Churches and Monasteries
CHURCHES
Seis am Schlern / Siusi allo Sciliar
"Maria-Hilf-Church"
The Church dedicated to Our Lady (1244) stands in the centre of the village with its tower covered with fine, ted tiles.
St. Vigil church
The small church in St. Vigil was built in 1353. Destroyed by landslides and rock falls, it was rebuilt in the 15th century. Worth seeing is the altar from the early 16th century. Unfortunately, the sculptures had to be removed for security reasons. The figures and grotesque masks decorating the modillions are also interesting. It can be reached from Seis via path no. 7a.
St. Oswald church
The small church was mentioned for the first time back in 1234. The tower was built in that period, the choir stand in 1400 and the vault of the nave - according to the inscription - in 1521. The paiting of the Crucifixion on the northern choir stand wall, from the second half on the 15th century, is especially worth seeing. A special type of grass grows in the area: fine, pale yellow and feather-like. Schützen and musicians use it to decorate their hats when they wear the traditional costumes (for example the Seis music band). Hiking path from Seis.
St. Valentin church
The small St. Valentin church, built back in 1244, stands in an extraordinarily beautiful position. Interesting murals from the 14th and 15th century decorate its southern side. In the middle of lovely meadows, surrounded by Puflatsch and the bizarre outlines of the Schlern massif, St. Valentine is of rare landscape beauty. St. Valentine can be reached from Seis along path no. 7.
Seiseralm / Alpe di Siusi
The "Frommerbild" Holy Image
On the way to Seiser Alm, at the beginning of this large plateau, is the "Frommerbild": a painting of Our Lady Help of Christians which is a copy of Lukas Cranachs' painting in the Innsbruck Cathedral. The painting is kept in a chapel form the last century. "Our Lady of Fromm" has become a popular destination for pilgrimages from Kastelruth and its surroundings.
Kastelruth / Castelrotto
The Parish Church in Kastelruth
The St. Peter's and Paul's Parish Church in Kastelruth is from the classicist period. Inside, worth seeing is a late-classicist high altar (1882) with a marble tabernacle. The detached bell tower - the imposing symbol of Kastelruth - was built in 1756-58 to the plans of Simon Rieder, master builder from Brixen, after the old gothic church had been severely damaged by the 1753 fire.
Mount Calvary
The group of holy buildings standing on Kofel at Kastelruth is unique in South Tyrol. A path takes pigrims up form the town, among porphyry rocks, past serveral chapels to finally reach the Romanesque tower. The seven chapels depict Jesus parting from his mother, the Mount of Olives, the scourging, the washing of the hands and the crown of thorns, Jesus bearing the cross and the desposition. It is a nice walk and takes 20 minutes.
Völs am Schlern / Fiè allo Sciliar
Church of Our Lady at Völs
The churches we see it today was commissioned by Leonhard von Völs in 1515 and has since been housing the Baroque winged altar (today with neo-Gothic additions).
Peterbühl-Church
The first documented mention of St . Peter by the Hill dates back to 1371. However, the church foundations are believed to be considerably older, from the 12th century or the 13th century. The most salient characteristics of the church are the round arch at the front porch, capped by a polygonal lintel, and a pointed-arch window. The winged altar in the church was made around 1510.
Bozen / Bolzano
Cathedral Maria HimmelfahrtThe Gothic Cathedral, started in 1184, probably on the foundations of a Roman villa and rebuilt in the 14th century by architects Martin and Peter Schiche (completed 1382).
MONASTERIES
Klausen / Chiusa
Monastery of Säben
The capital location of the Eisacktal is Klausen, a romantic city with small alleys at the foot of the monastery of Säben. By foot you reach the monastery in approx. 45 minutes. The monastery is one of the oldest pilgrimage locations of Tyrol.
Brixen / Bressanone
Monastery of Neustift
The monastery was founded in 1142 as a religious and cultural centre and is till today entrusted to the order of the Augustine canons. A place of cultural exchange, precious frescoes, gothic panel paintings and illuminated manuscripts. A place of playful forms of the baroque, gothic lines and romantic austerity. A place for music and art, science and research, prayer and meditation, talk and community.
