Scararbine
The Skarbin is the easternmost branch of the Sattnitz , a mountain range in the Klagenfurt Basin . Its name is probably derived from the Celtic word Skarbie , which means something like horn. This refers to a conspicuous rock cone, visible from afar, that rises on the steep eastern slopes of the mountain.
Skarbin ( Slov. Škrbinja) also refers to a district of the Grafenstein municipality in southern Austria . It covers most of the mountain range and is only sparsely populated with 21 inhabitants (as of 2001 census).
Legends
According to legend, this horn rock represents a basket weaver petrified because of his curse , which is why the conspicuous formation is popularly known as basket weaver rock . On the northern slope of the Skarbin, not far from the village of Grafenstein, are the remains of Altgrafenstein Castle . The legendary castle of Saint Hildegard von Stein (meaning Stein im Jauntal ), Prosnitza Castle , is said to have stood not far from the Hornfelsen.
The striking rock tower was probably first climbed by Christian Grillitsch and Stefan Schneeweihs. The first ascent was preceded by two years of planning.
Quote: "First we climbed the northeast slope of the tower to get an idea of what awaits us up there. Then we climbed up to the saddle on the second attempt, with crampons, because of the slippery rock. On the third Sometimes we had all the equipment with us, hooks, ropes, wedges and hammers. In the gap we found a tree as a stand and from there we went to the summit. We hooked a few hooks for intermediate safety and then later attached a fixed rope . The conglomerate was very unreliable. In the next few times we and Georg Mühlbauer brought up a summit cross, which we anchored in the rock with cement. We gave the tower the name Olsta. "
You can still see the cross on the road from Grafenstein to Annabrücke near Gumisch.
--- Winter 2010/11: The weather has defeated the cross. It fell into the woods. ---
Quote from the first to climb: "The Olsta Fox lives on." Quote end.
Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross running between Gumisch and Saager Castle is likely to be a much older route from the Gurk - into the Drautal , which in the past enabled people to get around easily from high above the swampy Drau region.
Rock sculptures
On the forest path that runs from Sankt Anna near Saager Castle directly under the rock walls of the Skarbin in the mountainside to Gumisch, you can find rock sculptures possibly of Celtic origin, later adopted by Christianity . These are boulders with chiseled niches that have been smoothed with mortar and decorated with rural paintings. Over time, the condition has visibly deteriorated, so that only one picture has been preserved to some extent, namely the one in the last niche in the rock, which depicts the legendary fall of Hildegard von Stein from Prosnitza Castle. Even if the picture is in very bad condition, a castle can still be seen on the rock and a floating angel at the bottom right. Lilies can be seen growing out of the two intersecting hearts . These represent a symbol of purity, innocence and virginity.
Forest path between Saager and Gumisch under the Skarbin eruptions above the Annabrücke
One of five rock niches on the forest path under the Skarbin
Rock sculpture on the forest path between Saager and Gumisch
Image description
The Christian legend counts the umbellate milk star, the white lily, among the herbs and grasses of the manger in which Mary laid the baby Jesus. (This scene is shown in the left part of the heart.) Seized with awe-inspiring love, the Milky Star grew to wind a wreath of flowers around the head of the heavenly boy. In general, the lily is connected with the descent of the Savior. With a lily in his hand, the Archangel Gabriel descended from the highest heaven to proclaim the Immaculate Conception to the Virgin.
Complete representation of the rock sculpture on the Prosenitza forest path
Left half of the heart of the rock carving on the Prosenitza forest path
Right half of the heart of the rock carving on the Prosenitza forest path
In a figurative sense, this describes the descent of the higher self into the receptive purified soul of man. After her salvation from the planned death by rock fall (shown on the right part of the heart picture), Hildegard's soul is cleansed of stone, ready to receive the breath of the divine, ready to leave the worldly behind.
Image interpretation
The white lily, however, not only points the way of the heavenly into earthly existence, but also the return to it, the color white reminds of the bleached bones or the pallor of dying, death, leaving behind.
In a figurative sense, this means the abandonment and death of the lower personality entangled in egoism and the ascent into Christ consciousness, into unconditional love. Hildegard now lives as a helper for the poor and needy and thus unconditionally places herself at the service of humanity.
It should also be mentioned that the Greeks ascribe the origin of the white lilies to the drops of milk that spurted out of Hera's breasts and fell on the earth when she nursed the divine child Heracles . Here again the lily as a symbol for the connection between the divine and the worldly.
The rock niches are where Hildegard and Dorothea are said to have been saved, and you can still find yellow lilies growing wild between the rocks.
