Kostely a kláštery

Tucked away on a quiet side street in Merano lies an unexpected architectural treasure: the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. With its distinctive onion dome and traditional interior, it offers a rare glimpse into Russian cultural and religious life – unique in South Tyrol and found only here in Merano.
In the late 19th century, the spa town on the Passer River became a popular destination for affluent Russians escaping the severe climate of their homeland. Thanks to the generous legacy of Moscow native Nadezhda Ivanovna Borodina – for whom the adjacent memorial is named – the church was built in 1897 to plans by Merano architect Tobias Brenner.
Inside, visitors are greeted by arched windows, glowing icons, and an atmosphere of quiet reverence. Just next door, the Borodina Memorial houses a rich collection of books, periodicals, and photographs that chronicle the life of Merano’s Russian community.
Architecture and Historical Context:
This chapel is a fine example of 19th-century Russian Orthodox architecture adapted to the Alpine setting. The onion dome and round-arched windows reflect traditional stylistic features, while the interior exudes a spiritual calm. Built at a time when Merano attracted Russian aristocrats and intellectuals, the church continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural focal point for the local Orthodox community.
Nadezhda Borodina Memorial:
Next to the church, the memorial houses over 1,300 books, magazines, liturgical texts, and historical documents, making it a valuable archive of Russian cultural heritage. Among the collection are also handcrafted toys from the Pescatori-Bragaglia collection in Verona, providing an intimate window into everyday life of the time.
The church was officially transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church in 2017, reaffirming its enduring significance for Orthodox Christians in Merano and beyond.

The parish church of St. Peter was built according to the plans by Matthäus Wachter in the 18th century and was dedicated to the saints Peter and Paul. The late baroque frescoes were painted by Joseph Schöpf, one of the most eminent painters of Tyrol. The bell tower dates back to the year 1897.

The most prominent artwork of Tramin and at the same time one of the finest masterpieces of Tyrolean art can be found in the small St. Jakob church situated on a hill above the village.

It contains a well- preserved Romanescue fresco cycle dating back to about 1220. The figures portrayedin the colourful frescoes are quite atypical in painting since they are usually represented as stone sculptures. In fact, on the walls of the small chancel you can admire bizarre hybrid creatures with both human an beastly attributes, fabulous figures emanating from the myths of medieval times. They all seem to represent the sinful antagonism of the overlying scenes showing a graceful depiction of the Twelve Apostels with the enthroned Crist in the Mandorla, the almond- shaped aureole.

The southern annex of the chapel contains yet another jewel: here the painter Ambrosius Gander executed some bright and valuable murals, amongst which the well-known legend of the Pilgrims. The inscription tells us that these paintings were completed 1441.

Already in the 13th century, there was a St. Mary’s church at Teis which, however, was destroyed by the heavy earthquake in 1471. The present-day neo-Gothic nave was completed in 1890 and consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The bell tower dates back to around 1500 and the great bell was cast at Innsbruck in 1734.

The mausoleum was built between 1860 and 1869 according to the plans of the Vienna architect professor Moritz Wappler, as a burial place for Archduke Johann of Austria and his family. The church is situated on an artificial terrace at the western edge of the church hill and is one of the earliest and without doubt the most successful sacred building in the Neo-Gothic style. The building was constructed of red sandstone and granite from the Ifinger region. In the underground crypt chapel with its heavy ribbed vaults, there is the marble sarcophagus of Archduke Johann and his wife.

The mausoleum can only be visited with a guided tour in German and Italian; please arrive punctually at 9:30 AM!

 

Marienberg Abbey above Burgeis/ Burgusio dates back to the 12th Century. The highest located Benedictine abbey in Europe is situated at an altitude of 1,340 m a.s.l., since 900 years monks live here according to the rules of Saint Benedict of Nursia. Today, the main hall displays impressions about the daily life of the monks marked by Benedict's credo ora et labora. The exhibition displays also beautiful paintings such as the Romanesque Crypt frescoe with its unique depiction of angels.

Special exhibitions:

- Marienberg in front of and behind the lens
- Maria

Guided Tours
All information about guided tours and timetables can be found at https://www.marienberg.it/en/museum/guided-tours.html.

The tiny church founded in 1744 by the mine owner, Michael von Jenner, is nestled in extraordinary countryside. The altar paintings by Franz Sebald Unterberger from the Fleim Valley are particullary noteworthy. The church is privately owned and the access is subject to a fee.
However, the church remains closed. 

Please do not enter the meadows surrounded by fence.