Heiligenblut

Heiligenblut is a municipality in the Austrian state of Carinthia. It lies in the Hohe Tauern range, at the foot of the Großglockner, Austria’s highest peak, and is part of the district of Spittal an der Drau. The municipal area covers the village of Heiligenblut am Großglockner and several surrounding hamlets in a high Alpine valley.

The name Heiligenblut, meaning Holy Blood, reflects the village’s historic association with a relic of the Holy Blood housed in the parish church. The Pfarrkirche Heiligenblut am Großglockner is dedicated to Saint Vincent and contains a revered relic that has drawn pilgrims since the Middle Ages.

The settlement sits at roughly 1,300 meters above sea level in a landscape of alpine meadows, scree, and glaciers; snow-scarred winters and short, cool summers are typical.

Tourism dominates the economy, with mountaineering, hiking, and winter sports. The Großglockner High Alpine Road, a renowned scenic route through the Hohe Tauern, links Heiligenblut to the national park and to nearby valleys, bringing visitors for panoramic views and access to hiking and ski areas.

In addition to the parish church, Heiligenblut serves as a gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park. The town features traditional Alpine architecture and hosts religious and seasonal events tied to the Holy Blood relic.

The municipality is administered from Carinthia and is accessible by road via the Großglockner High Alpine Road. It falls within the district of Spittal an der Drau.