South Tyrol's churches and monasteries offer a glimpse into the region's rich cultural and religious heritage. From ancient Romanesque structures to charming mountain sanctuaries, each site boasts exquisite architecture, intricate frescoes, and serene surroundings. Whether it's the awe-inspiring Brixen Cathedral or the picturesque Novacella Abbey, these sacred places invite visitors to marvel at their historical significance and find moments of tranquility amidst South Tyrol's breathtaking landscapes.
The church was first mentioned in 1418. The actual building was erected beetween 1880-1888 in the Romanesque style.
The Church of St. Nicholas in Kematen was built despite the pronounced popular hostility between 1801 and 1807, integrating parts of a neogothic construction dating from 1468 into the new building. The Church was consecrated in 1833. The barrel vault was rebuilt in 1861. The main altarpiece is by Anton Sieß (1768) and depicts the patron, Saint Nicholas. The frescoes are by Franz Altmutter of Vienna (1811).
The Holy Cross Chapel, built in 1755 in Rasciesa di Fuori (over 2200 m) is also worth a visit. The chapel was restored in summer 2012.
The chapel is located at Resciesa and can only be reached on foot in about 45 minutes, starting from the top station of the Resciesa funicular. It is a flat and easily walkable trail suitable for the whole family.
The parish church "Maria Unbefleckte Empfängnis" in Gossensass/Colle Isarco was constructed based on the drafts of Franz de Paula Penz and consacrated in 1754.
The Church of San Vigilio, located at 1,780 m above sea level, was first mentioned in the historical record way back in 1278. Masses are held on religious holidays. Contact the Lana Tourist Office for more information.
The Mount Vigiljoch is a place with almost magical powers, proven not only by its healing mineral springs at Bärenbad. Just like on St. Hypolyt, the natural energy of this place has been felt throughout the ages. Prehistoric places of worship were located here, as the numerous finds of hand-crafted flint stones and hollowed-out bowls made from stone dating from the Bronze Age prove.
St.Vigilius church, built at an altitude of 1793 m above sea level, was most likely constructed on the site of a prehistoric heathen place of worship. Its location makes this church one of the 'highest' in Tyrol.
The church
First documented in the 12th century, the little church of St. Vigilius has always been called 'weather church' by the locals, as it has always been a place of pilgrimage to ask God's protection against bad weather, rain, hail, thunder and lightning. The walls of the long house date back to early Romanesque times. The Gothic choir with its beautiful ribbed vault and the bell tower were added later. Particularly interesting is the high quality fresco cycle in the interior of the church, which dates back to the 14th century, and depicts the twelve apostles and a Calvary group.
Wetterhügel Hill and the church above the Jocher peak have not lost any of their magical appeal through the ages.
Holy Mass
9 June at 9.30 p.m. Sacred Heart Sunday Lighting of the bonfire with devotion to the Sacred Heart - near St. Vigilius Church
26 June at 9.00 a.m. Patrocinium cloister start cable car mountain station, church service, gospels and weather blessing
In July to the end of August on Sundays at 11.00 a.m. in german language
15 August at 11.00 a.m. Church service with blessing of herbs
6 October at 11.00 a.m. Harvest festival
3 November at 11.00 a.m. Hubertus celebration
25 December at 5.30 pm Christmas mass
There is a special cable car timetable for Sacred Heart Sunday and 25 December. Last journey at 23.30 hrs
St. Anna’s Chapel | A small church built at the beginning of the 15th century in the Ortisei’s graveyard. It features a noteworthy portal and several ancient gravestones and memorials.
The church will be open only for special occasions.
The first documentary mention of the St. Cyprian Chapel in Sarnthein / Sarentino Village was in the year 1328. In the middle of the 15th century, the church was rebuilt in the Gothic style. The well-preserved frescoes are a special treat.
Although this church originally built in Romanic style dates back to the 12th century, renovation performed after 1735 transformed it to the Baroque jewel we see today with the lavish ornamentation that recalls the exuberance of Rococo. The outside is characterised by arched windows, niches with statues, the impressive main facade crowned by a cross, angels blowing trumpets and bearing glowing braziers, and the walls' buttresses in the form of scrolls. Without doubt, this church is one of the most beautiful sacral buildings in Tyrol.
The new-Gothic parish church in Scena was built between 1914 and 1931. The old church was continuously found to be too small and it was necessary to construct a more spacious building. The vicinity to the school, the old people’s home, the sexton’s quarters and the widows’ accommodation ensured the central location of the church. After several heated meetings about the planning and actual location, the design of the Vienna architect Eduard Hütter was welcomed and approved. However, in 1915 the building work was stopped due to the start of World War I and only recommenced in 1926 because of the political changes, which had occurred in South Tyrol. The altar area is decorated with the statues of the twelve apostles. The fourteen 14 carved cross stations by Johann Muhry are incredibly impressive. The glass windows come from the Tyrolean glass painting company in Innsbruck. At the side walls of the main church area, the statues of Sains Vigilius, the bishop of Trent, as well as one of Christ King, the blessed Heinrich of Bozen, Saint Nicolas of the Flüe, the apostle Philipp, the evangelist John, the Bishop Valentine and the blessed Josef Freinademetz are found on pedestals. At the back wall, the Baroque figure of Saint Michael takes pride of place. He is presented as a young knight with a flaming sword. This statue previously stood in the Michaels chapel, which was demolished before starting the new parish church building. The new organ was built by Franz Zanin from Udine in 1993 and its cover was artfully designed by Herbert Schönweger from Meran. It consists of 32 registers, the major organ part, the back positive and pedal, as well as 2,744 pipes. Both churches were consecrated to Mary, the mother of God and she is celebrated each year on 15th August. The church tower is 35 metres high and contains seven bells. The smallest one is the Zügen bell, which is struck just after someone in the parish dies. On Sundays and bank holidays, as well as other festivities and occasions such as the Ave Maria, the church bells are rung. For the twelve o’clock ring, the ring for the end of the working day, the ring for bad weather approaching, for weddings, baptisms etc, (the little bell, the second one, the third one, the eleventh one, the twelfth one and the large bell) are sounded. All six bells are only rung together for important festivities. The church is surrounded by well-cared for graves, which are decorated with flowers. The measurements of the graves were standardised in 1972 and at that time, the graveyard was redesigned. It is truly an honourable place for the dead. In between the graves, a simple monument remembers the 108 fallen soldiers in both World Wars.
Even though Versciaco only became an independent parish in 1891, the church was first consecrated in 1212. The lower part of today's nave walls date back to this period. The initial construction consisted of a rectangular room with a small apse added to the east and a flat wooden ceiling. The last preserved remains of a proto-Gothic fresco date back to around 1300 and can still be admired: Saint Ursula and her companions. The church might originally have been devoted to this saint of noble lineage, also because all the Saints venerated until Late Medieval times were of princely blood or at least nobles. Every year, three processions from San Candido to this church took place on the Saint's feast day (22nd of July). During the course of the 18th century, the Gothic furniture was replaced by Baroque pieces. The Baroque altar sheets that were replaced by neo-Gothic altars (by Josef Stauder, San Candido) in the 19th century, were carefully preserved and hung on the walls of the choir stall with three pictures: S. Magdalene, S. Sebastian and S. Peter. Even though only the last of the three bears the signature of Seb. Unterberger, it is very likely that all three pieces were realised by his hands. Visiting hours: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Maria Heimsuchung chapel in Brennerbad/Terme di Brennero between the villages of Brenner/Brennero and Gossensass/Colle Isarco was built in the time of the noble tourism around 1900. In this period of time uncountable celebrities found accommodations in the gorgeous Grand Hotel and the village of Brennerbad/Terme di Brennero had also an own train station. However, a first chapel was already consacrated 1680 in honor of the Maria Heimsuchung chapel.
1882 effected the laying of the cornerstone to the chapel of today. Built according to the drafts of the master builder Josef Vonstadl, it was consecrated in 1886.
The Neoromanic building consists of a nave and two side aisles and a round apsis. The first high altar was made by F. Schmalzlaus from St. Ulrich/Ortisei, but it seems that already in the year 1889 the chapel received a new altar, made by the sculptor Stufflesser according to drafts by Johann Maria Reiter.
The Christkönigskirche church, also known as the new parish church, was built between 1961 and 1963. The church has a flat-ceiling nave with a separate altar area. The two stained glass windows are by Heiner Gschwendt from Klausen/Chiusa, the church organ, consecrated in 1987, is by Andrea Zeni, and all other works of art connected with the church, including the granite fountain in front of the church and the statue of the Archangel Michael made of Lasa marble housed in a niche on the church square, are by the famous artist Friedrich Gurschler (1923-2020†).
Friedrich Gurschler was born in February 1923 on a farm near Unsere Frau/Madonna di Senales in Schnalstal Valley and is an honorary citizen of Partschins/Parcines.
St. Valentine's Church on the Gentersberg is traditionally regarded as the oldest church in the Val Sarentino/ Sarntal Valley. The little church is famous in particular for its outstanding medieval frescoes.
The church dates back to the 12th century, but probably its origins are even more remote. The Romanesque building and the Lombard-style bell tower have been subject to many changes. Inside, there is a unique cycle of frescos in Byzantine style dating from 1200-1220. On the ouside walls there are other, probably late 14th century, frescos. Masses (in Italian): Weekdays: 8:00 a.m
Built in 1949/50, altar fresco of tungsten Koeberl from Innsbruck, Calvary of J. B. Oberkofler from 1960, the Madonna of the XVII century, the stained glass windows in the chapel of the dead Max Spielmann from Innsbruck, the rest of the church windows and the new organ of the company Felsberg from Chur. Categories: culture, Sacred art
This church was probably built on a Romanic construction. Venantius Fortunatus, a poet and the bishop of Poitiers, wrote in the year 565 in a travel report about a “templum Valentini”. If he meant the church of Brenner/Brennero with this is not definitely sure.
A Romanic tower flanks the nave that was rebuilt in the XV century in gothical style. The stone framed main portal and the polygonal choir are of this time.
The chapel beside the graveyard wall with the deep round arch niche has been built in 1692.
In the years 1731, 1769 and 1792 there have been essential modifications and renovations in the nave and on the arch. Franz Unterberger painted the ceiling paintings in the year 1787.
1983 and 1985 the parish church has been restored. This shows the corresponding offertory box. In October 1962 the parish church Maria am Wege was consecrated and replaced the church St. Valentin as principal church in Brenner/Brennero.
Josef Runggaldier commissioned this parish in 1900 to honour St. Joseph as a sign of his gratitude after having survived an accident whilst working in the woods. A painting inside the church depicts the episode. The extension project was stopped in 1979. However, a new church was started in 1981 and consecrated in 1984.
The parish church to the hl. Ursula was first mentioned in the 14th century. From this first church today only more fragments, such as the tower and the side walls are preserved.
St. Anthony’s Chapel built in 1673 and situated on the main square in Ortisei/St. Ulrich is a popular photo motif thanks to its simple and unadorned style and roof turret.
It features an altar painting depicting St. Anthony from Padua, by the Swiss painter Melchior Deschwanden.
The 19th century Neo-Gothic nave was dismantled in 1988 and replaced by an 8-sided building. This remarkable church is decorated with several paintings, carvings, statues and images (among which a statue of St. Ulrich by Ludwig Moroder and the altar painting depicting the Adoration of the Magi by Josef Moroder-Lusenberg).
The church of St. Mary is built in Gothic style. The Gothic middle relief and the side figures are significant. From the church there starts a path of meditation which leads to the chapel San Pietro in Monte/St. Peter am Kofl.
The small chapel was built in 1867 and consecrated in honour of the picture of grace Maria Hilf in Innsbruck. In the chapel there are sculptures of Peter and Paul, Isidor and Hubertus. The chapel was last renovated in 1994.
In the eastern part of the Lagundo "Garden Village", bordering the Merano district of Quarazze (Gratsch), lies the Lagundo district Paese (Dorf). The old Sant'Ippolito and Erardo Parish Church is found here. First documented in 1200, the church features three distinct architectural styles - Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. The church holds many valuable treasures of art, both internally and externally, all of which testify to the turbulent political and cultural history of Tyrol. Between 1618 and 1628 a new Early Baroque nave designed by the architect Francesco Lucchese was added to the parish church. The church is closed because of restoration work.
The beautiful Romanesque church, dedicated to St. Leonard, was built around the 13th century. Its main altar dates back to the 18th century.
San Nicolo/St. Nikolaus Church | This church dedicated to St. Nicholas in Valdurna, situated at the end of Val Sarentino/Sarntal Valley, dates from the thirteenth century. Particulary noteworthy are its beautiful sixteenth-century fresco cycle depicting the legends of St. Nicholas and St. Vitus and the Passion of Christ. These paintings were only discovered in 1986, when whitewash was removed from the walls: they are among the largest and the finest works of high Gothic art in South Tyrol. | San Nicolo/St. Nikolaus Church in Valdurna/Durnholz
This parish church has been rebuilt between 1960 and 1962 according to the plans of the architect Luis Plattner and replaced the Church St. Valentin as main church in Brenner.
The parish church exhibits worth seeing works: the high altar from 1884, side altars from 1903, the pulpit from 1867 and the Queen of the Rosary from the Baroque period around 1700. A high artistic value has also the oil painting of Franz Sebald Unterberger which represents the St. Stephen, as well as the glass painting with the subject of the miners of Villandro in 1520.
Without bigger difficulties one can recognise that this municipality matured after the parochial foundation of Eppan about 1147 to the richest Pfarre of South Tirol with headquarter in St Paul. She was fine so well-to-do on account of many noble inhabitants of this area who, as it was a custom, of course supported the church. After 1786 it was divided the Pfarre for the first time into Girlan (Girlan, Schreckbichl and Frangart) and St Paul (St Paul, Saint Michael, Montiggl, mountain, Missian, untermargin, Perdonig and Gaid). In 1921 this happened next time: The principal place of the municipality - Saint Michael - was appointed with Montiggl, Gand, Pigeno and southern half by Eppan/mountain to the new Pfarre Saint Michael. On account of the plentiful financial possibilities one began in 1484 with the construction of an especially nice church. The magnitudes of the untercatch were extensive, it lasted therefore also till 1533, until the church was ready. The tower, 86 m high, experienced his own history within the scope of the construction work. From the late 15th century up to the middle of the 17th century there lasted his construction. For this reason he also unites two architectural styles: While Under - and middle section are held in the Gothic style, the end with the onion dome visible far away in baroque kind forms. In his inside there are nine bells, the heaviest one of it weighs 5 tonnes and sounds in deep A. You pleasantly voluminous sound remind us of the fact that this "instrument of God" second largest is in the country. A solar clock from 1718, Funeraldenkmäler of the noble Firmian, Khuen, Thun, rests of Late-Gothic Seccomalereien... There is a lot to see at this place! Something else: The church of St Paul is the only church far and wide which is consecrated only to Holy Paulus. This is not so natural at all, because Paulus is always called in connection with Holy Peter...
The two-storey chapel was built by order of the lords and miners of Gossensass/Colle Isarco in a late Gothic style. Adam Scheiter from Sterzing/Vipiteno was engaged as master builder by Lienhard Pfarrkircher. The influence of the Bavarian “Danubian School” is recognizable by the late Gothic altar. The stair was created by the master craftsman Matthias Stöberl of Sterzing/Vipiteno. The basement houses a crypt, which is used as a mortuary chapel.
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