Churches and monasteries

The succursal church of St. Ägidius in Raas is a late-Gothic building, and was completed by the constructor Thomas Maurer in 1532. The neo-Gothic interior mostly dates from around 1880. On the high altar, one can see St. Ägidius, the patron of the church and the protector of viticulture. In Raas, the now rare custom of the bread donation and bread distribution is still practised on the day of the church patron in September.

This church was first mentioned as long ago as 1166. It was rebuilt in 1251 and extended in around 1480, when the bell tower was built, of which after a fire only the lower saddle roof has been preserved. Today part of the old church serves as a chapel, and part as a vestry. The large bell, Annamaria, which weighs 3,163 kg and dates from 1847, is noteworthy. The new Pfarrkirche Maria Himmelfahrt parish church was consecrated in 1901. This neo Gothic place of worship with three naves was built to plans by the Viennese architect, Anton Weber. The main altar, the mosaic, side altars, wooden sculptures and four reliefs in the chancel are all worth seeing. 2002 saw the restoration of the pneumatic organ built by Josef Behmann in 1911, which is a protected monument. The sound of the church bells ringing even inspired Franz Liszt to compose “Ihr Glocken von Marling” (Bells of Marling). There is a replica of Marling parish church in Selsley, England.

The first church was dedicated to St. Maria Magdalena and was built in the 12th century. In the 14th century there were structural changes, which served the beautification and were necessary for conservative reasons. The change of the patron of Magdalena to Martin was supposed to have been completed in 1613, from then on, only a church of Saint Martin is mentioned.

The church, mentioned as far back as 1332, with its flat ceiling was increased in height in the late Gothic period and lengthened by the chancel with ribbed vaults above short round pillars and pointed corbels. The church was rededicated in 1472. The small tower that was built from hewn stone at the same time as the chancel remained incomplete and was later finished in brick.

In 1900 the church was extensively renovated. There is a large painting on the façade at the top of which the earlier, lower gable can be seen. In addition there is a broad border with small bust portraits in quatrefoils. On the southern side is the sundial which bears the date 1537. Inside there are traces of gilded frescoes from the early 15th century. The winged shrine with ancient sculptures is of the Schnatterpeck school.

St. Rupert’s Church was most recently renovated in 2007/08, and the altar dedication took place on 21st September 2008.

The Church of the Assumption is a modest little chapel that was probably built sometime during the 1860's and was refurbished in 1984.

The Saint Nicholas church in Penon was first mentioned during the 14th Century. It is worth visiting the sacramental house made of sandstone, which possibly dates from around 1380 - Alto Adige's oldest example carved in stone.

The church of St. Andreas in Oberrasen was built in the 14th century, consecrated in 1422, expanded in the 17th century and re-arched. In 1959 it was broken off in order to create space for the contemporary, modern style of the church.

HOLY TRINITY HOSPITAL CHURCH: With the founding of the hospital in 1456, a chapel was built nearby (1456-1473). Further expansion to the size of the present church took place in the middle of the 17th century. The Hospital Church is decorated in the Baroque style.

The Romanesque church of St. Jacob on the Langfenn is located on the highest point of the plateau Salten (1525m). It stands on prehistoric ground and could probably tell exciting and captivating stories from the past . On the altar there are St. Jacob, the protector of the hikers, and the two patron saints of pest Rochus and Sebastian.

The octagonal construction was built according to a project by Giuseppe Delai between 1729 and 1733, on the site of an older chapel. Matthäus Günther of Augsburg realised both the main altarpiece and the frescoes of the vaulted ceiling, which depict St. Elisabeth and St. George, the protectors of the Teutonic Order. The walls and vaulted ceiling are embellished with the rich and extraordinarily refined stucco decorations by Anton Gigl of Innsbruck. The church can be visited along the H. Multscher and City Museum.

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 church of Saint Nicolaus was build in the 13th century and renewed in the 16. century.

This tiny, charming place of silence and meditation was dedicated to the patron saint of cattle. 300 year-old frescoes illustrating the history of Jesus' life were uncovered during restoration work in 1993.

The church was built around 1400, especially the polygonal choir and the six-armed fan vault with an Agnus Die on the round keystone probably date from this time. The nave was covered with a simple star vault around 1500. The interior decoration is neo-Gothic. Only the Stations of the Cross and the statue of St. Wolfgang date from the Baroque period.

The church Saint Martin in Fundres/Pfunders is mentioned for the first time in th year 1397. The contemporary church was built in 1808 - 1810 and contains a bell tower with an imperial roof from the 14th century. The barrel vault is decorated with ancient frescos. Generally speaking a very nice, little church.

The pilgrimage church Maria am Sand, with its picture of the Virgin Mary possessing miraculous powers who gives the Christ baby a pear, is the old parish church of Milland and goes back to the 14th century. Around the middle of the 15th century, the church was extended with a vault in the nave, a tower as well as a pointed arch-portal and it was changed into Baroque style in the 18th century.

The fi rst written testimony of the Holy Cross Parish in Wiesen is dated 1337. The Church is said to have been reconsecrated in 1434. The frescoes on the vaulted ceiling by Josef Renzler, dated 1841, are worthy of note. The first written testimony of the Holy Cross Parish in Wiesen is dated 1337. The Church is said to have been reconsecrated in 1434. Today's construction in granite blocks was built with the supervision of builder Adam Schaiter of Sterzing, who combined late gothic and Renaissance elements. In the XIX century, the Church was nevertheless deprived of the gothic elements. The frescoes on the vaulted ceiling by Josef Renzler, dated 1841, are worthy of note. They depict the adoration of the cross by the Emperor Eraclius and St. Cecilia. The altars date from the XVI century, but were rebuilt in 1824. The alterpieces were also realised by Josef Renzler in 1827. The gothic crucifixion dating from the first half of the XIII century is also very important.

The Church of Saints Gotthard and Erardo was built in the 13th century by the Voitsperg next to the ancient preposition and restored in the 14th century. Rebuilt in baroque form by auxiliary bishop Wilhelm von Vintler and consecrated in 1695. Since 1971 it has been used as an evangelical worship.

The little Church of St. Martin lies above Lasa on a small morainic hill. The church was documented for the first time in 1323 although its origin most probably precedes that date. The discovery of clay shards and glass dating from the Roman period, in addition to bronze sheets and other prehistoric remnants, would suggest that this once was an ancient settlement and place of worship.

The St. Valentin church surrounded by meadows and fields, with the Schlern massif in the background, the small church of St. Valentin offers a real idyllic scene. The construction is of great historical and artistic value with precious frescos from the 14th and the 15th century. A peculiarity (among others): the painter has tried to include the local landscape as background in its representation of the three Kings.

The Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul – A Testament to History and Faith

The Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul, formerly known as the Church of Saint Nicholas, is a significant cultural and religious landmark deeply rooted in the history of Parcines. Its first documented mention dates back to 1264, though its origins are even older. Around 1502, the church was renovated in late Gothic style, giving it the distinctive character it retains to this day.

The Origins of the Church of Saint Nicholas

The original church, built around the 10th century, was constructed on the foundations of a small early Christian chapel. This chapel was oriented east-west and built in Romanesque style with square marble blocks. It was dedicated to Saint Nicholas, venerated as the patron saint of sailors and merchants. The oldest parts of this structure now serve as a crypt and mortuary. The current sacristy, dating back to the 14th century, is another surviving element of the historical building.

Expansions and Transformations Over the Centuries

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the church underwent significant expansion to accommodate a growing community. In the 18th century, new monumental altars were added, forming the artistic and spiritual centerpiece of the church. The high altar is an impressive depiction of saints: Saint Nicholas is shown at the top, with Peter and Paul below him. On the sides, statues of Saint Valentine and Saint Vigilius complete the ensemble.

The side altars are dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sorrowful Mother, reflecting the community's deep Marian devotion. The majestic pulpit, a relatively recent addition, was installed only about 110 years ago and blends harmoniously with the church's historical setting.

The Chapel of Our Lady and Its Artistic Treasures

Particularly noteworthy is the side chapel dedicated to Our Lady, known as "Our Blessed Lady," built around 1350. Inside, it houses the magnificent Marian altar, symbolizing the beauty and reverence of Marian devotion. Another treasure of the chapel is the angel from the plague altar, a symbol of hope and healing in times of hardship.

An extraordinary masterpiece is the sculpture group of the Death of the Virgin by Jörg Lederer († 1550) of Kaufbeuren. This valuable artwork, preserved in the presbytery, is the only surviving element of the original late Gothic high altar. The meticulous attention to detail and emotional expression of the figures make it an outstanding example of late Gothic art.

The chapel of the castle was dedicated 1474 and renewed in the 17. century.

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.

PARISH CHURCH, ST. ANNE’S CHAPEL AND CHAPEL OF THE DECEASED: St. Stephen’s Parish Church was built between 1792-96 during the late Baroque period and it contains frescoes by Franz Altmutter, sculptures by Nissl and an altarpiece by Martin Knoller. A Gothic-style twofold chapel dating from the 15th century is located to the left of the steps of the church. The lower part of it is occupied by the Chapel of the Deceased, while St. Anne’s Chapel is found above. A fresco by Simon von Taisten may be seen in the Chapel of the Deceased. Chapel of the Deceased open to the public: Daily 8-17.00

ST. MAGDALENE'S CHURCH IN MOOS (Mooskirche): St. Magdalene’s Church was built in the year 1490 through a donation provided by Countess Paula von Gonzaga, wife of Margrave Leonhard von Görz. The early baroque high altar dates back to approx. 1600. A relief plaque depicting the Adoration of the Magi, a work by Michael Parth from the late Gothic period (around 1520), adorns the high altar. The church is located a short distance outside of town in the direction of Welsberg/Monguelfo. Open to the public: Early April – early October 8am - 7pm

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