery pillars which end in pinnacles mounted by angels playing music.

In the corners there are statuettes of the Archangel Michael fighting the dragon and Saint Erasmus, respectively.