Saint Veit and His Influence in the Region
Saint Veit, from whom this place takes its name, was known as a devoted Christian who worked hard to convert the people of these lands to the Christian faith. According to tradition, he suffered persecution during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Because of his strong faith and his efforts in spreading Christianity, many churches and towns across Europe were later named after him. His memory remained important for the people of this region, and they believed that he had special power in curing certain illnesses Journey through the Mountain Towns and Rivers.
One disease especially connected with Saint Veit is the strange dancing sickness known as “Chorea Sancti Viti,” or St. Vitus’ dance. The people believed that prayers to Saint Veit could help cure those who suffered from uncontrolled movements and shaking. This belief shows how closely religion and health were linked in earlier times, when medical knowledge was limited and faith played a great role in healing.
Journey to Saal, the Ancient Roman Colony
From St. Veit we travelled to Saal, also called Solua in ancient times. It was once a Roman colony and is marked on old maps, such as those by Wolfgang Lazius, under the name Colonia Solvensis. Near this place lies a field called Ager Solvensis, or Zolfeldt, which is very rich in ancient Roman remains. Many valuable antiquities have been found in this field and carried to other regions for study and preservation.
While visiting this field, I saw the famous “King’s Chair,” a remarkable ancient monument. It is made of stone and shaped like two elbow chairs placed back to back. Three of the stones bear inscriptions, and these writings appear even older than the chair itself. This object has long been used in an important ceremony for the installation of the Duke of Carinthia Turkey Private Tours.
The Ceremony of the Duke’s Installation
During the installation ceremony, the Duke—whether he be a king, prince, or emperor—sits, or appoints a substitute to sit, in the eastern part of the stone chair. A countryman, known as a Baur, sits in the western part. This ceremony is full of symbolic actions. The countryman rises and presents the Duke with two oxen: one fat and one lean. The Duke must accept the lean ox and return the fat one, showing humility and fairness.
After this, the countryman gently strikes the Duke on the ear. Though it may seem strange, this act is part of the traditional ritual and represents the Duke’s duty to rule justly and to remember the people. Only after these steps is the Duke considered properly installed in his authority.
The Ancient Church of Saal and Its Traditions
The church at Saal is very old and is said to have survived the destruction caused by many barbarous invasions. Inside the church, I saw the tomb of Modestus, who was known as a companion of Saint Veit. The monument is simple, yet it is respected by the local people. There is also a tradition that the tomb has moved closer to the altar by about a yard since it was first placed, which many consider a miracle.
Roman Antiquities on the Church Walls
The walls of the church contain many Roman antiquities carved in fine relief. These were mostly taken from the nearby field of Zolfeldt. Among the carvings I observed were several remarkable figures and scenes. There was a chariot drawn by two horses, and another chariot carrying a man. I also saw a carving of a wolf licking fruit that had fallen from a tree, and a powerful image of Hector fastened to the chariot of Achilles as he was dragged around Troy.
Other carvings included four well-shaped heads shown to the middle, and two wolves holding a horn and a cup between them, from which a vine with leaves and grapes grows. This piece is placed over the church porch. Inside the porch there is also a figure of Cupid holding a bunch of grapes. Another notable image shows Romulus and Remus being fed by a wolf, a famous symbol from Roman legend.
There are also two figures placed over the crucifix near Saint Christopher, along with several other ancient sculptures. All these works were found in Zolfeldt and show the strong Roman history of the area. In addition to the carvings, I also saw many Latin inscriptions on stones, especially one placed on the south side of the church wall. These inscriptions further prove that this region was once an important Roman settlement and still preserves many traces of its ancient past.
