Bezienswaardig Zuid-Tirol

Many centuries ago, when Alta Badia was still largely uninhabited, La Crusc (Holy Cross) seems to have been a pagan place of worship. It was probably the unfavourable living conditions of the area that led the first Christians to construct a sanctuary here.

Around 1010 the monks built a chapel at La Crusc where a small church was erected in the 15th century. At the end of the 17th century the church was deconsecrated by the then Austrian Emperor and was subsequently left to decay. Pilgrims and valley dwellers rescued the little church by partially rebuilding it, and some years later in the middle of the 18th century it was enlarged and embellished with a bell tower.

For a long time the existence of La Crusc as a place of pilgrimage had been established on the basis of documents from the year 1511. And then two further parchment documents emerged with evidence pointing to an earlier existence. The first mentioned a church consecration; the second contained the story of “Morellus de Caninis” who made a pilgrimage to Rome in 1500 in order to seek favours for the La Crusc church.

Numerous relics are preserved in the altar of the church, such as those of St Leonhard (to whom the parish church of San Leonardo/Badia is dedicated), St Hippolitus, St Virgilius (Bishop of Salzburg), St Mary Magdalena, St Agnes and St Barbara.

Nowadays there are several processions to the church during the summer season, and there is an important service on the first Sunday in June.

Consecrated to St. Oswald, this church is of particular artistic significance and was constructed in 1329. A variety of artists is responsible for the frescoes which were all painted during the 18th and 19th century. The key to the church is available by the vicarage.

The "Joggila" chapel, located on the road to the church in Niederrasen, belongs to the older chapels in Rasen. The wayside shrine was probably built around 1723.

The church in Haselried was first recorded in 1436. The Church is build in a late Gothic style.

Located on the Passer Promenade, it was built between 1883 and 1885 in a neo-Gothic style. The church belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy and is a true symbol. Particularly notable is the large Christ figure, blessing the faithful – a masterpiece made of Laas marble, inspired by Bertel Thorvaldsen’s statue.

The construction of the church is closely tied to the development of Merano as a spa town. As early as 1861, the first members of the Evangelical community began to organise in the city. In 1870, the first pastor was appointed, and in 1876 the Evangelical community of Merano was established as part of the Evangelical Church A.B. in Austria. This open, cosmopolitan atmosphere is still very much present in Merano today – the city has preserved its welcoming spirit over the centuries.

The building itself is steeped in a unique atmosphere. It sits amidst an idyllic garden and is crowned by a striking spire. The exterior walls are a true masterpiece of neo-Gothic architecture, with intricate flying buttresses and pointed windows. The interior is kept simple, offering plenty of space for reflection and prayer. Noteworthy are the wooden reliefs of the altar and pulpit, created by Franz Xaver Pendl, as well as the impressive crucifix.

The Christ Church is not just a place of worship but also a cultural meeting point. Regular sacred music concerts and organ performances take place here, and those strolling along the Passer Promenade can often feel as though they have been transported to another country. The atmosphere of the garden, the imposing building, and the harmony between nature and architecture make the Evangelical Christ Church a truly special destination for anyone visiting Merano.

Merano, with its cosmopolitan character, invites people to explore different cultures and religions. The Christ Church stands as an extraordinary testament to this unique heritage and is a place that reflects both the faith and the diversity of life in Merano.

The parish church of St. Dionysius in Morter was constructed in a gothic style, and was consecrated in 1479. The frescoes of painter Adrian Mair, which date back to the 17th century, are of particular interest, given that he hails from Laces himself.

St. Jakob's Chapel was built in late Gothic style in 1513. On the outer wall, you can see two sundials from the 16th century. The chapel interior houses a pointed arch portal decorated with a little turret as well as two altarpieces.

Belonging to the Danielhof estate, the scenically located church once belonged to the Benedictine Sonnenburg Abbey in the Puster Valley. The present structure has lancet-arch windows on the south wall and choir screens that probably date from the 14th century. In the early 15th century came fan and ribbed vaulting above wall pilasters, subsequently decorated with mural paintings. The north wall features scenes from the story of St. Daniel (including Daniel in the lion’s den), donated in 1444 by a Bozen customs official. On the north wall of the nave appear Saint Catherine and consecration crosses with the hand of blessing.

The late-Gothic winged altar from 1525 is an art-historical gem. The predella relief shows the Lamentation of Christ with, to the sides, Catharine and Barbara, Margaret and Dorothy. The central shrine shows the Madonna with Child and the Saints Daniel and Chrysanthus, with Peter and Paul in bas-relief on the inner wings. When closed, the wings show the guardians of the shrine, George and Florian, as well as scenes from the life of the church’s patron saint. Restoration work was carried out in 1991 and 2012-13.

The St. Nicholas church in Mittelberg is first mentioned in 1289. This church was enlarged in the Gothic style in 1400 and has kept its appearance from that time. The tower is somewhat later than the church and was probably built in the 14th Century. It is made of natural stones laid in regular patterns. Possibly in 1400 the upper levels were altered to the Gothic tyle and the existing windows date from that period. In 1744 a rather large onion dome was added. It does not fit the building but is still quite pleasing. Another reason for building the church was the competition between the summer visitors to Klobenstein and those of Maria Himmelfahft. In Klobenstein they did not wish to be behind the people who were building their own church in Himmelfahrt at the time.

Die den beiden Apostelführern geweihte Kirche liegt gegenüber der Kapuzinerkirche und ist
ein Anbau des Ansitz Jöchlsthurn. Sie wurde von der Familie Jöchl erbaut, welche auch nach
damaliger Zeit selbst den Kaplan auswählten. Mit Aussterben der männlichen Linie wurde die
Kirche vom Hofgericht der Stadt übertragen. Die Erben der Familie Jöchl erhielten die Empore
zugesprochen, so dass sie der Messe beiwohnen konnten ohne sich unters Volk zu mischen.
Hierfür hatten sie sogar einen eigenen Zugang über das Wohnhaus. 1787 wurde die Kirche mit
dem schönen spätgotischen Flügelaltar des Tiroler Meister Friedrich Pacher von der Familie
Enzensberg, welche inzwischen Eigentümer des Jöchlsthurn war, zurückgekauft. Sie ist bis heute
im Privatbesitz und wie der Ansitz Jöchlsthurn selbst derzeit nicht zu besichtigen.

Teh church is from the 19th century and the tower is from the 15th century

The Church of Visitation dates back to around 1640 and inside there is an octagonal-shaped choir enclosure, originally with stucco ornamentations. On the North-facing wall, there remains a faded fresco of St. Sebastian the martyr, which dates back to the original construction.

After 1200 bishop Konrad von Rodank established a house, in order to be able to offer travelers accommodation and care - therefore the name "Hospital Church". After numerous floodings only and alone the small, round place of worship kept until today.

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.

Twenty minutes on Feldthurns is free on hilltop of St. George in Schnauders, a beautiful small building of the later Gothic, first attested in the 14th century. Your current form received this church partly in the 16th and partly in the 19th century. Interior and exterior renovated in 2007.

In 1924 bulit the farmer Josef Pallhuber the "Brugger" chapel next to his house. Until now it is the youngest chapel in the valley.

The little church of the saint Mauritius in Sauders is situated to the south of the village centre. The church was mentioned the first time in an official document in 1406. Around 1670 the little church was converted in a baroque style. However, the church and some surrounding houses were burned to ashes by the French in 1793. Nowadays, the painting at the high altar represents the patron saint of the church. The key for a visit can be received at the “Winklerhof – farm”.

This church was first mentioned in 861 in connection with a court hearing. It is designed in two floors and remarkable for its Romanesque architecture, as well as for its frescos by the masters Leonhard from Brixen and Simon von Taisten, the latter a pupil of Michael Pacher’s.

This chapel belongs to the inhabitants of Perwarg. Inside there is an altar with an image of the painful Savior. In the 18th century, Florian Greiner from Schluderns painted a Way of the Cross for the chapel, which was removed in the 1980s for security reasons.

Patronal feast: 6th of December

The core building dates back to the 13th century (late Romanesque brickwork on the tower floor and on the west wall). Around 1520, a new building was built by construction workers from Como. Vault paintings have been made by Bartlmä Dill Riemenschneider, son of Tilman Riemenschneider. Since 1733 pilgrimage place.

Source: Parrish office Kaltern

The sanctuary of the holy San Martino was probably built over a pagan sanctuary caveand dates from the 16th century. The San Martino statue still stands in a natural cave to day - hence the only proper name of San Martino in Monte. From San Martino you enjoy a particularly and beautiful view of the valley and in the Ortler mountains.

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 church of the saint Valentin is located by the side of the road from Chiusa to Villandro. It is a single-nave construction with a presbytery and a lateral spire. In 1303 the church was mentioned the first time, though it burned down around 1400. During the reconstruction the church received the impressive gothic stellar vault instead of the flat ceiling. The altar inside is a splendid carved work and displays the bishop saint Valentin. Frescos at the west façade, which depict mother Anne with Mary Baby Jesus, are valuable art property. The figures are petite with a soft and round arrangement of the folds. Around 1400 the so called beautiful and soft style reached Tyrol and the patterned halos and picture frames with geometric adornment were characteristics of the style.

The chapel in Kapron was built by Josef Pläs (Blaas) in 1743 and renovated in 1908 by his granddaughter Aloisia Blaas. Both can be found in the inscription in the interior above the entrance of the chapel. In the chapel are various pictures with the cartridges: the ST. Sebastian, Our Lady with Child, Evangelist Johannes and St. Joseph. In May, Mayan prayers are held in the chapel and at funerals, processions and prayers the two bells of the chapel are rung.

The castle chapel is a very special place, home to artistic treasures and at the same time hiding a small secret.

During the restoration of the castle chapel, previously unknown inscriptions came to light, recalling dramatic events of the 17th century, in which a woman venerated as a saint played a key role.
Magnificent paintings from the 17th to the 19th century depict religious scenes, also providing clues about the owners of Schenna Castle.
The castle chapel is an active part of the religious life in Schenna and is used for various celebrations throughout the church year.

This parish church is located in the area of Maia Bassa (Untermais), at the end of Via Piave. The present bell tower stands on a 6-metre-high Romanesque base. The old Gothic church, built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, is located below the apse of the current building, which was erected between 1934 and 1936. Inside, there are some ancient Romanesque relics, a priceless Gothic altar, and a number of frescoes dating back to the fifteenth century. Masses in German: Mondays and Tuesdays: 7:00 a.m. Wednesdays from Easter to All Saints’ Day: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday from All Saints until Easter: 6:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays: 7:00 a.m. Saturdays - from Easter to All Saints: 7:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. - from All Saints until Easter Saturday: 7:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Sundays: 7:30 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Masses in Italian: Sundays and public holidays in winter: 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. Sundays and public holidays in summer: 9:00 a.m.

The chapel near the court Burgfrieden on the western side of the valley is one of the youngest chapel in Rasun / Rasen. It is privately owned and belongs to the Burgfrieder farm.

Named after the Virgin Mary, the church and its tower date back to
Romanesque times. The church was rebuilt and re-consecrated in 1638. A
stone with a magnificent coat of arms is set above the pointed archway
and the 17th Century Cross on the west façade survived a devastating
village fire in 1876.

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.

The story of the Benedictine Monastry of Muri Gries Dates back to the 13th Century, commissioned by the Counts of Morit-Greifenstein. It was first inhabitated by Augustinian Monks, then pillaged during farmer's war, destroyed during the Napolenic war and discontinuing during the Bavarian government. The curch ist dedicated to St. Augustin and houses important frescoes by Martin Knoller. Access permitted only to the inner gatter.