Romanesque Days at Hocheppan Castle in Missian

Idyllically located churches and chapels, richly adorned monasteries, castles and fortresses: on Saturday, 10 October, and Sunday, 11 October 2026, the Romanesque Days offer a rare opportunity to discover an exciting art period in many different ways. A total of 33 cultural sites across South Tyrol and nearby Switzerland will open their doors for free guided tours.

Step into monastic life of the past, explore chapels usually closed to the public, discover artistic treasures in castles and fortresses, and listen to music and texts from ancient manuscripts – these and many other extraordinary experiences await during the Days of Romanesque Art. Through exclusive and free guided tours, visitors can admire hidden beauties and historical secrets of well-known or lesser-known monuments and sacred buildings from the period between 950 and the mid-13th century.

On this special occasion, the castle chapel at Hocheppan Castle also welcomes all those interested. Free guided tours take place every half hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Considered one of the most important Romanesque monuments in South Tyrol, the chapel impresses with its valuable frescoes. The wall paintings, only fully uncovered in 1926, date back to the first decade of the 13th century. In addition to religious motifs, they also include rare secular depictions, such as a hunting scene on the outer wall. Particularly famous are the frescoes of the foolish virgins and the "dumpling eater" – the first known pictorial representation of Tyrolean dumplings.

The Days of Romanesque Art offer a unique chance to discover South Tyrol’s cultural and historical treasures and to experience the fascinating architecture and artwork of the Romanesque period up close.

For the full program and details on all tours and special events: https://www.stiegenzumhimmel.it/en. The program is continuously updated.