Attractions à Meran

This little church is located in Maia Alta (Obermais), below Labers Castle and near the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. Because of its picturesque location surrounded by orchards and fields, it is a popular hiking destination. It is dedicated to St. Valentine, who was engaged as a messenger of faith in the region in the fifth century and was buried in the mortuary chapel of San Zeno (Zenoburg) Castle.

The beautiful portal and the frescoes on the façade are particulary noteworthy. The interior houses interesting frescoes and paintings from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Masses in German: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays in winter: 6:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in summer: 7:30 p.m. Sundays: 8:30, 10:00 Kolping chapel first Thursday of the month: 19.30

The Parish Church of St. Nicholas stands as the spiritual heart of Merano, a distinguished masterpiece of late Gothic design. First mentioned in historical records in 1266, construction began in 1302, and the church was consecrated in its present form in 1465. Situated at the upper end of Laubengasse arcade – the historic main street of Merano – it ranks among the most significant examples of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture in Tyrol.
Architecture & Interior: The church is a three-nave hall structure, crowned by a striking 78-meter bell tower that defines the city skyline. The west façade is adorned with a rose window, while the south wall features 15th-century frescoes depicting scenes such as Christ bearing the cross and the resurrection of Lazarus. Inside, visitors encounter a rich ensemble of sacred art: the high altar by Jakob Pirchstaller (1786–1788), flanked by neo-Gothic winged altars crafted by Dominikus Trenkwalder (1892).
The finely carved red sandstone pulpit, dating from the 15th century, is a focal point of the interior. The organ, originally built by Georg Hradetzky in 1973, has since been expanded and now features 40 registers.
Historical Significance: Originally a filial church of the Parish of Tyrol, St. Nicholas was elevated to a fully independent parish in 1657. The 19th century saw extensive restoration work, most notably under the direction of Viennese cathedral architect Friedrich von Schmidt between 1882 and 1898. The most recent comprehensive restoration was carried out between 1993 and 2000. Surrounding the church are numerous historic gravestones that provide insight into the city’s past. A detailed exploration of these monuments and their historical relevance can be found in the publication Die Grabmäler von St. Nikolaus (“The Gravestones and Memorials of St. Nicholas”).
Masses (in German only) Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sundays: 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

The chapel of Saint Barbara stands behind the apse of the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. It was consecrated in 1450 and was the mortuary chapel of the pre-existing cemetery. It is a Gothic building with an octagonal plan and a crypt below the lower floor. In the chapel there is an elegant stellar vault. On the left and right there are two elaborate Baroque wooden altars, painted to look like wood.

This Neo-Gothic Church was originally the chapel of the "Dame Inglesi" It was designed by Ferdinand Mungenast, and built in 1903. The longitudinal plan ends in an apse which is decorated with a striking mosaic of over three million pieces, in neo-Byzantine Ravenna style. It depicts Christ seated in majesty, flanked by Mary and Joseph an angels, with the hand of God, the Creator, above. In the lower part of the mosaic there is a row of six saints interspersed with palm trees.

Set on the left bank of the Passer River, just outside Merano’s historic center, the Hospital Church of the Holy Spirit stands as a quiet monument to medieval compassion and Gothic artistry. Founded in 1271 by Count Meinhard II of Tyrol and his wife Elisabeth of Bavaria, the church – together with the adjoining hospital – once offered shelter and care to the poor, the sick, and passing pilgrims. The original church was destroyed in 1419 by a catastrophic flood caused by the sudden outburst of Kummersee – a mountain lake whose name translates to “Lake of Sorrow”, reflecting the devastation it brought through repeated floods. The lake had formed in 1401 in the upper Passeiertal Valley due to a landslide and triggered eight major floods over the years before it eventually dried up in 1774.
The reconstruction of the Hospital Church was carried out under the rule of Duke Sigismund of Austria, known as "Rich in Coin", and the new building was consecrated in 1483. Today, it ranks among the most important examples of late Gothic architecture in South Tyrol and has been a protected monument since 1949. Architecturally, the church captivates with its rare three-aisled hall design and a decagonal chancel that spans the full width of the building – an architectural feature seldom seen in the region. The main portal is adorned with a tympanum depicting the Holy Trinity, flanked by sculptures of the church’s founders.
Inside, visitors will find a wealth of artistic treasures: a Baroque Pentecost altar by Franz Xaver Pendl, flanked by late Gothic winged reliefs by Jörg Lederer. The Stations of the Cross, executed in the Flemish style, were painted by Benedikt Schinle. On the southern exterior wall, a well-preserved fresco of the Crucifixion by Ambrosius Gander (1450) bears witness to the building’s long-standing devotional role.
More than a sacred space, the Hospital Church is a historical time capsule – offering insight into Merano’s medieval healthcare, the impact of natural disasters, and the resilience of its citizens. It is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in history, art, or architecture.
Masses (in Italian only) Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. Holiday eves: 6:30 p.m. Holidays: 11:00 a.m.

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

Conciliar church dating back to the sixteenth century, with an adjoining monastery of the Capuchin friars. It is located adjacent to the Porta Venosta (Vinschger Tor) Gate. Masses in German: Weekdays: 6:30 a.m. Sundays and public holidays: 7:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Masses in Italian: Weekdays: 7:30 a.m. Sundays and public holidays: 8:30 a.m.

This modern church, which recalls the buildings of De Chirico, is located in Piazza Mazzini. Masses in Italian: weekdays (Monday to Saturday): 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays (bilingual mass): 5 p.m. Sunday: 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Masses in German: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays (bilingual mass): 5 p.m. Days preceding holidays: 6:30 p.m. Sundays and public holidays: 9:00 a.m.