In 1289, a battle between relatives took place here in the Balzener Au. The Bishop of Chur, Friedrich von Montfort, was defeated and captured here by his cousin Hugo II von Werdenberg-Heiligenberg.
It is said that the first chapel was built here to commemorate this event. Certainly without the Mariahilf picture, as the original was not built until 52 years later.
The current chapel dates from the 19th century. The picture of St Mary's Help of Christians dates from the 17th/18th century.
The altarpiece is a copy of Cranach's painting of Mary Help of Christians.
The right side altar is crowned by a depiction of St John of Nepomuk, whose fall can be seen in the background.
The landmark of Balzers is Gutenberg Castle. It was built in the 12th century by the Lords of Frauenberg. It stands on Roman foundations. One of the last Frauenbergs was the minnesinger "Heinrich von Frauenberg", whose five songs are preserved in the Manesse manuscript. In 1314, the castle became the property of the Habsburgs and was used as a sentry post against the Helvetii, who were camped on the St. Luzisteig. Even Emperor Maximilian I spent the night in the castle in 1499. Gutenberg Castle was restored in the 19th century and is now owned by the state.
