Church Sanct Valentin Villandro/Villanders

On the road from Klausen to Villanders stands the church dedicated to St. Valentine. St. Valentine’s Church is a single-nave building with a straight-ended chancel and a pointed side spire. The church is first mentioned in 1303; it burned down around 1400 and, during its renewal, the former flat ceiling was replaced by the present, very beautiful Gothic star vault. The altar inside is a fine Neo-Gothic woodcarving and, on either side of the “Gottesmauer,” shows the two St Valentines: the bishop and, to Mary’s left, the priest saint. Particularly valuable works of art are the frescoes on the west façade depicting the Crucifixion group and St Anne with Mary and the Christ Child. They are delicate figures with soft, rounded drapery folds. Patterned halos and picture frames with geometric ornament identify these images as outstanding works of the so-called “beautiful, soft style,” which also reached Tyrol around 1400.